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One of the best new crossovers on the market for 2007 comes from an automaker that, unfortunately, doesn’t show up on many consumers’ shopping lists.

The vehicle is the redesigned Mitsubishi Outlander, which besides the name has almost nothing in common with its predecessor.

Exterior styling has changed significantly, and the new look is more angular and dramatic. Styling has always been a strength of Mitsubishi’s and this vehicle is no exception.

There was no scrimping on the interior, which has high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. The company says the cabin was designed to look more like that of a sport sedan than a family SUV.

This Outlander is considerably better than the model it replaced, and that was no easy task.

For its time, the previous-generation Outlander was a very good vehicle in its own right. Introduced in fall 2002, the original Outlander joined a rapidly growing segment of compact, car-based SUVs that included the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute.

Equipped with a four-cylinder engine and seating for up to five, the first Outlander was right on target at the time. But as the segment has grown, so have the vehicles in it. With last year’s introduction of a larger RAV4 that seats up to seven, and this year’s rollout of the newest CR-V, which still seats just five but is larger than before, the Outlander, too, was ready for a remake.

The new model passes the CR-V in capacity and performance, though, as Mitsubishi aimed at the RAV4 instead. While the CR-V offers only a four-cylinder engine, the new Outlander comes only with a V-6. The RAV4’s base engine is still a four-cylinder, but there is a V-6 available.

And like the RAV4, the Outlander is offered with an optional third row, allowing it to seat up to seven people. Granted, the third row is best left to the kids, but it’s perfect for people who need the extra seating capacity on occasion, rather than every day. As with all vehicles this small that have three rows of seats, there is little cargo space behind that last row. Making a shopping run is best done with the third row folded to boost cargo capacity.

Base price of the new Outlander is $21,370 (plus freight) for the entry ES model with front-wheel drive. That’s nearly $3,000 higher than that of the entry level 2006 Outlander. But Mitsubishi says the increase is more than justified by all of the improvements.

Our test model, though, was the uplevel XLS model with the Outlander’s new electronically controlled full-time four-wheel-drive system. This top-of-the-line version begins at $25,635 (including freight). With options, the price of our vehicle totaled $28,815, including packages that added leather seats, sunroof and an upgraded audio system.

But it’s really not necessary to pay that much to get a nice Outlander. Even the base model is quite nicely equipped.

Under the hood of all models is a 220-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 engine, which is connected to a new six-speed Sportronic automatic transmission.

My only real complaint is that a four-cylinder engine is not even offered on the new model — nor is a manual gearbox, which was available on the old model.

With rising gasoline prices, some consumers would like to have the option of a more-fuel-efficient four-cylinder, which also would have given the Outlander a lower starting price.

Last year’s 160-horsepower four-cylinder with manual gearbox had EPA ratings of 22 miles per gallon city/28 highway (with two-wheel drive).

Not much is lost in the transition to the much more-powerful V-6, however. EPA ratings for the ’07 model with two-wheel drive are 20 mpg city/27 highway. There is a significant drop in the switch to four-wheel drive, however: Our test car’s ratings were 19 city/22 highway.

For the base price, the 2007 entry level ES model comes with air conditioning (with cabin air filter); ambient lighting monitor; cruise control; power windows/mirrors/door locks; engine immobilizer and anti-theft alarm system; keyless entry; and an AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 playback capability and six speakers. Four-wheel drive is not offered on the ES model.

The midlevel model is the LS, and it comes with a starting price of $22,410 with front-wheel drive, and $23,770 with four-wheel drive. Included on this version are color-keyed, folding power mirrors; roof rails; rear privacy glass; 16-inch alloy wheels; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio switches; leather shift knob; a driver’s seatback pocket; two additional 12-volt power outlets (one in the cockpit, another in the cargo area); and floor mats.

The XLS model begins at $23,650 with front drive. The XLS adds 18-inch alloy wheels; the shifter paddles for the Sportronic transmission; the third seat; automatic climate control; hands-free Bluetooth cell-phone system with voice recognition; fog lights; cargo-area utility bars; and keyless entry and start.

Leather seats are available only on the XLS, and come in a luxury package ($1,600) that includes heated front seats, power driver’s seat, and self-leveling xenon headlights. An XLS-only “sun and sound” package ($1,580) tacks on the sunroof, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, and Sirius satellite radio. Both packages were included on our tester. The third seat is standard on the XLS, but not offered on the ES or LS, which seat only five.

This newest Outlander comes with some features never before seen in this segment. Besides the six-speed automatic, with optional manual paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel, they include a unique two-piece tailgate and an odor-neutralizing headliner.

The ’07 Outlander is the U.S. model to be built on an all-new car chassis that Mitsubishi also will use for the next generation of its Lancer compact sedan, which arrives this year as a 2008 model.

For 2007, the Outlander is longer, higher and wider than before. That allows for more interior space and the addition of the third seat. It also has a wider track, designed to make it more stable.

To help prevent rollovers, the new Outlander has standard electronic stability control and traction control, as do most of the newer SUVs. Also helping to keep the vehicle stable is an aluminum roof that weighs just 11 pounds, lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity. A new multi-link rear suspension and the placement of the fuel tank and spare tire lower on the body also help lower the center of gravity.

Among standard safety features are front seat-mounted side-impact air bags; side-curtain air bags for the first two rows of seats; an antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution; and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

A unique feature is the “flap-fold” tailgate. The larger portion of the two-piece tailgate – containing the fixed rear window – flips up like a conventional liftgate. A smaller section folds back like the tailgates on old station wagons. It has a built-in flap that covers the gap between the tailgate and the cargo floor so packages can slide in without falling into the gap. This lowered section also can be used as a seat or picnic table (while parked), and can hold up to 440 pounds.

The Outlander can tow trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds when the vehicle is equipped with the optional tow package; without the package, it can pull up to 2,000 pounds.

Another new feature is the odor-eating headliner, which Mitsubishi says, “absorbs cigarette-smoke odor and decomposes it into water and carbon dioxide.

There are several convenient storage spaces inside, including a center-dash storage compartment that opens with a push of its lid. Next to that is a large, two-tier glove box, which has a card and pen holder in the lower section. The glove box is illuminated and lockable.

The four-wheel-drive system does not have a transfer case for low-range gearing, which is a necessity for serious off-road driving. But it does have a driver-selectable electronic lock that helps boost traction on both dry and slippery surfaces.

G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

At a Glance: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander The package: Compact, four-door, five- or seven-passenger, V-6 powered, front- or four-wheel-drive sport utility. Highlights: The second generation of Mitsubishi’s compact crossover SUV made its debut for 2007. It’s larger and roomier, and now comes with an optional third row of seating. It has a new V-6 engine to replace the previous four-cylinder, and a new six-speed automatic gearbox. Negatives: No four-cylinder engine or manual gearbox offered. These would lower the starting price and increase fuel economy. Engine: 3.0-liter V-6. Transmission: Six-speed automatic. Power/torque: 220 HP./204 foot-pounds. Length: 182.7 inches. Curb weight: 3,527-3,791 pounds. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock. Cargo volume: 36.2 cubic feet (third seat folded); 14.9 (behind third seat). Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds with optional tow package; 2,000 pounds without. Electronic stability control: Standard. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted bags and side-curtain bags for first and second rows are standard. Fuel capacity/type: 16.6 gallons (2WD); 15.8 gallons (AWD)/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy: 20 miles per gallon city /27 highway (2WD); 19/26 (4WD). Major competitors: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Saturn Vue/Pontiac Torrent/Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage. Base price range: $20,745-$25,010, plus $625 freight. Price as tested: $28,815, including freight and options (XLS with four-wheel drive). On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a possible 10).