What's the difference?
You might call it six degrees of Kombi separation. Somewhere, somehow just about all of us have a VW bus lurking in our family and friends' back story. And this is the latest version of that familiar box on wheels to hit the Aussie market.
It’s the premium, sportier, AWD GTX version of the pure-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz.
This one-box wonder hits the retro-futurist ball out of the park and we attended its local launch to explore whether what’s under the skin supports the promise of its stunning exterior.
In the realm of family friendly mid-size SUVs, few names have the same reputation as Mitsubishi’s Outlander.
While this new one looks almost identical to the previous version, it’s hiding some serious, Australian-flavoured changes under the skin.
But in a segment now full of not only upgraded mainstream rivals, but also new cut-price alternatives from China, does such a modest upgrade to the Outlander do enough to deserve your consideration in such a crowded market?
We went to its Australian launch to find out.
The only way to make this car cooler would be to add a split fold-out windscreen and a tube steel luggage rack on the roof.
It’s fast, super practical, comfortable and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of premium family buyers ready to go for something different. And that smile will extend to just about everyone who lays eyes on it. I love it.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Mitsubishi has leaned into its strengths with this Outlander update, spending its money in subtle areas to upgrade what was already a widely appealing mid-size SUV.
The local tuning has made a notable difference to the refinement and comfort of this version, while subtle updates to the software and interior trim help to refine things even further.
If you’ve had an Outlander before, you’ll love this one, although it doesn’t help the brand to challenge new players on the value front. This leaves you with the decision of whether to pick a brand with the reputation and network of Mitsubishi, or roll the dice on a far more affordable new player.
For what it’s worth, it’s genuinely tough to pick a sweet spot here. I think the best picks are at either end of the spectrum, with the ES being outstanding value, and the Exceed being particularly plush.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.