Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire 2013 Review

Love the movie, love the name but can't say I love the car that much. Outlander is good, but certainly not the "outstanding" as it is being touted. It is however one of the few mid-sized SUVs to offer seven seats which is a big plus  even if they're rather small.

VALUE

Comes in ES, LS and Aspire specifications, priced from $28,990. Our test vehicle, the top of the line Aspire will set you back a hefty $43,490 and it's another $2000 for the diesel. It's a fair old wack for a mid-sized SUV, although competitive with others in the segment  but it's worth seeing what the competition has to offer.

As well as additional safety features the Premium option adds a power tailgate and new 7 inch touch panel satnav system. Audio is also upgraded to the Rockford Fosgate Premium system with nine speakers including four tweeters and a 10-inch sub.

TECHNOLOGY

Impressed they can fit seven seats into a wagon this size, bearing in mind it's 23cm shorter than a Territory. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel is the pick of the bunch, but the most expensive.

It produces 110kW of power and 360Nm of torque from a low 1500 revs. It's paired with a six-speed auto, complete with paddle shifts  unlike petrol models which get a CVT.

DESIGN

Can't quite put my finger on it but there's something flawed in the latest interpretation of Mitsubishi's design DNA. The removal of flared fenders certainly takes away some of its masculinity.

Dare I say it doesn't look as good as the previous model? No quibbles with the standard of trim inside which is first rate, apart from the appalling wood inlays either side of the piano black centre instrument cluster say what?

Incidently they've moved the third row seats backwards to give rear passengers more room, but at the expense of load capacity.

DRIVING

Significantly, the diesel lugs a lot. By that I mean it struggles in high gear rather than change down, all in the name of better fuel economy. In Eco mode, it feels even worse so keep that Eco button switched off.

All-wheel drive also has an Eco mode which I interpret as meaning two-wheel drive, also in the name of better economy. But, plant the right foot, and the thing takes off pedal off and it returns largely uninspiring performance.

Rated at 5.8 litres/100km, we were getting between 6 and 7 litres/100km from the 60 litre tank (although you need to set the trip computer to manual or it resets every time you start the engine).

The diesel by the way can tow up to 2 tonnes. The automatic emergency braking system is good but active cruise is a royal pain in the butt.

The gap it leaves beween you and the car in front is too large and other drivers are constantly cutting in. Touted as 3D the satnav graphics are ordinary compared to some and the system doesn't warn of speed cameras. In operation, we also found the power tailgate unresponsive to the key fob.

SAFETY

As well as achieving the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, the all-new Outlander comes with a comprehensive range of safety features including seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control systems and a reversing camera.

The Aspire adds Forward Collision Mitigation System (FCM) which detects obstacles on the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes and Adaptive Cruise Control System which automatically keeps as safe distance from the car in front.

VERDICT

In two minds about this car. On the one hand it ticks all the boxes in terms of a well equipped, seven seat family bus. On the other, the dynamics are uninspiring and we'd be in real danger of nodding off.

Mitsubishi Outlander
Price: from $28,990 (petrol) from $40,990 (diesel)
Warranty: 5 years/130,000km
Service interval: 15,000km
Crash rating:  5 star ANCAP
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, TC, ESC, HSC (Hill Start Control)
Engine: 2.2L four-cylinder turbo diesel, 110kW/360Nm
Transmission: 6-speed auto, AWD
Dimensions: 4.65m (L), 2.02 (W), 1.8m (H)
Weight: 1610kg
Spare: Full size
Thirst: Diesel 5.3L/100km, 153g/km CO2