by Aiden Eksteen
If automakers are seen as the birth parents of the cars that they manufacture, then Mitsubishi is a neglectful single parent and the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport suffers from what some refer to as the "Cinderella phenomenon". It's been so disregarded that it hasn't matured beyond its first-generational guise over the span of a full decade, and its neglect already began to show a long time ago. It may be a sporty-looking and endearing subcompact crossover SUV, but it's doggedly plagued by the wimpy, low-horsepower, naturally aspirated motors Mitsubishi continues to insist on, while newer or more fostered cars are benefiting from more modern turbocharged engines. In all fairness, Mitsubishi has been applying enhancements and alterations here and there to keep the Outlander Sport crossover alive over the years - the 2021 model coming with an extended trim line and an impressively comprehensive driver-assist suite, but these scraps have done very little to improve its standing alongside peers such as the Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona. For how much longer can the Outlander Sport crossover live on scraps alone?
This year, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport receives a superior arsenal of advanced safety gear. Every trim level now receives the standard fitment of lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation, and automatic high beams. The automaker has introduced a new LE trim with sporty elements such as black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black grille, and red accent stitching in the cabin. There have been numerous changes to the BE trim, which gets its own black wheels, special badging, a rear spoiler, and more. Another of the newest additions is the entry-level S model that lowers the starting price but can only be had in FWD guise. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi hasn't done anything to remedy the wapowertrains and the sense that the cabin is built from cheap-feeling materials
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 S |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$20,995 |
| 2.0 ES |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$22,995 |
| 2.0 LE |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$23,995 |
| 2.0 SE |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$24,695 |
| 2.0 BE |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$25,195 |
Most, if not all, new crossover SUVs are being released with powerful, refined, and efficient turbocharged powertrains, but being a decade old now, the 2021 Outlander Sport is damned by outmoded naturally aspirated units. The newer turbo engines provide more power and are more fuel-efficient at the same time; they just make more sense. If anything, the Outlander Sport looks quite cool, but it falls behind in all of the aspects that really matter. It doesn't match up to the polished ride and handling, spaciousness, comfort, and cargo capacity of its many contemporaries. The Outlander's pricing in the USA may seem appealing at first, but superb and high-value 5-door vehicles such as the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-30 come in at similar prices. The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's crashworthiness review isn't up to par, either. Mitsubishi has the chance to introduce an excellent vehicle going forward but, for now, the Outlander Sport is difficult to recommend.
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV's price starts at $20,995, but if you're settling for it, we'd suggest going for the model that offers the most value - the brand new LE. Its black-painted grille accents, black mirror caps, and 18-inch black alloy wheels give it a bit of a sportier look. Within the cabin, the LE boasts some sporty aesthetic additions that spruce up the otherwise drab impression, including leather-clad steering wheels and red accent stitching. It also comes standard-fit with a larger eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that comes inclusive with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. Both front seats also come with heating, which is really great for those cold winter months.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo