Mitsubishi Reviews

Murray Hubbard road tests and reviews the 2015 Mitsubishi Triton at its Australian launch.

Joshua Dowling reviews the Mitsubishi Triton ute, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Murray Hubbard road tests and reviews the Mitsubishi Outlander with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

New look may not not be enough to save this mid-size offroader from an onslaught by more modern rivalsNo one wins by a nose in the car game but a facelift for Mitsubishi's Outlander should give it a bigger stake in the mid-sized SUV market.The makeover to the car that launched in 2012 extends from a much-improved front end to better quality interior fabrics and improved sound deadening, while retaining the build quality and reliability that have helped keep the vehicle on shopping lists despite a slew of recent arrivals.Those new rivals have largely focused on on-road ability, giving the Outlander a point of difference as a car still capable of running in the roughThe drivetrains are essentially unchanged and that isn't a bad thing. The 2.0-litre petrol is restricted to front-wheel drive applications but is on a par with its key rivals in outputs and undercuts most in terms of fuel use. It is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox in the entry level LS, priced from $28,490 (up from $27,740) but can also be had with a continuously variable transmission in LS spec for another $2000The 2.4-litre petrol engine powers the all-wheel drive variants and is exclusively mated to a CVT.Prices start at $33,490 for the LS, step up to $36,490 for the seven-seat XLS and wind out at $43,490 for the Exceed.The Outlander is undeniably a more attractive vehicle with its new "design shield" front stylingThe 2.2-litre turbodiesel uses a six-speed auto to transmit power to all wheels, and is a match for all but the Mazda CX-5's diesel in performance. Prices begin at $39,490To put that into context, the Mazda kicks off at $27,190 and goes to $50,610 and the Nissan X-Trail — the only other mid-sized SUV to have seven seats — costs $27,990-$46,580.All new Outlanders ride on 18-inch alloys, pick up LED daytime running lights and tail lamps and boast silver roof rails.The Outlander is undeniably a more attractive vehicle with its new "design shield" front styling and up updated posterior. A chrome strip flowing from the leading edge of the headlamps to the fog lights brings some cohesion to the front, backed by the revised twin-strip grille.The most obvious change inside is a new steering wheel.The higher quality interior materials are only skin deep on the door armrests, which feel like they have the flimsiest sliver of foam under the cloth/leatherette trim.The criticisms of the existing Outlander have been ameliorated rather than addressed in the midlife makeover.The "play" in the steering wheel (how much it moves before the wheels start to turn) isn't an issue in a car that will spend a lot of its time doing school runs, and therefore requires regular over-the-shoulder glances to keep the kids in line. No one wants to veer into the adjacent lane while doing that, so it makes perfect sense. The steering is still too light for mine but it now loads up more consistently as the wheel is turned.The suspension is better than before but still not up with the bestLikewise the noise from the wheels on coarse road surfaces has been eased, not eliminated. The overall quietness of the Outlander's more insulated cabin probably makes this a subjective observation and we'll reserve final judgement until we've had the car for a week-long test drive.The suspension is better than before but still not up with the best. It continues to be abrupt on small sharp-edged bumps, like Sydney's concrete edges, yet the car wallows over larger obstacles — speed humps — and feels front heavy, though it is an improvement over its predecessor.That trade-off may well be down to the fact the Outlander is capable of going off-road, where softer springs help keep the car settled on rutted tracks.The class-leading Mazda CX-5 makes no such concessions — Mazda obviously doesn't expect the majority of its mid-sized SUVs to see much beyond a graded gravel track and has sprung it accordingly.Still, for those who genuinely want a utility vehicle, as distinct from a softroader, the Outlander remains one of the few options. That versatility is enhanced by the optional 7-seat configuration (space limits the third-row to occasional use), giving parents the ability to pick up a small tribe of kids should the occasion demand.Reinforced suspension mounts and the resultant reduction in body roll means those kids are also now less likely to develop carsickness.The peoplemover potential, its ability to handle moderate off-road work and its hybrid variant means the Outlander aligns more closely with the Nissan X-Trail than the CX-5.

Japanese designed and built to a high quality, Mitsubishi Lancer is at the forefront in the reliability stakes, so has long been popular on the used-car scene in Australia.The Lancer began life as a small car, then gradually morphed into a medium model. From the new model launched in October 2007 it can be used as a family car if the kids aren’t yet into their hulking teenage years.Interior space is good in the front seats in all models. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the older hatches, but is generally fine in the sedans and wagons due to their extended rooflines.Lancer comes with a big variety of bodies: two-door coupes, three-door hatches, four-door sedans, five-door hatchbacks and five-door station wagons. Not all bodies were on offer at all times.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ployThree-door hatchbacks built prior to 1996 were called Lancers, but the name was changed to Mitsubishi Mirage with the introduction of the new model of that year.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ploy to try and create a new niche for the three-door. Imports of the Lancer-based Mirage ceased in 2004 although the name was reintroduced in 2013, this time in a small five-door hatchback.Ride comfort in the standard Lancers is generally good, though rough Australian backroads can sometimes knock them about. This improved with later models, but try for yourself if you do a lot of country driving.Engines are all four-cylinder units, with a big spread of capacities; 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 and finally 2.4 litres. The marketing strategy over the years saw the largest engine at any one time being first introduced in the upmarket models then gradually making its way down the line.The ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performanceThe 2.4-litre powerplant has plenty of torque, giving the car excellent performance and safe overtaking, yet it doesn’t use a lot more fuel than the other powerplants.Manual gearboxes are all five-speed units. Automatic transmissions from 1996 had four-speeds. The auto with the 2.4-litre engine has tiptronic functions in case the driver wants to override the computer and get more revs out of the engine.If you do want real excitement, the ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performance, but cost big bucks. However, the Lancer MR coupe of 1997 to 2004, while tamer than the Evo is still fun thanks to its firmer suspension and sharper steering.Spare parts and repair prices are about average for this class and the Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is widespread and efficient.The Lancer is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, with good underbonnet space and nothing particularly tricky in its layout.Insurance charges are about average for the class in all but the sportier variants. You may need to raise a big loan to cover an Evo if you’re under the age of 25.Though Mitsubishi has pulled out of local manufacture the company continues to operate as a major player here, now exclusively with imported cars. Lancer is at the vanguard of the new Mitsubishi Australia.If possible, start the engine when it is completely cold. It should fire up within a couple of seconds and idle smoothly and quietly straight away.If the engine puffs oily smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration it may be due for an overhaul.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to useFeel for an automatic transmission that is slow to engage gear or is inclined to change up and down unnecessarily.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to use. If not there could be troubles - fast changes down from third to second usually show the problem first.Rust normally only gets into the body following poor quality panel repairs, but look over the lower areas of the body and the bottom corners of the doors, tailgate or bootlid just in case. Also look at the surrounds of the front and rear windscreens.Check for panel repairs by looking for ripples in the panels; paint that doesn’t match from one panel to another; and tiny spots of paint on glass, badges, body trim and so on.Don’t even think of buying until you've had a full professional inspectionDo a complete check of all interior surfaces, in particular the tops of the dashboard and the rear parcel shelf that may have drive out and cracked.Look for rips in the seats, excess wear in the carpets and for damage in the luggage area.

In the words of the maker Mitsubishi, the Lancer has been 'tweaked' for the new year to include a revised model range with price cuts, more features, door mirrors with side repeater lamps, emergency stop flashers and a new style of door trims.The Lancer is now available from just $18,990, plus on-road costs. That's for the ES Sport manual sedan, powered by a 110kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, while the sedans are topped out by the XLS manual at $26,490. Automatic transmission adds $2000 across the range. The sporty Lancer GSR Sportback we road tested is powered by a 125kW 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and is available with a CVT automatic for $23,990, reduced from $25,240. Ours had the automatic transmission.In keeping with its sports orientation, the Lancer GSR Sportback features 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, Ralliart front grille, side skirts, rear spoiler, sports front seats and sports drilled-look pedals.The cabin offers strong protection in the event of an accidentOther standard features are a reversing camera, voice activated Bluetooth with audio streaming, climate-control air-conditioning, privacy glass, Smart Key, rain sensing wipers, dusk sensing lamps and a 6.1-inch full colour touchscreen with iPod compatibility.The sporty 2.4-litre engine, with the choice of five-speed manual or a CVT with steering wheel paddle shifts, delivers a power output of 125kW and 226Nm of torque, making it one of the best non-turbos around.Housed in Mitsubishi's innovative Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body, the cabin offers strong protection in the event of an accident.Coupled with a raft of electronic safety features including active stability control, active traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution with brake assist technology, seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters on the front, child restraint anchorage points and two Isofix child seat anchor points in the rear, it all adds up to a top five-star ANCAP safety rating.One of the most instantly comfortable cars of any classPrice cuts could mean forgoing comfort and convenience, but the MY15 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Sportback turned out to be one of the most instantly comfortable cars of any class I have come across.The sporty spruce-up is no wasted effort, for with 125kW on tap from its 2.4-litre MIVEC motor, the Sportback is one of Australia's most powerful non-turbo hatches, and skips along very nicely thank you.The automatic transmission offers infinitely variable gear ratios that allow the engine always to operate at the best of its ability, irrespective of vehicle speed.A competent, value-for-money vehicleFuel consumption isn't too bad when you take the performance of the big four-cylinder into account. Our Lancer Sportback CVT test car clocked up 6.1L/100km on the motorway, while using just north of 11.0L/100km in the urban environment.As with many so-called manual alternatives, Sports Mode allows the driver to take control of how the car performs, although there's more 'manual' than 'sport' about it here.A glaring error is the positioning of the touch screen which can be affected by bright light coming through the windscreen. It's becoming a common fault as screens spread through the ranks of even the most inexpensive vehicles.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer ES Sport with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

As if making a bed, Mitsubishi has changed the sheets and plumped up the pillows of the Pajero. Barely a year after the release of the 2014 model, next year's big signature 4WD wagon is here. The Japanese company's iconic sport utility vehicle has been tweaked, with cosmetic changes inside and out, plus upgraded

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage LS with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

When launched in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Mitsubishi Triton pickup with a station wagon body. Over the years it has became more slightly more sophisticated but still shares some components with the Triton. Which is no bad thing as the Triton is a tough ute with a good reputation in Australia.