The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Desperately Needs A Comeback
The 2022 Mitusbishi Outlander is almost here. In fact, it should make its debut in about two weeks on February 16th, and there is a lot riding on it. The older Mitsubishi Outlander models really haven’t done so well against competitors.
Will the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander be a better SUV?
According to Car and Driver, it won’t be hard for the new Mitsubishi Outlander to surpass expectations. The older models set the bar pretty low. But clues as to what to expect have been kept under wraps.
We know the 2022 Mistubishi Outlander will have a new exterior design, and leaked spy images show a much more modern-looking SUV. Also, the interior will be revamped, and the tech will be modernized. Welcome to the future, Outlander.
Also, rumors suggest that the new Outlander will share a platform and possibly more with the Nissan Rogue, which just got a refresh of its own. But it hasn’t seemed to take on rivals like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V very well.
What will come with the new Outlander?
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is expected to have the same 2.5-liter inline-four engine that’s found in the Nissan Rogue. It pumps out 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. This is an underwhelming amount of power.
But on a positive note, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV model should have more power. It will be upgraded from a 2.0-liter engine to a larger 2.4-liter inline-four option. The current model offers an electric range of 43 miles, so it could be extended.
Mitsubishi also said that the new Outlander will be the best-equipped vehicle they have ever sold in the United States. But what does this mean exactly? Will it have all the tech features like a heads up display and larger screen?
Will it have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Maybe it will come with optional all-wheel-drive and off-roading modes. Or perhaps tons of modern safety features will now come standard. We will find out soon.
What’s wrong with older Outlander models?
We went to Edmunds for a review. The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander received criticism for having an underpowered engine that feels slow, and Edmunds said it’s not fun to drive. But the GT trim does offer a V6 engine. Also, the brakes require a hard squeeze to get this SUV to stop.
The engine is noisy, and bumps in the road send rattles through the cabin. The seats are described as being fairly uncomfortable due to a lack of adjustments. Plus, the high-mounted seats makes it difficult for taller adults to sit comfortably. But the thrid-row is average for the class.
Storage is limited with only a small center console and two cup holders in the front. Also, the SUV only offers two USB ports, which can be limiting on family road trips. At least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.
There isn’t much included with the base model price. The 2020 Outlander begins at around $24,895. You have to go up in price to add safety features such as lane departure warning, forward collision assistance, and more.
