2014 Mitsubishi Outlander updated

Mitsubishi has sent its Outlander to the plastic surgeon so its mug matches the hybrid version. With the world's first plug-in SUV due in a few weeks, the petrol and turbo diesel Outlanders are facelifted and generally enhanced.

The Outlander is the brand's quiet achiever, tallying 9382 sales last year thanks to its versatile seven-seat interior, decent diesel - which gets a proper automatic - and modicum of off-road ability. The hybrid might help catch up with the compact SUV rivals - the all-conquering Mazda CX-5 (which last year outsold it two to one), Toyota's RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda's CR-V and Nissan's X-Trail.

Available now, the updated Outlander range gets a new twin-blade grille, pronounced front bumper and a beefed-up skid plate to give the snout an aggressive look, something the current ungainly model lacks.  The cabin gets a minor freshen up. Entry-level ES and LS models have new cloth and cloth-leather trim respectively.

The petrol models have extra sound deadening to reduce cabin noise and, Mitsubishi says, upgraded CVTs deliver better all-round performance - these were key criticisms of the current model. The turbo diesels - easily the pick - drop fuel economy from a not-greedy 6.2L/100kn to 5.8L.

Suspension upgrades are aimed at improving roll control for better handling and cornering stability but not - we hope - at the expense of ride quality, for which the current Outlander stands out.

Under heavy braking , the hazard lights flash to advise other drivers of an emergency stop, a feature fast becoming standard fare for good reason. Safety highlights already include seven airbags, rear parking sensors and camera and stability control.

Mitsubishi marketing executive director Tony Principe says the upgraded Outlander line-up is part of the brand's strategy to compete in the medium SUV segment. Pricing for the range starts at $27,740 for the ES 2.0-litre petrol front-wheel drive model, with five-speed manual gearbox - this is a $100 increase on the outgoing model. The ES with CVT is $29,990.

Base models have five seats, seven airbags, cruise control, 18-inch alloys and fog lamps and camera, Bluetooth, 18-inch alloy wheels and foglights. Upgrading to the 4WD ES 2.4 means another $100 rise to $32,990. Prices for the mid-spec LS range has not changed - the 2.0-litre petrol front-driver remains at $33,490, the 2.4-litre CVT-equipped petrol 4WD model is $36,490 and the LS 2.2-litre turbo diesel six-speed auto 4WD is unchanged at $39,490.

For the extra outlay there's a larger, colour touchscreen for the infotainment unit, which also gets satnav. There are dual-zone climate control, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers, the option of seven seats and the 2.2-litre turbo diesel powerplant.

The flagship Aspire 2.4-litre petrol 4WD has risen by $100 to $43,890 and the 2.2-litre turbo diesel equivalent has risen by the same amount to $46,890. Seven seats are standard fare, as are sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, leather trim, heated front seats with power adjustment for the driver, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems, xenon headlights, LED tail- ights and powered tailgate. Metallic and pearlescent paint remain on the options list across the range and cost an extra $495.