2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review: Superficial Modernity

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?

Read in this review:

6.8
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2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2020 Outlander Sport?

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

Pros and Cons

  • Extended advanced driver-assist suite
  • Good selection of standard features
  • Fairly attractive value proposition
  • Class-leading warranty coverage
  • Vexingly listless entry-spec engine
  • Ride quality is jittery at low speeds
  • Cabin permeates a lot of road noise
  • Subpar safety rating and reliability

What's the Price of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Best Deals on 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Trims

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
See All 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Trims and Specs

2021 Outlander Sport Exterior

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Front View Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Rearward Vision Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Forward Vision Mitsubishi
See All 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Exterior Photos

Dimensions

  • Length 171.9 in
  • Wheelbase 105.1 in
  • Height 64.8 in
  • Max Width 71.3 in
  • Front Width 60.6 in
  • Rear Width 60.6 in
  • Curb Weight 3,120.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

  • Sunshine Orange Metallic +$395
  • Diamond White Pearl +$395
  • Red Diamond +$595
  • Labrador Black Metallic
  • Alloy Silver Metallic
  • Oak Brown Metallic
  • Octane Blue Metallic
  • Mercury Gray Metallic

2021 Outlander Sport Performance

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Front View Driving Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Rear View Driving Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Gearbox Controls Mitsubishi

Engine and Transmission

  • Engines
    2.0L Inline-4 Gas, 2.4L Inline-4 Gas
  • Transmission
    Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
  • Drivetrains
    4X4, FWD

2021 Outlander Sport Interior

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Central Console Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Dashboard Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Driver Area Mitsubishi
See All 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

  • Seating capacity
    5-seater
  • Front Leg Room 41.6 in
  • Front Head Room 39.4 in
  • Rear Leg Room 36.3 in
  • Rear Head Room 37.9 in

2021 Outlander Sport Trunk and Cargo Space

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Front Seats Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Back Seats Mitsubishi
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Taillights Mitsubishi

2021 Outlander Sport Safety and Reliability

Warranty

  • Basic:
    5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
  • Drivetrain:
    10 Years \ 100,000 Miles
  • Corrosion:
    7 Years \ 100,000 Miles
  • Roadside Assistance:
    5 Years \ Unlimited Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

  • Overall Rating
  • Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
  • Side Crash Rating
  • Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport A Good SUV?

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.

What Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Model Should I Buy?

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.

Check out other Mitsubishi Outlander Styles

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