2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the most popular compact SUVs in New Zealand, offering a spacious interior that can comfortably seat up to seven people, a comfortable ride, decent fuel economy and a wide range of standard features. The Mitsubishi Outlander competes with the Toyota Harrier, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Front end.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Front End

Introduction

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) that has been in production since 2001.
The first generation (CU/ZE/ZF) was sold as Airtrek in Japan and Outlander in other markets. Production of the Airtrek ceased in 2008 and the name was dropped. The second generation (CW/ZG/ZH) was produced between 2006 and 2012. The third generation (GF/GG/ZJ/ZK/ZL) was produced from 2012 to 2020 and the fourth generation (GM/GN/ZM) from 2021 to the present.
The 2019 Outlanders comes with a range of new updates including; standard 18-inch alloy wheels, refreshed front-end styling, and an upgraded interior with more supportive seats.

Engines

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is available with four engine options;
Petrol
– 2.4-litre 4J12 MIVEC engine
– 3.0-litre 6B31 MIVEC engine
Diesel engine
– 2.2-litre 4N14 DI-D engine
Hybrid powertrain
– 2.0-litre 4B11 PHEV engine

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander grades

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander LS– This is the base grade that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, and 7 seats.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV VRX– This is the top trim that comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, surround-view camera system, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Interior

The 2019 Outlander can comfortably seat up to seven passengers. In the first row, the seats are supportive and offer plenty of headroom and legroom for taller drivers. The second row is also spacious, with enough room for three adults to sit comfortably. The third row is a little cramped, but it’s still suitable for occasional passengers or children, especially on long journeys.
The 2018 Outlander has two full sets of LATCH connectors for the second-row outboard seats and a top tether anchor for the second-row center seat.

 

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Cargo Space

The 2019 Outlander offers 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat and 34.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. With the second and third-row seats folded, Outlander has 63 cubic feet of available cargo space. This is enough space to meet the needs of most owners.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander cargo space.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander cargo space.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Exterior

The 2019 Outlander has received a few styling tweaks as part of its mid-cycle refresh. The front fascia has been prominently adorned with chrome and 18-inch wheels are a welcome addition to the 2018 Outlander, giving this also a more upmarket style. The Outlander’s profile is characterised by a strong shoulder line and pronounced wheel arches. The rear fascia also receives a chrome-laden and large roof spoiler, making it more sporty.
The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is available in a range of exterior colours, including pearl white diamond, Labrador black pearl, Mercury grey metallic, alloy silver metallic, rally red metallic, cosmic blue metallic and quartz brown metallic.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander exterior

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander exterior

Safety features; 7 SRS airbags (driver, front passenger, side curtain and driver’s knee), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Auto High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Change Assistant (LCA)

Performance

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a comfortable ride, but performance and handling are not its strongest suits.
The standard four-cylinder engine feels underpowered, but even the V6 is serviceable at best.
A MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension ensure a comfortable ride and good handling. However, some drivers have criticised the Outlander for its body roll when cornering, which makes it feel less agile than some of its rivals. Some owners find the 2019 Outlander’s handling to be sluggish and unresponsive, requiring significant steering effort to turn corners.
The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander’s braking performance is average, but some drivers have reported that it requires a precise and delicate touch to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, resulting in a jerky and clunky braking experience.
However, the Outlander’s four-wheel-drive system is competent and provides good traction, especially when driving off-road or in slippery conditions.

Reliability

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander has a generally mixed reputation for reliability. When buying it, your main checks should focus on whether it has been well maintained. The most common problems reported with the 2019 Outlander include fuel leaks, airflow sensor malfunctions, transmission problems, engine knocking and battery failure.
Regular maintenance can help keep your vehicle running reliably and minimise unexpected breakdowns.We have compiled a detailed reliability report on the 2019 Outlander in the Buyers’ Guide. We also recommend you read the Mitsubishi Outlander Owner’s Manual for more information.

Pros

Third row of seats
Spacious cabin
Respectable fuel economy

Cons

Slow engines
Dull performance

Verdict

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is a fantastic three-row SUV, with plenty of fantastic features for families and individuals alike. Despite not having performance as its strong suit, the Outlander has decent fuel economy and advanced features. It also has PHEV variants, which is a great choice for drivers who want the best of both worlds.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander side profile.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander side profile.