2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES - Short Take Road Test

What Is It?

It’s Mitsubishi’s all-new mini-SUV. Sharing its one zero five.1-inch wheelbase with the larger Outlander, the game differentiates itself with 2 rows of seating—the Outlander offers three—an overall length that’s fourteen.6 inches shorter, and one engine, a naturally aspirated two.0-liter four-cylinder manufacturing 148 hp and a hundred forty five lb-ft of torque. Wading into the ever-popular small-sport-ute category, the Outlander Sport is very necessary to Mitsubishi because it struggles to stay viable within the U.S.

How will It Drive?
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Thanks to a petite curb weight of 3046 pounds, the front-drive, manual-transmission Outlander Sport tested here was fast by the standards of its category, taking 8.3 seconds to succeed in sixty mph and reaching the quarter-mile mark in sixteen.5 seconds at eighty five mph. Compared with the last Outlander Sport we have a tendency to tested—an all-wheel-drive, CVT-equipped model carrying three hundred extra pounds—this one cut one.6 seconds from the sprint to half-dozen0 and one.4 seconds from the quarter and posted a lure speed that was faster by half-dozen mph. Braking from seventy mph took 174 feet, which might are tops in our last small-ute comparison take a look at.

With a suspension that's neither too comfortable nor too firm, the Outlander Sport is ok for straight-line cruising. though we have a tendency to enjoyed the relative sharpness and feel offered by the steering rack, the Outlander suffers from waves of body roll at something above average Grand Marquis cornering speeds. A snowy skidpad prevented us from recording an objective handling figure, however previous testing netted a figure of mediocre zero.80 g. we have a tendency to appreciate that Mitsu offers a manual, and though its throws are long, it's precise in its action.

How will It Stack Up?

The Outlander Sport ES could be a sufficient piece of cheap transportation, however it makes sacrifices that different vehicles within the phase don’t. it's aggressive and enticing sheetmetal, however the 16-inch steel wheels on the instance tested here wore low-cost covers that gave the impression of they came from a flea market. The endless arduous, black plastic of the low-rent interior didn’t look far better. and therefore the lone engine has solely 148 hp, whereas most of its competitors provide a minimum of a hundred and seventy hp for the same value. If you’re within the marketplace for a budget SUV with a manual transmission and capable dynamics, you’d be wise to see out the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, each of which provide 176 hp, a fine interior, and a satisfying level of exterior aptitude for fewer than $20,000.

What’s the Cost?

Our ES take a look at vehicle was as base as an Outlander Sport comes, with a sticker value of $19,275. customary equipment includes air-con, power windows and locks, a telescoping steering wheel, anti-lock brakes, stability management, hill-start assist, keyless entry, and Bluetooth connectivity. All Outlander Sports pack seven airbags, as well as a driver’s knee bag. consumers have however some choices, as well as a navigation system with a 40-gig arduous drive for $2150, a $995 Exterior Sport package that gussies up the skin with spoilers and chrome trim (but retains the depressing wheel covers), a $340 LED Illumination package for the inside, and some port-installed accessories. Most shoppers can ante $1000 for the CVT.

Given Mitsubishi’s perilous predicament within the U.S., we’re disappointed that the game looks to own received very little thought beyond combining the Outlander’s styling with the Lancer components bin. It’s refreshing to examine a replacement vehicle that keeps its weight in check, and we’re forever happy when there’s a manual possibility, however those factors are off from enough to create the Outlander Sport the standout it must be.

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