2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Up Close

I want Mitsubishi — the company that brought us the fire-breathing Lancer Evolution — to do better. Today, it announced a healthy 18 percent sales increase; that’s a start. Another is the Outlander Sport, a well-proportioned sibling to the Outlander. Though based on its larger sibling, the Sport has much shorter front and rear overhangs; it looks all the better for it. I still think the Outlander’s Lancer-inspired facelift paid dubious styling results, but the Outlander Sport wears the same face better, and the rear looks like any mini-SUV’s, which is far better than the Outlander’s still-bizarre tail.

Cabin quality is a step in the right direction, with higher-rent padded surfaces across all the important areas. That’s not the norm among sub-$20,000 crossovers. The glove compartment has an interesting metallic finish, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel has a satisfying, meaty grip. Not all is consistently good — the air-conditioning controls are straight out of the Outlander, and they need an overhaul — but the sum of it all is respectable.

The Outlander Sport is roomy in a way the Nissan Juke is not; I compared the larger Outlander’s second row, and the Sport’s seats sit higher off the ground for better overall comfort. (Mitsubishi spokesman Maurice Durand confirmed this: The Outlander’s seats tumble forward for more cargo capacity, and they sacrifice a bit of roominess for the sake of it.) Mitsubishi didn’t have cargo specs immediately available, but the space behind the second row looks roomier than the Juke’s or Mini Cooper Countryman’s. The backseat folds down easily, with no gap in the cargo floor; there’s no third row available like in the Outlander.

In the mini-crossover field, it’s good to see Mitsubishi added sport without losing utility. This is a good step for the brand. I’m waiting for a few more.