2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a value-packed Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that offers a spacious interior, a comfortable ride and a long list of standard features. This makes it the perfect vehicle for the whole family, but it can also be used to get to a work meeting or to transport a new piece of furniture in the boot. The Outlander competes with the Toyota Harrier, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.

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 2021 Outlander is based on the product concept ‘I-Fu-Do-Do’, which means authentic and majestic in Japanese. It has been transformed into a reliable SUV with significantly improved styling, driving performance and quality feel.

In addition, rain-sensing front wipers and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and automatic high beam have been added as standard.

Engines

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is powered by the 2.5-litre Nissan PR25DD I4 (GM4W) petrol engine, while the PHEV variants use the 2.4-litre 4B12 I4 (GN0W) engine.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Grades

  1. 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander LS– This is the entry-level grade that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows and locks and 7 seats.
  2. 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander ES– This grade comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, electric windows and locks and a six-speaker sound system.
  3. 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander VRX– This is the top trim level and comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, surround view camera system, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
  4. 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV– The PHEV is available in ES and VRX trims, this variant has the same features as both but adds a PHEV-specific instrument cluster, EV mode, Eco mode, Power mode, charging timer and remote climate control.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Interior

The cabin of the 2021 Outlander offers an enhanced sense of quality and comfort, with a high-quality interior, comfortable three-row seven-seat layout and liquid crystal meter displays.First row seats offer ample legroom and headroom and are electrically adjustable for added comfort.In the second row, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom, and the seats are reasonably supportive.The rear seats are a little cramped and best suited for children or small adults.To get in and out of the third-row seats, the second-row seats need to be folded forward on either side.

The Outlander’s infotainment controls are easy to reach and include physical buttons as well as the standard touchscreen. Other standard features include dual-zone climate control, push-button start, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, HD radio, USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Cargo Space

The 2021 Mitsubishi 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, there is 63 cubic feet of space.

2021 Mitsubishi Oultander cargo space

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Exterior

The 2021 Outlander has a bold and modern exterior design that emphasises its powerful presence.The front end features a next-generation Dynamic Shield flanked by sharp LED headlights and daytime running lights.The body is muscular and sculpted, with pronounced wheel arches. The rear end is characterised by upright styling centred around the high-mounted T-shaped tail lights, giving a sense of strength and robustness.

Safety features; 7 SRS airbags (driver, front passenger, side curtain and driver’s knee airbag), 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 performance of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is not particularly impressive, but it is still sufficient for most driving needs. The 2.5-litre engine only produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, which is not as powerful as other SUVs in the same class.
In terms of handling, the 2021 Outlander has a well-tuned suspension that provides a good balance of performance.
The electric power steering is light and easy to turn at low speeds, but firm at motorway speeds.
The 2021 Outlander also features an updated electronically controlled 4WD and S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) system, as well as a newly developed drive mode selector, all of which contribute to safe and secure road handling. They also help to improve stability and handling, especially on slippery or bumpy roads.
2021 Mitsubishi Oultander odometre

2021 Mitsubishi Oultander odometre

Reliability

 The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is regarded as a reliable SUV and has been praised by owners for its low maintenance costs. However, there have been some reports of minor problems with the Outlander. Some of the most commonly reported problems are: engine stalling, shuddering when trying to accelerate, dented roof, chipped paint, HVAC temperature knob issues and automatic transmission failure.
It is important to note that not every Outlander will experience these problems and some Outlanders may experience other problems not listed here. If you are planning to buy or currently own a Mitsubishi Outlander, it is important that you read the Owner’s Manual and Buyer’s Guide for detailed information.

2021 Mitsubishi Oultander bonnet

Pros

Third row of seats
Fuel efficiency
Standard equipment

Cons

Dull performance

Verdict

The 2021 Outlander is a solid choice for a mid-size SUV: it’s not the most exciting to drive, but it’s practical, affordable and comfortable. The Outlander also has seven seats, plenty of the latest safety technology and an engine that won’t let you down on the road.

2021 Mitsubishi Oultander side profile.