Orlando Sentinel's view

Desperate times, which reportedly call for desperate measures, sometimes result in good products.

Example: The 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, a surprisingly handsome, competent midsize sport utility vehicle. The Outlander is good enough to make the presence of the more expensive Mitsubishi Endeavor seem extraneous. Bring this up to a Mitsubishi executive, and this is his reply: “I know what you’re saying, but we really can’t worry about that. Given the fight we’re in, the only thing we can do is make each new product the best we can come up with, even if it creates some overlap.”

That fight he speaks of is pretty much a fight for the company’s life, at least in the United States.

Corporate partner DaimlerChrysler severed most of its ties with Mitsubishi last year, which was regarded by analysts as good for DaimlerChrysler, bad for Mitsubishi. But if Mitsubishi can develop new products that are as well done as the Outlander, then perhaps the company has turned the corner. It remains no threat to Toyota, Honda and Nissan, but Mitsubishi seems well on its way to re-establishing the niche it had in the 1990s.

This is the second-generation Outlander. The current model is powered by a 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which works well enough given the Outlander’s size — an overall length of 179 inches, a width of about 70 inches. The 2007 Outlander has a 3.0-liter, 220-horsepower V-6 — no four-cylinder is offered — and it has an overall length of 182.7 inches, a width of 70.9 inches. It doesn’t sound that much bigger than the current model, but it looks and feels quite a bit larger.

There’s even room for a third-row seat in the uplevel XLS model, but it’s pretty small — kids only. The new Outlander also is heavier: That XLS model with all-wheel drive (front-wheel drive is standard) weighs in at 3,791 pounds. Not porky, but no lightweight.

Another substantial difference is that the 2007 Outlander comes only with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2006 model offers a five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic. The fact that even the base ES model will have a reasonably powerful V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission means this Outlander is expected to be more expensive than the current model — starting probably at just under $21,000 — but you get a lot more.

Though Mitsubishi hasn’t announced prices for the 2007 Outlander — and won’t until closer to the November on-sale date — we’re told that even with every option, including all-wheel drive, xenon headlights, a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD player and leather upholstery, it still should be less than $30,000. That’s a very competitive price.

It’s at the other end of the price spectrum, though, that the 2007 Outlander demands some respect. Standard equipment on the ES model includes side and side-curtain air bags, skid and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry and power locks, mirrors and windows.

The mid-level LS adds several features, including 16-inch alloy wheels and steering-wheel-controlled audio buttons. The XLS adds 18-inch tires and wheels — they look much better than the smaller tires and wheels — fog lights, Bluetooth, that third-row seat-let, and Sportronic transmission shifting via paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

There are a couple of other nice, unexpected features on the Outlander: While the body is steel, the roof is lightweight aluminum, lowering the center of gravity and making the SUV less tipsy. And the tailgate drops much lower than other tailgates, making it easy to load cargo in the rear. That sounds like a minor improvement, but it’s a major convenience.

On the road, the base ES Outlander seems like what it is: A less-expensive, less-deluxe version of the mid- and upper-level models. There’s more wind and tire noise, and handling just seems better with the larger tires on the premium models. Though all-wheel drive is offered on the LS and XLS models, it’s more of a safety feature than an off-road-capable version. That’s typical of most of these “crossovers,” which share more with cars than trucks.

And speaking of sharing, this 2007 Outlander is built on the same platform as the new Lancer set to arrive next year, and that includes the Lancer Evo, darling of the fast-and-furious crowd.

The 2007 Outlander is tangible proof that Mitsubishi is serious about regaining its market share in the U.S. If the upcoming Lancer works this well, we’ll know the Outlander is part of a trend, not an aberration.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlansosentinel.com, or 407-420-5699.