2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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?

The Outlander Sport SUV has been ill-fated by a slew of vexingly weak engines since its arrival on the market, and that has, unfortunately, not changed. Mitsubishi employs the service of a 2.0-liter MIVEC double-overhead camshaft inline-4-cylinder gas engine that spurts out only 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Exclusively powering the top-spec GT is a slightly more competent 2.4-liter inline-4 motor that's been modulated to produce up to 168 hp and 167 lb-ft. Both engines really need to be pressed to deliver any decent level of performance and the continuously variable automatic transmission they come tethered with only makes driving at lower speeds that much more insufferable. The entry-spec S is offered solely in front-wheel drive, while the remainder of the line is offered with the option of all-wheel drive.

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.