The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Has Little in Common With the 2021 Model, and That’s Great
Itās that exciting time of year when new cars come out. Sometimes a particular model brings minor upgrades. In other instances, automakers go back to the drawing board and introduce entirely new designs of last yearās lineup. And thatās the case with the 2022 MitsubishiĀ Outlander.Ā
Indeed,Ā the new Mitsubishi OutlanderĀ is nothing like last yearās model. And thatās a good thing. Hereās what you need to know about this compact SUV thatās finally ready to compete in a crowded class.
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander isnāt the worst crossover SUV, but it isnāt great either
Itās not as if thereās anything horribly wrong withĀ the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander. After all, U.S. News named it the āmost improved SUV of the yearā last year.
Itās a small crossover SUV ideal as a utility-on-a-budget option, asĀ Consumer ReportsĀ calls it. And it comes with industry-standard driverās aids, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian detection.
And the plug-in hybrid version of the 2021 Outlander tried to keep up with the times, pairing a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an updated electric motor for 221 hp total.
But that about covers the pros for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander. Otherwise, this disappointing crossover has a tiny available third row, clumsy handling, and slow steering response. Last yearās Outlander didnāt step up, with marginal upgrades over the 2020 model, less-than-inspirational styling, and a bouncy lean while driving. The 2021 Outlander begged for a makeover.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is ready to compete in the big leagues
If the 2021 model is the ugly duckling, the 2022 Outlander is the magnificent swan. Mitsubishi must have listened to critics and consumers becauseĀ the 2022 OutlanderĀ returns redesigned and āready to be relevant,ā according toĀ Consumer Reports. The latest model addresses all the pain points head-on and now offers more comfortable seating for seven. Plus, the handling is more than decent, and the design is stylish.
The Mitsubishi OutlanderĀ returns with a slightly more powerful engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder harnessing 181 hp. And consumers will appreciate the available all-wheel drive in this fun crossover. Another plus? The Outlander offers that third row of seating, something most other compact SUVs fail to do.Ā
This redesignged compact crossover SUV rates highly
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has little in common with its predecessor, and thatās great. U.S. News gives the latest model a perfect 10 in safety, 8 for the interior, and a 7.8 criticsā rating. Itās āa good compact SUV no matter how you slice it,ā the site declares.
If you thought theĀ 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander was mediocreĀ at best, donāt ignore the redesigned 2022 model. Across various test drives and reviews, the 2022 Outlander outperforms in almost every category. It offers more poised driving dynamics and handling.
It also boasts high-quality interior materials, a user-friendly infotainment system, robust safety extras, and a large cargo area. And itās not only better but also bigger, with a half-inch added to its length thatĀ ForbesĀ says makes the 2022 OutlanderĀ lookĀ huge.
So if youāre considering a compact crossover, check outĀ the Mitsubishi Outlander. You wonāt recognize the 2022 model compared to last yearās version. And thatās a good thing for this small SUV with a big future.