The Mitsubishi Outlander is supposed to be up there competing with the big dogs as an SUV with three rows. But instead of being an excellent option for your family, the Mitsubishi Outlander is falling behind the competition. 

You Need To Avoid The Mitsubishi Outlander 

The Mitsubishi Outlander starts around $24k, making it a price-friendly option for families. However, the Kia Sorento starts around $26k. 

We know that Kia has turned its reputation around, but it’s still worrisome when something is cheaper than a Kia. 

However, for its price, the Mitsubishi has a more than fair fuel economy. It gets up to 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. 

Mitsubishi Outlander Performance 

The Mitsubishi Outlander has two engine options available. The base model comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 166 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. 

We recommend upgrading to the 3.0-liter V6 engine instead. It provides 224 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. 

Depending on which build you choose, the Mitsubishi Outlander can tow between 1,500 to 3,500 lb. However, the Kia Sorento is a little beefier with the ability to tow up to 5,000 lb. 

Also, despite having a V6 engine, the Mitsubishi Outlander feels a little sluggish. It takes nearly 7.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. 

On a positive note, the Mitsubishi Outlander does offer all-wheel drive. AWD may raise the price a little, but it will make traversing through snow, mud, and sand much more manageable. 

There are a few different all-wheel-drive modes to choose from, including snow, gravel, and sand, to help adjust to changing terrains. 

Plus, the torque and braking power are automatically adjusted to help you remain in control if needed. However, keep in mind that this is a road trip vehicle, not an off-roading one. 

Mitsubishi Outlander Features 

The Mitsubishi Outlander brags about having a comfortable interior to enjoy. It’s outfitted with padded leather seats that include power positioning and lumbar support. 

We’re sure that the MacPherson struts and stabilizer bar in the front with a multi-link suspension and stabilizer bar in the rear provide a smooth and quiet ride. 

The second row of seats was redesigned to enhance comfort as well, but the third row seems cramped and difficult to get to.  

Behind the rear seat, there are only 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space, so good luck packing your luggage. But with the seats folded down, you can access up to 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space. 

The touchscreen infotainment center can connect the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but that’s about it for tech. However, there are  USB charging ports in the second row, which helps charge devices. 

Also, the Mitsubishi Outlander is safe with features such as blind-spot warning, lane departure assistance, pedestrian detection, forward collision prevention, hill start assist, and more. 

But the Mitsubishi Outlander needs to be avoided because it’s boring. Unless you want a comfortable ride on the pavement, go with an SUV that’s more powerful, more capable, and with smarter tech for the ability to do more during road trips.