2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Test Drive Review: An All-New Chapter

First arriving in 2003 as a Subaru Outback-style lifted wagon, the Mitsubishi Outlander has now entered its fourth generation with a full remodel for 2022. This latest Outlander might be the most significant departure yet, as it now rides on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-CD platform shared with the current Nissan Rogue. Though the Outlander and Rogue use the same underpinnings, you'd be hard-pressed to spot the similarities. The compact Outlander crossover is longer, wider, and taller than the Rogue, and features unique styling based on the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept.

If you include the Plug-In Hybrid, which is reviewed separately, the Outlander was Mitsubishi's best-selling vehicle in 2020, even above the popular Outlander Sport. It competes in the fierce compact crossover segment, which includes standouts like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4 among others. Borrowing technology from Nissan has helped catapult the Outlander forward in quality, so is it finally ready to earn a spot as a well-recommended vehicle? After spending a week in a fully-loaded Outlander SEL, the outlook looks positive.

2022 Outlander Exterior

Dimensions

2022 Outlander Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

If you've driven the latest Nissan Rogue, you'd be hard-pressed to notice any major difference when you compare how the Outlander drives. Both vehicles use the same drivetrain, so their acceleration and character is nearly identical. It's not a quick car, but the Outlander feels reasonably peppy when kept under half throttle. Though we couldn't drive both SUVs back-to-back, we remember the Rogue riding a bit better on rough roads. This is likely due to the Outlander's larger 20-inch wheels on the SEL model; the Rogue is only available with 19-inch wheels.

Nothing about the Outlander made us jump for joy, but there's little to dislike here. The steering is far from feelingless and the chassis can handle far more than the average owner will ever throw at it. Overall, the Outlander feels comfortable, even on poor roads, and it excels on the highway. We were highly impressed by the Mi-Pilot Assist Assist features, which bundle lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Essentially a renamed version of Nissan's ProPilot Assist, Mi-Pilot Assist Assist is among the best driver assist systems we've tested at this price point.

2022 Outlander Interior

2022 Outlander Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander A Good car?

Our last review of the Mitsubishi Outlander was scathing. The heading summed it up perfectly. "New model can't come soon enough." Well, the new model is finally here, and it was worth the wait. We didn't expect the 2022 Outlander to borrow so heavily from Nissan, but the platform sharing has clearly resulted in an improved product. Every detail on this new Outlander is improved; the styling no longer looks generic, the interior feels high-quality, the technology is up-to-date, and the third-row gives it a unique selling point over other compact crossover models, even if it isn't usable on long journeys.

The compact SUV segment is still highly competitive in the USA, so only time will tell if the Outlander can stand up against strong rivals like the RAV4, CR-V, and even its platform stablemate, the Rogue. If the third row isn't a selling point, perhaps Mitsubishi's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and five-year/60,000-mile limited warranties will help draw buyers away from the Nissan Rogue. The Outlander is also pretty affordable starting at $25,795, just undercutting its platform stablemate by less than $100. It may not leap off the page, but for the first time in recent memory, we could easily recommend this Mitsubishi. We hope the forthcoming plug-in hybrid option will resolve the lackluster powertrain, but even as is, this is a solid compact crossover from the Japanese company.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Comparisons

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue and Outlander are essentially the same car, right down to the wheelbase. The question is, who did it best? Well, the Outlander gets seven seats as standard, but they're tiny enough not to matter. Unless you need them for the school run, that is. Nissan's Rogue has the same power output and a quality interior with loads of features. The Rogue is more efficient thanks to a lower curb weight, and it received a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS, while the Outlander is yet to be tested. We think the Outlander will achieve the same once it's evaluated. Mitsubishi has done a decent job of giving the Outlander a fair amount of cargo space, though, and the front two rows get more legroom. Both models are also within a few hundred bucks of each other. Ultimately, if you don't rely on the third row to make the decision for you, which you buy will likely come down to brand preference as these two are ultimately too close to differentiate otherwise. Except for the warranty coverage - Mitsubishi wins hands down in that department!

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs Kia Sorento

The Sorento is more expensive by about $4,000, but you do get a lot more in return. For the price of a base-level Sorento, you can get a mid-spec Outlander. Both, however, are powered by 2.5-liter naturally aspirated motors. The Kia's produces 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque, but it sends the power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This makes a world of difference in the way it drives, and it's only 1 mpg thirstier overall. It also comes standard with seven seats, but the trunk is larger with all seats in place because the Sorento is actually a midsized SUV, not a compact. The standard specification is more or less the same, as is the quality of the interior. It received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

To our eyes, the Sorento looks better, less divisive and a lot more elegant. We also feel it drives better. If it were our money, we'd spend it on the Sorento. It's worth the little bit extra and matches the Outlander's stellar warranty coverage.