SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a new model intended for younger buyers and smaller families. It's built on the existing Outlander chassis with the same wheelbase, but it's 14.6 inches shorter overall. Most of that is lost cargo space plus a few inches to rear seat legroom. The 2011 Outlander Sport uses the Mitsubishi 2.0-liter engine that's in the base Lancer, and suffers somewhat because of it. Acceleration is okay, but there's little room to relax at the throttle. The excellent and efficient 2.4-liter engine that's in the Outlander and most Lancers (as well as the Jeep Patriot) was left on the shelf, mostly because the 2.0-liter gets about 2 more miles per gallon. Mitsubishi wanted to hit that magic number of 30 mpg, and in fact it achieved an EPA-estimated 25/31 mpg City/Highway.
We got 27.2 mpg averaging 46 mph during a one-hour run on a two-lane highway in Mexico in the front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport with manual transmission, and 19.7 mpg on the return, driving an all-wheel-drive Sport with CVT and flooring the throttle a few times to pass trucks.
There's a choice of two transmissions, either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-step CVT with paddle shifting, and both are excellent. If you like a manual you'll be happy with this one, or if you prefer an automatic the continuously variable transmission works well, although in many situations you have to shift it yourself or, as with most CVTs in low-powered cars, it feels lame, like it's dragging the car down.
The Outlander Sport doesn't merely reflect the latest Mitsubishi design, it cookie-cuts it. It's a Lancer front half with a downsized Outlander SUV back half. It's a good-looking vehicle, and very clean. The fish face snout takes some getting used to, but that's easy. It rears its snout with particular zeal in the darker colors. Some will never like it, but it is bold and distinctive. Those who like it will call it a shark nose. Others may compare it to a largemouth bass.
It's priced attractively, though options such as all-wheel-drive, super-premium sound system with doors designed around the speakers, and navigation will drive the price up. It offers a full complement of safety equipment.
From an aesthetic standpoint the interior is not exceptional, but it has everything, including a standard hands-free system that links phone, USB attachment, iPod and optional navigation. Leather is not available, but the fabric seats are good, and supportive. The rear 60/40 seat folds flat, and includes a center folding armrest with cupholders and a pass-through to the cargo space behind the rear seats. There's adequate rear seat legroom for a compact crossover, and excellent cargo space when the rear seat is folded flat.
The ride is okay for a compact crossover. You can feel the suspension keeping those undulating bumps away from your butt, however speed bumps break through. Around corners, especially at casual speeds, the steering wheel seems to have a sly little mind of its own, and the …
Full Review
Full Review
The 2011 Outlander Sport uses the Mitsubishi 2.0-liter engine that's in the base Lancer, and suffers somewhat because of it. Acceleration is okay, but there's little room to relax at the throttle. The excellent and efficient 2.4-liter engine that's in the Outlander and most Lancers (as well as the Jeep Patriot) was left on the shelf, mostly because the 2.0-liter gets about 2 more miles per gallon. Mitsubishi wanted to hit that magic number of 30 mpg, and in fact it achieved an EPA-estimated 25/31 mpg City/Highway.
We got 27.2 mpg averaging 46 mph during a one-hour run on a two-lane highway in Mexico in the front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport with manual transmission, and 19.7 mpg on the return, driving an all-wheel-drive Sport with CVT and flooring the throttle a few times to pass trucks.
There's a choice of two transmissions, either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-step CVT with paddle shifting, and both are excellent. If you like a manual you'll be happy with this one, or if you prefer an automatic the continuously variable transmission works well, although in many situations you have to shift it yourself or, as with most CVTs in low-powered cars, it feels lame, like it's dragging the car down.
The Outlander Sport doesn't merely reflect the latest Mitsubishi design, it cookie-cuts it. It's a Lancer front half with a downsized Outlander SUV back half. It's a good-looking vehicle, and very clean. The fish face snout takes some getting used to, but that's easy. It rears its snout with particular zeal in the darker colors. Some will never like it, but it is bold and distinctive. Those who like it will call it a shark nose. Others may compare it to a largemouth bass.
It's priced attractively, though options such as all-wheel-drive, super-premium sound system with doors designed around the speakers, and navigation will drive the price up. It offers a full complement of safety equipment.
From an aesthetic standpoint the interior is not exceptional, but it has everything, including a standard hands-free system that links phone, USB attachment, iPod and optional navigation. Leather is not available, but the fabric seats are good, and supportive. The rear 60/40 seat folds flat, and includes a center folding armrest with cupholders and a pass-through to the cargo space behind the rear seats. There's adequate rear seat legroom for a compact crossover, and excellent cargo space when the rear seat is folded flat.
The ride is okay for a compact crossover. You can feel the suspension keeping those undulating bumps away from your butt, however speed bumps break through. Around corners, especially at casual speeds, the steering wheel seems to have a sly little mind of its own, and the …
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| Engine | 2.0L I-4 |
| MPG | 25 City / 31 Hwy |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd CVT w/OD |
| Power | 148 @ 6000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
