Mitsubishi is a popular and well-known company, but its SUVs typically don’t receive the best scores from reviewers. This is especially true with the Outlander Sport as it not only has a medieocre score, but it’s currently the worst rated SUV in Mitsubishi’s lineup. In fact, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s rating got even worse compared to the last model year.

Mitsubishi gave the Outlander Sport a big upgrade, but it wasn’t enough

The Outlander Sport debuted in the 2010 model year, and the subcompact SUV hasn’t received a major update since then. For example, according to U.S. News, in the 2022 model year, the only changes that the Japanese automaker gave the SUV had to do with its trim options.

However, Mitsubishi gave the Outlander Sport a more substantive upgrade for the 2023 model year. Now, all-wheel drive is a standard feature for the subcompact SUV. Despite that relatively significant change, the Outlander Sport’s overall score actually decreased compared to the 2022 version. The 2023 Outlander Sport has an overall score of 6.3 out of 10.

Its poor overall score is largely because of its low critics’ rating of 4.1 out of 10, and its low performance and interior scores of 5.0 and 5.6 respectively. All of these scores are worse than what U.S. News gave the 2022 version of the SUV.

The 2022 Outlander Sport has an overall score of 6.6 out of 10, a critics’ rating of 4.7 out of 10, a performance rating of 5.1 out of 10, and an interior score of 5.9 out of 10. 

This is why the 2023  Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a low score

While the car critic liked the fact that the Japanese automaker made all-wheel drive a standard feature, it wasn’t enough to overcome the SUV’s performance problems. The Outlander Sport has two engine options, and they’re both lackluster. It starts with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 148 hp, and there’s an optional 2.4-liter four-cylinder that gets 168 hp.

Neither engines are going to make the car fun to drive, and Mitsubishi gave the SUV poor handling as well. On top of that, the car critic didn’t like the SUV’s ride quality. It feels “jittery”, and there’s a lot of body roll when drivers take the car around corners.

That said, the Outlander Sport does have some positive traits. For example, Mitsubishi gave the car an “impressive” warranty package. Its infotainment system, which features a 7-inch touchscreen, is also easy-to-use.

There are many better alternatives to the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The subcompact crossover SUV segment is a competitive segment, and there are many better options than this Mitsubishi. In fact, most options in the segment are better as far as their overall scores go. The Outlander Sport was ranked 19th out of 21 SUVs in the segment, which makes it the third worst subcompact SUV overall.

A much better subcompact SUV is the Mazda CX-30. It has an overall score of 8.6 out of 10, and that makes it the highest rated SUV in the segment. The CX-30 has a luxurious interior despite having a price tag of about $23,000. Its powertrain and performance characteristics are also highlights.

Another great option is the Kia Soul. It has an overall score of 8.5 out of 10, and that makes it the second best option in the segment. It has a $20,000 price tag, and that makes it one of the cheapest options in the segment. For comparison, the Outlander Sport starts at about $23,000.