Give it up for the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. It deserves a full round of applause for earning a huge award. The Mitsubishi Outlander is the most improved vehicle of 2021. See what significant upgrades helped it earn the top spot. 

Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a good SUV? 

Yes, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a great SUV to consider. According to U.S.News, it’s the most improved vehicle of 2021. That means it received the most significant improvements compared to other vehicles like the Nissan Rogue that were also refreshed. 

The Outlander received a Critic Score Improvement of 2.2. The largest improvement was found in the interior. New near-luxury materials replaced cheap plastic materials. Also, the Outlander gained an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, two USB ports, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. 

What else is new for the 2022 Outlander? 

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has an MSRP of about $25,795. This is the price before destination fees, and dealership markups have been added. It’s now a little pricier than its compact crossover rivals, like the Nissan Rogue. 

Along with a refreshed interior, the Outlander also got a new exterior design to stand out as a more modern and confident option. The new grille design, led headlights, and intricate 20-inch wheels, and sharper lines look great. 

You can opt for a 9.0-inch touchscreen, Wireless Apple CarPlay, a hands-free power liftgate, wireless charging pad, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Bose audio system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance to kick things up a notch. 

But the engine could have a little more power. According to Car and Driver, the 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine provides 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It feels a bit slow compared to the Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5. Edmunds noted that it takes about 9.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. You can add all-wheel drive for about $1,800.

However, it now shares a platform with the Nissan Rogue and has a much sportier performance. The steering is responsive, the handling is agile, and body motions are well controlled. Things may get bumpy on back roads, though, and road noise enters the cabin at higher speeds. 

What are the Outlander’s features like? 

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and up to 31 mpg on the highway. This is a pretty average fuel economy. The upcoming Outlander plug-in-hybrid variant should be better on gas. 

Passengers in the front and second rows will have plenty of space to enjoy. However, the third row is pretty tight. It’s reserved for shorter kids. You can access up to 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 79.7 cubic feet total. 

There are plenty of storage spaces, including a tray under the center stack. The underarm bin is pretty deep, but the rear door pockets are a little limited. Also, you have to fold down the rear center seat to access cupholders in the back. 

The Mitsubishi Outlander has transformed into a much more luxurious and sporty ride compared to previous model years. It might not have the best amount of space for families with more than two kids, but what it lacks in space it makes up for with comfort and refinement.