The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the GMC Terrain may look great, but you should think carefully about purchasing one. Both tend to rank poorly in critic scores this year. While each has some great qualities, the negatives may be a deal breaker. Let’s take a closer look at some of the critiques these two small SUVs have gotten.

Edmunds is not impressed with these SUVs

The results are in for Edmunds’ Best Small SUVs of 2023 and 2024, and things are looking so good for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the GMC Terrain. Both came in last place in their respective category.

These results came after weeks of testing. The company tests cars on both a track and real-world streets. Results are a combination of over 30 scores covering various categories.

The winner from the extra-small SUV category was the Volkswagen Taos. The Mazda CX-50 won first place in the small SUV category.

Where the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport came up short

There’s a lot to love about the Outlander Sport. It has a tough-looking exterior, selectable AWD, and it’s affordable. The MSRP ranges from $22,995 – $28,045, which is average for this category. It also gets decent fuel mileage, with a combined mpg rating of 25 – 26.

In spite of this, Edmunds gave it a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The question now is why it’s rated so poorly.

The short answer is that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is too simple. Most consumers want lots of tech like backup cameras, large infotainment touchscreens, and lane-keep assist. The Outlander Sport does not offer anything like this. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on higher trim levels, but you need to seriously question if the extra money is worth the tech you can get standard from competitors.

Then there is the fact that the Outlander Sport is not a great daily driver. Edmunds reported that the experts driving it could feel every bump, and the transmission is slow to respond. When accelerating, drivers are treated to what Edmunds refers to as a “raucous drone.” 

While Mitsubishi is not a luxury brand, consumers still expect some level of quality, and the Outlander Sport doesn’t deliver. The interior feels bland and cheap. If that wasn’t bad enough, it’s also cramped, as there isn’t a lot of head or legroom.

If you’re currently searching for an extra-small SUV, then you’d be better off investing your money in the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30, or Volkswagen Taos.

The GMC Terrain also has room for improvement

The GMC Terrain earned praise from Edmunds for its tech and cozy interior. That’s where the admiration ended.

Edmunds was less than enthusiastic about the high MSRP range of $29,900 – $38,600. Other small SUVs cost slightly less and offer more. Another factor that Edmunds was less than pleased with was the weak engine. GMC equipped the Terrain with an inline 4-cylinder engine, which generates 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Accelerating may leave you feeling like a tortoise as it’s painfully slow.

The seating is also less than stellar. The front seats are decent enough, but the back seats are definitely not suitable for long trips. In the end, Edmunds gave the GMC Terrain a rating of 6.5 out of 10.