Mitsubishi Outlander 2013 review

It's early days with our Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire, but we're already liking many things about the SUV -- including its new design, the efficiency and raft of equipment fit-out.

Price and features

We got hold of the top of the range new Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire that sells for about $51K with the optional $5500 Premium pack included in that price. But you can get one for as little as $28,990 for the base 2WD model.

This one has everything including stuff normally fitted to vehicles costing twice as much. Driver assist goodies like adaptive cruise control which maintains a set distance from cars in front, hill start assist, reverse sensors, and forward collision mitigation which is an auto braking system.

Of course, there's leather upholstery, power tailgate, auto headlights and wipers, Rockford Fosgate audio with a big sub-woofer, paddle shift for the six speed auto transmission, 7-inch touch screen and a whole lot more to make you happy.

Engine and transmissions 

The Outlander is built on an integral ladder chassis with button select all-wheel drive and a terrific powertrain driving through a slick six speed auto.  It's the perfect set up as far as we are concerned.

The engine is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 110kW/360Nm output. That's not startling in the greater scheme of things but it delivers full grunt at just 1500 revs  pretty much straight off idle.

Driving

This is the new generation Outlander with a more rounded and capacious body, and we like the styling. But looks aren't everything. The Outlander Aspire is economical, has plenty of performance, is robust enough to go a fair way off road, has good towing capacity of 2.0 tonnes and is not a bad looker either, though we reckon it needs bigger bumpers. It gets going a treat and pulls strongly through a wide rev range. Equally important is the five star crash rating and fuel economy of an impressive 5.8 litres/100km.

Mitsu' has fitted a selection of `eco' kit to the Outlander including a coaching system to help you minimise fuel use and engine friction reduction along with optimised ancillary functions such as the air conditioning and the 4WD system. There's a plug-in diesel hybrid Outlander just around the corner that really takes fuel economy to a new level. But this one is impressive in its own right.

We like the chrome body hardware, the stylish and functional interior and the smart key ignition. And it's the right size for city and country use -- not too big despite offering seven seats.