Mitsubishi's Outlander has a fair whack of road presence for a compact SUV.
There is a bold but stylish rendition of the familiar Mitsubishi family nose, strong profile lines and a tapered rear roof line that helps distinguish the Outlander from me-too rivals.
It remains one of the more handsome offerings in this class. And, for a time, the Outlander with its optional V6 was one of those with an advantage over the likes of Toyota's RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.
That has changed since Toyota added a V6 to the RAV4 range, but the Outlander may still lay claim to being one of the first in this soft-road business of confusing those lines between compact and medium SUV segments.
To further its case as a “big compact” the Outlander is now available with seven seats, even if that third row is suitable only for the smallest of passengers.
This second generation machine is a little bigger than the first. It is 4.6 metres long and 1800mm high, enough for decent accommodation for four adults in the first two rows and room for luggage (packed tight) sitting above a space saver tyre.
The four-cylinder Outlander has been quite capable in its own right, providing an easy drive around town or down the track.
But the three-litre V6 with its 24 valves and variable valve timing is the one for a sporting blast down an old dirt road.
The V6; mated here to a Continuously Variable Transmission; runs out to 162kW at 6250rpm. The shift to maximum power and highway (or back road) speeds can be helped along by flicking through the six-step transmission; with the help of paddle shifters placed behind the steering wheel or the traditional transmission shift lever.
The only downside to taking full advantage of this willing, and fun, engine-transmission combination is a little extra fuel. Mitsubishi say the V6 Outlander should deliver 10.9 litres per 100km, but spirited driving will see that blow out to more like 13 litres per 100km.
The VRX version is the smartest, most expensive of the Outlander mob.
It misses out on little, from nine-speaker stereo with sub-woofer to 18-inch wheels, automatic airconditioning plus side and curtain airbags.
That comes on top of the Outlander's standard gear including keyless entry and engine start, cruise control, roof rails, ABS and Mitsubishi's Active Select all-wheel-drive system. This system allows for two-wheel drive from the front, automatic all-wheel drive with sensors telling the electronics to send drive to the rear if traction is found wanting, and all-wheel drive locked with torque shared around the four wheels.
As in most systems these days, this is a pretty painless, unobtrusive business.
The auto-mode is a useful piece of work for running along a bush track where surfaces may vary instantly and constantly.
It is also handy for pulling back out of washaways or away from slow and loose corners.
The VRX also arrives with stability control, another piece of technology, which allows a driver to make the most of the V6's willingness to have a go.
The Outlander has a MacPherson front strut and trailing arm, multilink set-up on the rear. The front track is a fair 45mm wider than before, while the rear end scores mono-tube shock absorbers similar to that found in Mitsubishi's hotter Lancers.
The result of all this mechanical and electronic business is a compact wagon, which can be hustled along with confidence, for the Outlander's on and off-road manners are among the best in this business.
While lighter than its predecessor, the Outlander's body is stronger and more rigid. All this helps the suspension and the electronics make the most of their jobs.
The cabin stands up to the rest of the pack with good fit and finish, a comfortable front cabin, plenty of storage spots and good driving position. There is now a handbrake lever, unlike the previous wagon's foot-operated parking brake.
Speedometer and tachometer are big and clear, sitting either side of digital read-outs for other functions, including average fuel consumption and average speed.
It is all very sporting in style, even if there may be debate about that red-tinged illumination to the instruments.
Aside from the questionable (even if ubiquitous) use of a temporary spare wheel for an SUV, today's ZG Mitsubishi Outlander has some decent attributes over the original ZF model and some current, if sometimes cheaper, rivals.
It is not a tough off-roader, but it is a very capable soft roader with presence and, in V6 guise, a decent amount of performance well handled by its chassis engineering.
Mitsubishi Outlander VRX
Price: $43,190-$47,990
Body: 4-door wagon
Engine: 3 litre V6
Power: 162kW @ 6250rpm
Torque: 276Nm @ 4000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Wheels: 18-inch
Dimensions (MM): 4640 (l), 1800 (w), 1720 (h), 210 (clearance)
Weight: 1640kg
Towing: 1600kg
Price: $43,190 to $47,990 for seven-seater
but I've test driven the V6 6speed tiptronic with paddle shift and would have to say I would seriously consider it if I was buying one, it still allows gear changes and 'others' who are auto only can also drive it ...
Cheap tyres 
Credit crunch 
Ford Fiesta 
Hyundai ix35
