Mitsubishi Outlander

The Outlander's cabin is definitely the one that reveals its flagship-SUV stance.

Interior Highlights

Depending on specification:

•  Fabric upholstery
•  Synthetic leather
•  Leather upholstery
•  Semi-aniline leather
•  Power-adjustable front seats
•  Seat memory
•  Massage function
•  Ventilated front seats
•  Heated front seats
•  Heated second-row seats
•  Automatic three-zone heating and cooling.
•  Rear air vents
•  Rear sunshades
•  Power panoramic sunroof
•  Leather steering wheel
•  Wireless smartphone charging

The three zone automatic climate control is specially suitable for the UAE. The driver, front passenger and back passengers have separate temperature controls and vents. 

The availability of ventilated front seats is another valuable feature in a hot climate.

Front-seat massage and memory settings that connect to the driver's key are available on the higher versions.

Cabin Assessment

The Outlander is an excellent blend of family utility and luxury.

It doesn't just have seven seats, it has features to make long journeys more comfortable for the passengers.

The Outlander is well-equipped with driver assistance features.

Safety Features

It provides:

•  Forward Collision Mitigation
•  Predictive Forward Collision Warning
•  Adaptive Cruise Control
•  Lane Departure Warning
•  Rear Cross Traffic Alert
•  Lane Change Alert
•  Blind Spot Warning
•  Lane Change Assist
•  Driver Attention Alert
•  Multi Around Monitor
•  Moving Object Detection
•  Front and rear parking sensors.
•  Rear-view camera
•  Seven SRS airbags
•  Hill Descent Control
•  ISOFIX child-seat anchors

The seven SRS airbags ensure full protection to the occupants while the multi-around monitor provides better visibility while manoeuvring the SUV in tight spots.

Blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation are especially helpful on the highway.

Ownership Perspective in the UAE

The Outlander is a great choice for UAE families thanks to its combination of everyday practicality, premium comfort and all-wheel-drive option.

Ownership Strengths

•  Seven-seat practicality
•  2.5-litre petrol engine
•  2WD and 4WD options
•  S-AWC for 4WD versions
•  Six drive modes
•  207–210 mm ground clearance
•  Three-zone climate control
•  Ventilated front seats
•  Panoramic sunroof
•  12.3-inch digital displays
•  10.8-inch HUD
•  Wireless smartphone charging
•  Yamaha audio
•  Extensive ADAS package
•  Seven airbags
•  Flexible cargo area

The most important purchasing decision is selecting a configuration.

Choose 2WD if:

•  The majority of driving is city driving.
•  Highway travel dominates
•  Off road capability is not important
•  You're looking for an easy-to-use family SUV

 Choose 4WD if:

•  You regularly travel on loose surfaces
•  Additional traction is important
•  You want S-AWC
•  You would like access to the entire 6-mode driving system
•  You explore throughout the weekend

The Outlander is definitely different from a typical compact SUV in terms of its appearance.

The redesign is a reimagining of the vehicle, with a wider stance, muscular lines, sculpted sides and a more unique front end to project confidence.

Exterior Highlights

The Outlander will feature:

•  LED headlights
•  Adaptive LED headlights
•  Daytime running lamp (DRL) LEDs
•  Rear combination lights with LED headlights
•  LED fog lights
•  Automatic high beam
•  Rain-sensing wipers
•  Power-folding exterior mirrors
•  Privacy glass
•  Roof rails
•  Shark-fin antenna
•  Power panoramic sunroof
•  Hands-free power tailgate
•  18-inch wheels
•  Selected models feature 20” wheels

The power panoramic sunroof really helps to add to the Outlander's high quality styling, and the hands-free tailgate is a handy feature for family members.

The Outlander has a strong presence on UAE roads, a key element in the SUV purchase process.

Dimensions & Practicality

Key Dimensions

•  Length: 4,720 mm
•  Length without mirrors: 1,750 mm
•  Maximum width (mirrors folded): 1,897 mm
•  Mirror width: 2,144 mm (when unfolded)
•  Wheelbase: 2,706 mm
•  Ground clearance: 207–210 mm
•  Turning radius: 5.5 m
•  Capacity: 5 or 7 people (based on the configuration)

One of the most useful features of the Outlander is its seven-seat configuration.

Cargo Practicality

The luggage area has been built to be large and long, and can take up to 4 golf bags (127cm long).

A larger rear-gate opening also facilitates loading and unloading.

Another functional benefit of the hands-free power tailgate is when you're hauling luggage or shopping.

Ride Quality & Driving Experience

The Outlander uses:

•  The front suspension is MacPherson strut with a stabiliser bar
•  Multi link rear suspension with stabiliser bar
•  Rack-and-pinion steering
•  Electric power steering

The suspension structure is an accent to the family-oriented nature of the Outlander.

This rear suspension is independent, which is especially relevant for a car that is designed to transport passengers on various road surfaces.

The S-AWC system provides an extra level of control with torque and braking according to the driving conditions.

Driving Experience

The Outlander is thus conceived around:

•  Stability
•  Predictable handling
•  Traction
•  Comfort
•  Family usability
•  Adaptability

The six drive modes also enable the driver to adapt the vehicle to various surfaces.

The Outlander is comfortable enough for everyday use but also has the added 4WD capability to provide traction when the road gets tough and is a handy feature for UAE use as a result.

The Outlander's powertrain for UAE is a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine with a DOHC design.

Engine Specifications

•  Displacement: 2,488 cc
•  Transmission: C6000 automatic
•  Power system: Direct injection
•  Maximum output: 135 kW at 6,000 rpm
•  Maximum torque: 244 Nm at 3,600 rpm
•  Transmission: CVT
•  Fuel tank: 55 litres
•  Fuel recommendation: Regular unleaded fuel (90 RON or higher)
•  Maximum speed: 190 km/h

The continuously variable transmission is engineered for smooth power delivery instead of the stepped shifts of a traditional automatic.

The 244 Nm of the 2.5-litre engine is adequate for the family-SUV category and with 2WD and 4WD options, buyers can choose the combination that suits their needs.

Performance Character

The Outlander does not come across as a high-performance SUV. Instead, it is based on a powertrain that includes:

•  Everyday usability
•  Smooth acceleration
•  Family travel
•  Highway cruising
•  Practical SUV performance

Performance figures should be taken in conjunction with the fact that acceleration and fuel consumption may vary depending on the equipment level. 

So for the UAE buyer, it isn't so much about the performance, but rather whether they need 2WD or 4WD better suited to their driving needs.

Off-Road Capability

The Outlander is a lot more interesting to prospective buyers who opt for a 4WD variant.

A key element of the car's performance is Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The system automatically controls each wheel's drive and braking power for enhanced traction, cornering and stability. 

S-AWC Features

The system can:

•  Spread torque between front and rear wheels
•  Control between left and right wheels
•  Reduce wheelspin
•  Assist with stability
•  Improve traction
•  Support cornering performance

The Outlander also has 6 modes for driving:

•  Normal
•  Eco
•  Tarmac
•  Gravel
•  Snow
•  Mud

On 2WD models, the Mud mode is not available. 

This is especially applicable for UAE buyers.

This is not to be confused with a dedicated hardcore 4x4, but the S-AWC, drive mode selection and ground clearance of around 207–210 mm allows the 4WD Outlander to offer much more capability than a purely road-focused crossover.

One of the most attractive features of the Outlander is its technology package.

 Key Technology Features

•  Full 12.3 inch digital driver display 
•  12.3-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio
•  Wireless Apple CarPlay
•  Android Auto
•  10.8-inch Head-Up Display
•  Wireless smartphone charger
•  Bluetooth
•  USB Type-C connections
•  The navigation is available in selected versions.
•  Digital rear-view mirror
•  Multi Around Monitor

The 10.8-inch Head-Up Display displays information on the windscreen, so navigation and other data can be viewed without the driver having to glance at the large central display. 

The 12.3-inch digital driver display offers user-adjustable navigation, audio and vehicle information.

Yamaha Audio

The Yamaha Audio system is one of the most unique high-end amenities.

The Outlander will fit with the following:

•  Yamaha Premium Dynamic Sound
•  Yamaha Ultimate Dynamic Sound

The Ultimate system features 12 dedicated speakers, and the Premium system is an eight-speaker setup. The Yamaha systems provide selectable sound modes and speed-compensated volume. 

If you spend a lot of time in the car, that's a real added value for the buyer.

The Outlander is an important addition to Mitsubishi's UAE SUV lineup. It will be marketed as the brand's flagship SUV and will target in particular those who seek space, technology, comfort, and all-weather performance in their family car. 

It's not just an urban crossover, it's a crossover that has more of a wide-spanning stance.

Key Market Strengths

•  Seven-seat availability
•  Available in 2WD and 4WD variants
•  Family-focused interior
•  SUV-focused design
•  Advanced safety technology
•  Premium comfort features
•  Flexible luggage space
•  S-AWC 4WD versions
•  Six different driving modes can be selected

This makes the Outlander an ideal choice for those looking for a car that can serve multiple purposes.

Buyers who drive mostly in urban or highway areas may prefer the 2WD variants, whereas the 4WD models offer extra traction and functionality.

The higher specifications step the Outlander up to a more upscale level, including semi-aniline leather, ventilated and heated seats, a 10.8-inch HUD, 12.3-inch digital displays, Yamaha audio, panoramic sunroof and advanced driver assistance.

These Mitsubishi Outlander variants are named as: 

• Premium
• HL Fabric Seat Without Sunroof
• HL Fabric Seat
• HL Synthetic
• ML

The range of different Outlander variants begins with a practical base variant catered towards UAE families with standard equipment, then progressively higher trims keep adding more luxury touches, advanced driver-assist features, and AWD at the higher price point. 

The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of those SUVs that is meant to be precisely because it doesn't specialise in any one thing.

It offers the convenience of a family-sized seven-seat SUV, the technology of a modern, high-end car, and the extra grip of Mitsubishi's S-AWC all-wheel drive system in four-wheel-drive models.

It is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder direct-injection engine that delivers 135 kW and 244 Nm, while a CVT takes care of the transmission. It's not a high-performance powertrain, but it's appropriate for the Outlander's family-oriented nature. 

The 4WD models are much more versatile. The six modes of Normal, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud enable the S-AWC to adjust to different surfaces, while the six modes of operation can be used to distribute torque and braking forces for optimum traction. 

Overall Rating: 9.0/10

The verdict: The Mitsubishi Outlander is an impressive family SUV with the most impressive thing being its versatility. Its adventure-friendly versatility, high-quality comfort amenities, and advanced safety features, combined with the convenience of its 7-seat capacity, make it a strong combination of family usability, luxury and adventure-ready for UAE buyers looking for a vehicle that fits the bill.