2022 Mitsubishi Outlander – All You Need To Know

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is totally redesigned and shares a platform and mechanical bits with the new Nissan Rogue, including an unremarkable 181-hp four-cylinder powertrain. Mitsubishi also enhances Outlander’s roster of features and endows it with surprisingly athletic driving manners. Its interior is also much improved, with an elegantly simple design and significantly nicer materials. Plus, there’s an assortment of new connectivity features and driver-assistance technology. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model will eventually join the lineup, too.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is motivated by a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It pairs exclusively with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration, but all-wheel drive is optional. Although the Outlander’s acceleration times are competitive with other compact crossovers (excluding speedsters such as the turbocharged CX-5 and Kia Sportage), it feels less responsive and lazier at highway speeds, which is exacerbated by its gearless transmission.

However, the Outlander drives with a newfound agility and composure, especially compared with the outgoing model. Its steering is nicely weighted, its body motions are controlled, and its ride is taut. We did notice a lack of isolation that allowed a lot of road noise to enter the cabin on all but the smoothest roads and our test vehicle’s large 20-inch wheels with limited sidewall cushion didn’t help the situation. The Outlander we drove also had a soft-feeling brake pedal, but the stoppers hauled the SUV down from 70 mph in a class-competitive 172 feet. Mitsubishi says a plug-in-hybrid version will eventually be available, too, but that’s all we know right now.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Compared with a mechanically identical Nissan Rogue, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has lower fuel-economy ratings. An all-wheel-drive Outlander is rated at 24 mpg city and 30 highway, but the Rogue performs slightly better. We’ve tested both on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, and the Mitsubishi’s real-world result of 26 mpg was a startling 6 mpg less than the Nissan’s result. For more information about the Outlander’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has significantly nicer cabin materials compared with its predecessor, which was marred by subpar plastics and chintzy trim pieces. Not only are the interior accents and surfaces of higher quality, but the design finally qualifies as modern. Likewise, there’s an assortment of contemporary content that includes an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a head-up display.

While passengers in the first two rows enjoy extra hip room and legroom than in the last-gen Outlander, its third row apparently isn’t made for people with legs. The only other compact crossover with seating for seven is the Volkswagen Tiguan, but, unlike the Outlander, its extra set of seats are limited to front-drive models. Cargo space also increases on the new Outlander, with 1 cubic foot added to the total volume behind the second and third rows.

Infotainment and Connectivity

On the infotainment front, the new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offers either an 8.0- or 9.0-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. Both units have standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only the latter allows users to connect their iPhones wirelessly. Along with charging ports at the bottom of the center stack, the system features hard buttons and physical knobs for volume and tuning. Additional available infotainment features include a 10-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and access to the subscription-based Mitsubishi Connect app that provides remote services.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Available with driver-assistance technology that includes adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous drive mode, the 2022 Outlander boasts a compelling set of tech. For more information about the compact crossover’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites

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