2022 Mitsubishi Outlander review

The first all-new Mitsubishi Outlander in nearly a decade throws down the mid-sized SUV gauntlet

For many years, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail have run a neck-and-neck race to be Australia’s bread-and-butter mid-sized SUV.

They were the models consumers turned to when they wanted Japanese quality but didn’t want to pay a premium for the market-leading Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5.

In a bizarre turn of events, these fierce competitors will now run the same engine in their new models, a result of Mitsubishi joining the Nissan-Renault alliance back in 2017. 

How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander cost?

The new Outlander line-up and nomenclature are familiar and kick off with the 2WD ES at $34,490 and top out at the AWD Exceed Tourer for $49,990.

Our test vehicle, the AWD Aspire, is priced at $43,900.

All models are available in 2WD or AWD and most have seven seats.

The ES is the only one available with five seats and comes generously equipped – the few obvious indications it’s a base model are smaller alloy wheels, cloth seats and no keyless entry.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander tech and styling?

A long and squarish silhouette is the sole resemblance to the superseded Outlander.

The new version takes its cues from the blocky styling approach debuted in the Mitsubishi Triton but delivers it in sleek and up-to-the-minute fashion.

Everything, from the judicious use of chrome accents to the slim headlights and waistline creases that run almost the whole length of the car, adds up to a near-faultless exterior aesthetic.

The eye-candy continues inside, with an attractive black and silver dashboard that reflects the exterior’s cohesive palette, a luxe electric gear shifter rather than a cheap-feeling mechanical one, a dimpled leather steering wheel in up-spec models, and a new infotainment system that includes a vista-like driver information screen (seven inches in the ES and LS, 12.3 inches in the Aspire and above).

Pleasingly, Mitsubishi hasn’t gone overboard with touchscreen operations.

Things that can be fiddly to adjust while on the go, such as air-con and main menu options, are still button-operated.

How does the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander drive?

Harking back to 2012, the previous Outlander was probably the last urban-focused SUV to corner like it was on stilts.

The new model has rectified this and, while it’s not road-hugging, it has dispensed with the body roll and oversteer to put it on level pegging with rivals.

This composure doesn’t come at the expense of a comfortable ride.

AWD models also have a terrain-selection system for fair off-roading ability, while a tight turning circle makes it more manoeuvrable around the suburbs than its proportions suggest.

2022 Mitsubishi power and torque

The new 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is matched to an eight-step CVT.

It produces 135kW/245Nm and develops its power in a gradual, torquey way.

While the CVT can be reluctant to kick down unless the driver really prods the throttle, in most situations it’s the sort of powertrain that just fades into the background – capable, refined and fuss-free.

Over a 500km run through the Blue Mountains and surrounds it returned a fraction under 7.9L/100km – not terrible considering the hilly geography, although hardly a figure to delight environmentalists or the parsimonious.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Pros and Cons

cons: The digital gear shifter looks snazzy but is, like most of its ilk, form over function.

And on country roads the active safety systems proved a bit of a pain, repeatedly misdiagnosing lane departure and on one occasion applying the brakes to prevent an imminent collision with nothing.

pros: But the prevailing word to describe the new Outlander is ‘relaxing’. It’s spacious, accelerates smoothly, handles well and is pleasing to look at from every angle. Shared engine or not, if Nissan rests on its laurels with the next X-Trail it could be in serious trouble.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander price and specs

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
• Transmission: CVT
• Power: 135kW
• Torque: 245Nm
• Fuel consumption: 8.1L/100km (claimed)
• ANCAP: five stars
• Price: From $34,490 (plus ORC)