2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Reviews

When launched at the start of 2003 the Mitsubishi Outlander replaced the Mitsubishi iO, a 4WD that had not sold particularly well. Mitsubishi had been in the vanguard of the affordable recreational 4WD market since the 1980s, but the little iO was aimed at the semi-serious 4WD buyer and was relatively expensive.Mitsubishi’s move into the crossover segment with the Outlander changed that way of thinking and it soon began to gather a lot of supporters. It continues to sell well to this day and an all-new model seems sure to further expand interest when it arrives down under in a few months time.We anticipate a surge of trade-ins of Outlanders to buy the new model and this could lead to some excellent deals for used buyers as dealers shift the trades. No promises, though...Styling has long been a much talked about feature of the Mitsubishi Outlander.The initial model had a prominent nose that some liked and others hated. The standout nose was removed in 2006, replaced by a smoother shape with the introduction of a slightly larger new model. The move to the Mitsubishi ‘jetfighter’ front grille in 2009 gained a lot more praise for its radical shape. Interestingly, the upcoming new model has again gone for a more conservative design.Though not really aimed at off-road driving, the 4WD system is reasonably sophisticated for its type and the Outlander can competently cope with rough tracks, beaches and corrugated dirt when driven correctly. On-road the Mitsubishi Outlander is capable and generally quiet and comfortable to ride in. Some owners complain about the amount of tyre noise on coarse-chip roads, others say they don’t really notice it.Inside, there’s space for two adults and three children with good legroom and head space. Three adults can be carried in the back seat, but may find themselves on the squeezy side. The optional third-row seat is strictly for tiny kids and even then isn’t particularly comfortable. It steals most of the luggage area, but that’s hardly unusual in this class of compact vehicle. Otherwise boot space is good and the Outlander is easy to load, even more so from the mid 2004 facelift.The 2004 reworking was interesting in that a lot of the work was done by the engineering team at Mitsubishi Australia for global use. The biggest changes were at the rear, with a wider tailgate and styling mods that gave it more presence in the appearance stakes. Also for 2004, Mitsubishi’s variable valve timing was added to the engine. Capacity of the single-cam, four-cylinder powerplant remains at the 2.4 litres, but stronger torque with a good spread made it enjoyable to drive.Disc brakes, with ABS and EBD were fitted to all four wheels to cope with the added engine output when the four-cylinder engine was upgraded. Previously some had criticised the Outlander for having drum brakes at the rear. The optional 3.0-litre V6 engine, though relatively expensive, is the powerplant of choice amongst those who like to drive. It can be quite thirsty, particularly when worked hard.Transmissions are manual and automatic with the added efficiency of continuously variable transmission being used in the latter from the 2006 model. Some don’t like the sound of a CVT but once you become accustomed to it the audio differences soon become unnoticed. Mitsubishi Australia is a well-established player in the local Australian scene having been here for over forty years. Though the company no longer builds vehicles locally it has a large, well-organised dealer network that’s widespread.Due to the company’s success in the 4WD market with the Pajero and Challenger there are more dealers in country areas than is usual with crossover vehicles that compete with the Outlander. We hear no real complaints about spare part pricing or availability. A good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work due to the generous under bonnet and under-car accessibility. Safety related items should only be touched by professionals.Insurance rates seem to vary more than normal among the major companies so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. As always, make sure you are doing accurate comparisons when looking at the various policy features.WHAT TO LOOK FOROutlander is well-built and generally reliable but, as always, recommend a professional inspection after you've done initial checks to the best of your technical knowledge. Though it’s nominally a 4WD few Outlanders are taken off road so if you see any signs of body or under body damage - check the lower corners of the bumpers and the door sills - it’s probably best to look for another one.Engines are strong units in the Mitsubishi manner. A powerplant that’s reluctant to start when cold, or which hesitates at any time is a cause for concern. Check the front of a four-cylinder engine for water stains indicating possible water pump troubles. We have heard of a few problems in continuously variable transmissions. During your test drive it should be quiet and smooth. If unsure, have a Mitsubishi mechanic check it out.Manual gearboxes should be light and smooth in operation. When they eventually wear out, the change down from third to second is usually the first to give trouble. Listen for noises and feel for a reluctance to go into gear. Look over the interior for signs of rough use, particularly in the back seats if kids have run amok.CAR BUYING TIPCrossover SUVs that go seriously off road are rare and it’s probably best to pass them up - unless the price is very favourable.  

Graham Smith reviews the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander as a used buy.

There’s a tinge of green punctuating the hard red colour of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula landscape for the launch of the Mitsubishi Triton and Outlander. But still more than enough red to promise a decent dust-gauntlet for seals and filters.On descent into Mt Ive Station, there's a line-up of pre-production machinery from Mitsubishi ready to test seals, tyre durability and underbody protection.The dirt strip at Mt Ive Station looks rougher than a shearer's chin but after a remarkably smooth touchdown we're wandering across the strip towards the new Outlander compact SUV and its Triton stablemate.One looks decidedly out of place, the other comfortable among the sheds, huts and homesteads of Mt Ive - but the new-look Outlander has more grit than first impressions suggest.The initial drive out of the homestead showed that despite decent rains there was still plenty of dust. And both models dealt with the journey over rough farm tracks and half-decent faster dirt roads in a reasonable manner.Drivetrain The new-look Triton is not a massive departure from the outgoing model and the six-speed manual turbodiesel 4WD GLX-R is quickly firming as the pick of the crop.The top-spec model is propelled by a new 2.5-litre variable-geometry turbodiesel that offers 131kW and 400Nm, which despite being 0.7 of a litre smaller than the outgoing powerplant offers 11 per cent more power, 17 per cent more torque and nine per cent better fuel economy at 8.3 litres per 100km.Mitsubishi says that's more power than the Toyota HiLux (which just pips the Triton on fuel use), Holden's Colorado, Nissan Navara (which is the only one with more torque), the Ford Ranger and the Mazda BT-50.The automatic models - four-speed autos on all bar the GLX-R, which gets a new five-speed - have to make do with 350Nm and claim 9.3l/100km, but the automatic drivetrain is not as sharp as the manual.The two-wheel drive models make do with the carry-over 2.4-litre 94kW/194Nm petrol and 2.5-litre 100kW/314Nm turbodiesel four-cylinder engines.Variants and pricing Mitsubishi indicated that there would be no big price rises within the upgrade and the prices have remained largely unchanged.The new Triton GLX single cab-chassis 4WD starts from $34,590 for the diesel manual, with the auto adding $2000 across the range; the GLX dual-cab 2.5 diesel manual pickup starts from $41,990.The GL-R dual-cab 4WD starts from $44,990 and the GLX-R dual-cab 4WD is priced from $47,990.Equipment and fit-out The GLX-R sits on 17in wheels and on faster unsealed roads points nicely - it feels better than smaller-wheeled Triton GL-R models that we sampled on the Gawler Ranges roads. The GLX-R gets standard Super Select on-the-fly four-wheel drive system, as well as stability and traction control, with the option of a rear diff lock.Range-wide safety gear includes dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes, with brakeforce distribution. Stability and traction control, as well as side and curtain airbags are available as options. The stability control is unobtrusive in its applications and even with the electronics off the Triton's all-wheel drive has ample traction.Driving The new diesel is quiet and delivers its outputs like a petrol engine. With road pressures in the tyres, a short sand dune stint showed the strong power delivery of the diesel, which maintained the Triton's progress despite thick, boggy sand.It was prone to push the nose wide and kept the driver busy at the wheel but much of that would be negated of normal sand driving pressures had been applied.The Tritons were also allowed onto hallowed speed-record ground - despite some water on the surface of Lake Gairdner, the salt crust was still more than hard enough to sustain a drive out to where the salt-racers would normally gather ... although our speeds were substantially less.The Outlanders were kept out of the serious rock-hopping and deep-sand components of the drive program, but were expected to keep up with the new Triton - as well as the Pajero lead and ‘tail-end Charlie’ cars - and did so over rutted rocky tracks, giving the underbody the odd clang along the way.The Tritons didn't escape unscathed either - the new Triton tray length now stands at 1505mm, with the tray height of 460mm, a 14 per cent increase. Rock shelfs and outcrops didn't take long to change the rear bumper's parallel alignment with the rear tailgate, the extra length of the new vehicle's rear tray contributing a little perhaps.A tow bar might offset some of the rear rearrangement, and with increased towing capacities the Triton will get on more shopping lists.The four-wheel drive range is up from 2500kg to 2700kg on 4WD long-bed dual-cab and 3000 kg on all other four-wheel drives - the boffins blaming the increased chassis length for the difference.The Outlander has undergone some major rhinoplasty, with the Lancer being the donor - the rear has been filled out a little but it’s the front end that now has the aggressive wide-open family snout.The new all-wheel drive system has Tarmac, Snow and Lock modes, offering similar choices to its sports Lancer Ralliart and Evo brethren via different means. Where the all-wheel drive system of the Lancer has hydraulics to apportion the drive, the Outlander uses electrics to limit wheelspin.The initial recommendation was to use the snow setting on the loose gravel tracks but the wandering nose and tail prompted a test of the lock mode, which dealt better with the loose surface.The road rubber on both models remained intact throughout the drive, despite some corporal punishment on the rocky roads, but grip suffers - tyres with more off-road bias would probably make quite a difference.Both models showed they could take on tough terrain without cause for concern. The more aggressive looking Outlander offers more to those looking to go a little further off the beaten track and the new turbodiesel will make sure the Triton has no problems maintaining the light-commercial's strong recent sales history.Mitsubishi Triton and Outlander Price: from $34,590.Engine: 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail intercooled turbodiesel four-cylinder.Transmission: five-speed manual or four-speed (GLX-R five-speed) automatic, four-wheel drive.Power: 131kW @ 4000rpm.Torque: 400Nm @ 2000rpm (auto 350Nm).Economy: 9.3 litres/100km