It’s been just over three months since I attended the launch of the new Mitsubishi Outlander. While the Cape Town climate hasn’t been very wet yet, the temperature has certainly dropped, which means I tend to spend more time (and money) in malls with my friends and their kids.
While I needed to stock up on warmer clothes, groceries and two bags of wood for a braai I was going to later that day, my friend Caitiln needed to do her monthly shop for her baby’s nappies, clothes and groceries. So we needed a sufficient amount of luggage space. Thankfully, I had reunited with the new Outlander as my test car that weekend. Not only does it have 1068-litres of boot space, Isofix child seat fittings and seven airbags put Caitlin’s mind at ease when her babysitter let her down just an hour before our planned shopping-adventure.
So what’s new about the new Outlander?
On the outside the new Outlander has several new features that give it a bolder and more stylish design. It’s been given the Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield design treatment, much like the new ASX model, which was recently introduced in South Africa.
The Mitsubishi badge is highlighted at the centre of its new face above the grille. To further compliment the company’s new Dynamic Shield design two swathes of chrome lead from the outside edges of the LED headlights and curve downwards before tapering off around the lower fog lights, giving it a striking and refined look.
NOT JUST A LUXURY SUV
Although Mitsubishi sets the Outlander’s status as a luxury SUV, make no mistake it still has a tough and rugged feel while driving it. While I wasn’t about to take my friend and her one-year-old off-roading, Mitsubishi claim that the new Outlander is the type of vehicle that perfectly slots in with any lifestyle, and off-roading is just one of them.
With a 5.3 metre turning radius (best in its class) thanks to its short wheelbase, its Multi Select Four Wheel Drive system, Active Stability and Traction Control, ABS, EBD and emergency brake assist and Hill Start Assist, we’re pretty sure we’ll be even more satisfied with its off-road capabilities.
"It has all the comfort features to make long journeys an absolute pleasure, and all the small luxuries that help simplify daily tasks. It’s the ultimate go-anywhere vehicle for the South African market," says Campbell.
Speaking of comfort, apart from the roomy and elegantly designed seating features, the first thing most of the ladies seemed to rave about was the new leather steering wheel. It’s soft, smooth and so much more pleasant to handle -“ especially if you’ve been carrying those shopping bags around all day!
POWER AND PERFORMANCE
The facelifted Outlander is powered by Mitsubishi’s popular 2.4-litre 16-valve DOHC MIVEC petrol engine producing 123 kW and 222 N.m. Average fuel consumption comes to 8,2 litres/100km.
Power is delivered to all four wheels through Mitsubishi’s next-generation, all-new INVECS-III Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with a 6-step Sports Mode shift control. The CVT gearbox adapts to varying road conditions and power demands, allowing for a smoother ride than traditional automatic transmissions.
The innovative Multi Select Four Wheel Drive system makes driving the Outlander aver varying terrain an absolute pleasure. The system has three separate modes to choose from:
- 4WD Eco Mode -“ In Eco Mode the vehicle monitors the terrain and driver input and only engages all-wheel drive when necessary. Selecting Eco Mode and allowing the vehicle to monitor driving conditions reduce fuel consumption and ensure a more efficient drive.
- 4WD Auto Mode -“ In Auto Mode, the Outlander will stay in all-wheel-drive, unless the road conditions are so smooth that it’s completely unnecessary. Similar to Eco Mode, Auto Mode will automatically adjust the all-wheel-drive, but it recognises that all-wheel drive is the preference (unlike Eco Mode, which will only switch to all-wheel drive when it’s really necessary).
- 4WD Lock Mode -“ By selecting Lock Mode under normal road conditions, priority is placed on performance. More torque is directed to the rear wheels than in 4WD Auto Mode to provide greater power off the line, better control when accelerating on gravel or loose surfaces, and enhanced stability at high speeds. Rear wheel torque transfer is maintained at 50 percent, meaning up to 50 percent of available torque is sent to the rear wheels under full-throttle acceleration on dry road surfaces. When in 4WD Lock Mode, torque at the rear wheels is increased by a smaller degree through corners than with 4WD Auto Mode. This mode is also ideal for more challenging off-road conditions.
SAFETY
Mitsubishi place a strong emphasis on safety, something that those in the market for SUV crossovers (particularly those with kids) will want to ensure. With patented Reinforced Safety Evolution (RISE) body construction forming a solid safety cage around all occupants.
"This first line of defence is further supplemented by seven airbags and full ISO-FIX child anchors. Mitsubishi’s dedication to safety has earned the Outlander a full five-star safety rating in the Euro NCAP crash test assessment.
The Outlander is further equipped with all the crucial safety features, including Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (BAS), as well as Hill Start Assist (HSA) for tricky inclines."
Full Isofix child seat fittings and seven airbags add to its excellent safety ratings to put your mind at ease.
PRICING
Pricing for the new Mitsubishi Outlander currently sits at R549 900, and it’s already on sale! It also comes with a full three-year / 100 000 km warranty and a five-year / 90 000 km service place. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km.
