2011 Mitsubishi Outlander

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$21,995

starting MSRP

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander

Key specs

Base trim shown

Overview

The good:

  • Steering response
  • Comfy front seats
  • Roomy second row
  • Limited body roll
  • Flat-folding third row

The bad:

  • Four-cylinder drivetrain feels weak
  • Overly firm ride
  • Suspension noise
  • Curtain airbags don't cover third row
  • Big grille doesn't fit with rest of design

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

  • ES

    $21,995

  • SE

    $22,995

  • XLS

    $25,795

  • GT

    $27,795

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander trim comparison will help you decide.

Notable features

  • Revised XLS trim level
  • Seats five or seven
  • 2WD or 4WD
  • Four-cylinder or V-6
  • Performance-oriented GT trim level
  • Third-row seat now standard on SE model

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander review: Our expert's take

By


2011 MitsMitsubishi upsized its little Outlander SUV in 2007, and has continued to tweak it with updated styling inside and out that may or may not be an improvement. The question remains: Exactly what is the Outlander? It’s too big to be a small SUV, too small to compete with the better mid-size SUVs.

The original 2003-era Outlander aimed to compete with smaller SUVs such as the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. Five years later the company added three inches to the Outlander, gave it a V-6 engine and squeezed in a third-row seat. This moved it past the Ford Escape-type sports utility vehicles, into the same territory occupied by the larger Mitsubishi Endeavor.

Having two vehicles that close in size and function would seem to be confusing for the customer. But Mitsubishi has stuck with it for five years, so it must be working for them. But the Outlander GT test vehicle’s mission remains unclear. It was loaded with useful equipment, including all-wheel-drive and a spunky 230-horsepower V-6 engine. Priced reasonably at $30,275, it included a $1,700 option package that added a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, Sirius satellite radio and a power sunroof.

It also had a fold-up third-row seat that is heavy, complicated and useless for adults. You can likely buy a basic Endeavor for the price of this Outlander and with a bigger V-6 and a useful third-row seat.

To further confuse things within the Mitsubuishi SUV lineup, for 2011 we get the all-new Outlander Sport, a smaller version of the Outlander that has much in common with that 2003 Outlander — a 2-liter, 148-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and seating for five. The Outlander Sport is considered a separate vehicle from the Outlander. Go figure.

But that’s Mitsubishi’s concern, not mine. The Outlander remains the company’s most popular SUV, and to help keep it moving out the door, Mitsubishi lowered the starting price of this top-of-the-line GT model to $27,795, about $1,700 less than last year.

The Outlander lineup is comprehensive: There’s the base ES model, starting at $21,995, which has five seats and a 2.4-liter, 168-horsepower four-cylinder that seems kind of small for a vehicle weighing 3,400 pounds. Next in line is the slightly more deluxe SE model, then the XLS, and the GT, tested here. The standard Outlander is front-wheel-drive, with all-wheel-drive optional on the SE, standard on the GT. The Outlander, though, is a “crossover” SUV, based on a car platform, so while it is capable of leisurely, unchallenging off-roading, the all-wheel-drive system is really designed for improved traction in bad weather, not rock-climbing.

Inside, the Outlander GT is roomy up front, with almost a minivan feel — the windshield is long and sloping, leaving a huge dashboard beneath it. Indeed, from the outside, the front of the Outlander resembles the doomed GM minivan lineup that included the Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza, a look no one would intentionally duplicate. The rest of the Outlander’s body styling is sharp-edged but more conventional.

Rear seats are fine, but that third-row seat is from the dark ages. Any adult willing to sit back there must be on the way to Oompa-Loompa auditions.

On the road, the Outlander GT is sure-footed and smooth-riding. The V-6 is matched well to the six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel mileage is rated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and unfortunately Mitsubishi recommends premium fuel.

Feature-for-feature — assuming you don’t need a third-row seat, or don’t mind the Outlander’s limitations — the GT offers a lot for the money compared to the competition. You’d be wise, though, to check out the smaller Outlander Sport if your don’t need a third-row seat, or the larger Endeavor if you really do. Mitsubishi’s SUVs should cover the needs of the majority of consumers — it may be a challenge, though, figuring out which one suits you.

scsmith3@tribune.com

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Base price: $27,795

Price as tested: $30,275

EPA rating: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

Engine: 3-liter, 230-horsepower V-6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Length: 183.7 inches

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Parting shot: Solid, slightly odd-looking SUV with seven-passenger capacity, assuming two of them are no more than four feet tall.

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.8
  • Interior design 4.7
  • Performance 4.6
  • Value for the money 4.6
  • Exterior styling 4.8
  • Reliability 4.6

Most recent consumer reviews

4.1

Exactly what I wanted and more!!!

My Outlander is everything I wanted. It has great low mileage and only a few scratches. The car runs well and looks great. It drives beautifully.

5.0

Most comfortable car I have owned

I love this vehicle. It is comfortable to drive and its has enough room for my kids and all their stuff and their friends .

4.7

Suits my needs.

I like the car. It really suits my needs. It’s small with plenty of room. The one issue I have is that the seatbelt pinches my hips. Other then that, the car is excellent for city life and travel.

See all 17 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Mitsubishi
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
60 months/60,000 miles
Corrosion
84 months/100,000 miles
Powertrain
120 months/100,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Less than 5 years/less than 60,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
Remainder of original 5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain
Remainder of original 10-year/100,000 miles
Dealer certification required
123-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

Compare the competitors

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