1 of the Cheapest 3-Row SUVs Boasts a 10-Year Warranty
Family haulers often carry a hefty price tag, but the Mitsubishi Outlander stands out as one of the cheapest three-row SUVs. Along with the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Outlander is the most affordable seven-seater. It offers an appealing balance of features, style, performance, affordability, and practicality. But that’s not all. It also boasts a 10-year warranty.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a rare compact SUV with 3 rows
The value-packed Mitsubishi Outlander abounds with features to make driving more enjoyable and safer. The 2024 model has six trims: the ES, SE, SE Tech, Black Edition, SEL, SEL Touring, and SEL Premium. Starting at only $28,395, the Outlander is one of the cheapest three-row SUVs.
Even the base model is loaded with advanced driver-assistance systems. They include blind-spot warning with lane change assist, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, rear automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
Depending on the trim, drivers get an 8.0-inch or 9.0-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto, and wired or wireless Apple CarPlay. Additional features include remote services through the Mitsubishi Connect app, wireless charging, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Higher trims also boast plush materials, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.
The Outlander packs a 2.5-liter inline-four engine making 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Mitsubishi gave the 2023 models various upgrades, including a new plug-in hybrid version. The base Outlander PHEV trim has a starting MSRP of $39,845, while the highest trim level, the 40th Anniversary Edition, starts at $49,995.
Meanwhile, the Outlander PHEV models have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing 248 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV is perkier, managing a 6.6-second acceleration, while its gas-powered counterpart takes 9.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.
What makes the Outlander warranty outstanding?
Mitsubishi’s warranty coverage is among the best in the industry. In October 2020, the car manufacturer upped its offerings with five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, whichever comes first, for any new Mitsubishi. The warranty also includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, longer than most brands provide, and five years/unlimited mileage of roadside assistance.
So, what do the warranties mean for new car owners? For the bumper-to-bumper coverage, Mitsubishi will foot the bill for factory defects for the first five years or 60,000 miles. It’s important to note that this coverage doesn’t include normal wear and tear of items such as tires and brake pads or intentional damage.
In addition, the 10-year powertrain warranty covers various mechanical components of the car’s drive system. They include oil pans, drive shafts, timing chains, and differentials. The PHEV powertrain and high-voltage battery warranties are supplementary to the standard powertrain and bumper-to-bumper coverage and include the Outlander PHEV’s drive and battery components. The PHEV warranty applies only to Outlander models.
The impressive warranty coverage suggests Mitsubishi is confident in its vehicles’ reliability. However, the Outlander’s reliability ratings aren’t stellar across the board.
Mitsubishi’s cheap 3-row SUV has varying reliability scores
Mitsubishi gained access to more modern technology by joining forces with Nissan and Renault in 2017. The alliance seems to be paying off. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dependability Study, Mitsubishi ranks sixth in reliability, with fewer problems per 100 vehicles.
However, J.D. Power also gave the 2023 Outlander only an “average” 72 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Owners rated the power of the vehicle’s engine below average. They also thought the back seats weren’t that easy to access, which isn’t surprising for a compact SUV with three rows. Similarly, they rated the SUV’s ride as less comfortable than some competitors. However, Outlander owners like the well-insulated cabin and effective headlights.
On the other hand, the Outlander earned a higher 4 out of 5 in reliability from RepairPal. The car repair and maintenance database ranks the affordable three-row crossover eighth out of 26 compact SUVs.
