2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test EditorKurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
What's new
Top SEL trim level replaced by the GT trim levelSE trim gets blind-spot warningPart of the first-generation Outlander Sport introduced in 2011The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport packs a lot of features into a small and somewhat practical crossover body. It can make for a good value proposition, and Mitsubishi provides a pretty solid warranty, too. But this all assumes refinement, build quality and drivability don't feature too high on your list of must-haves.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$148/mo for Outlander Sport 2.0 ES
Outlander Sport 2.0 ES
2.0 ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M) - $20,945 MSRP2.0 ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $22,145 MSRP2.0 ES 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,645 MSRP2.0 LE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,145 MSRP2.0 LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,645 MSRP2.0 SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,545 MSRP2.0 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,045 MSRP2.0 SP 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,545 MSRP2.0 SP 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,045 MSRP2.4 GT 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $25,045 MSRP2.4 GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $26,545 MSRP
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
It's fairly noisy, and even with the bigger of the two engines, it's not the least bit quick off the line or at highway speeds. The ride can get downright uncomfortable on rough roads, and it's not terribly versatile when it comes to hauling cargo. In other words, any prospective Outlander Sport buyer will need to value feature content and a decent warranty above all else.
If Mitsubishi could give it a better engine and suspension tuning, it might give a few brands a run for their money. But in one of the most hotly contested segments, the dated Outlander Sport comes up short. You'll be happier with other crossover SUVs such as the Honda HR-V, the Hyundai Kona or the Mazda CX-3.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
6.1 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL (2.4L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Outlander Sport has received only minor revisions, including an updated infotainment system and the replacement of the SEL trim level with the GT trim. Our findings remain applicable to this year's model.
Scorecard
Overall | 6.1 / 10 |
Driving | 5.0 |
Comfort | 5.0 |
Interior | 6.0 |
Utility | 6.5 |
Driving
5.0The "Sport" in Outlander Sport is a misnomer. The 2.0-liter engine is underpowered, the CVT performs poorly, and the handling and suspension tuning are unrefined. It's a pretty dreary vehicle to drive.
Acceleration
5.5Our measured 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds with the 2.4-liter engine is a bit better than average for this class of vehicle. Performance suffers with the smaller engine, though. With either engine, acceleration is uneven because of an overly sensitive gas pedal.
Braking
5.5The brake pedal is soft, so you may have to press a bit harder than expected to slow the Outlander Sport. Distances in simulated panic stops from 60 mph are reasonable for this class. However, stability under hard braking is poor due to extreme nosedive and side-to-side wiggling.
Steering
5.0Every steering motion is met with a delayed body reaction. Even worse, there's very little on-center feel. You constantly have to make adjustments to keep the Outlander Sport going straight down the road.
Handling
5.0The Outlander Sport suffers from skittish handling and large amounts of body roll when it's driven aggressively around turns. It doesn't inspire much confidence in its ability to make evasive maneuvers during emergency handling situations.
Drivability
5.0The Outlander Sport lurches forward when you first accelerate because of a jumpy gas pedal and overly aggressive CVT transmission gearing. You can manually shift for fixed-gear ratios with the shift paddles, but reactions are sluggish and inconsistent.
Comfort
5.0The Outlander Sport lacks the ride comfort and suspension compliance of its competition. It's OK for around-town use, but those who often drive long distances will find it overly fidgety on the highway.
Seat comfort
5.0Our test vehicle had the leather upholstery. It's hard and inflexible, reducing comfort. You also tend to sit very upright, like you're at a dinner table. It's not comfortable for long-distance driving.
Ride comfort
4.0Kind of the worst of all worlds. The Outlander Sport rides harshly over sharp-edged bumps and cracks, yet it is floaty over smooth undulations in the road.
Noise & vibration
5.0There's no escaping noise inside the Outlander Sport. From the droning engine to road and wind noise, it always makes you aware of your environment. The engine is very noisy during hard acceleration.
Climate control
6.0The Outlander Sport's climate system is loud when you crank up the fan speed. Overall, system performance is adequate.
Interior
6.0The Outlander Sport's controls are easy enough to use, but the ergonomics aren't suited to a wide range of body types. It's also hard to see out the back windows.
Ease of use
7.0All controls are easy to access and clearly marked. The metal column-mounted paddle shifters are a nice touch — most cars just have plastic. The gauges are clear and readable.
Getting in/getting out
7.0The front doors are large and open wide. Although it's equipped with keyless entry, you still have to push a button on the door handle to lock and unlock. Front passengers will find getting in and out is easy, but taller adults will have to duck their heads to get in back.
Driving position
5.0The Outlander Sport puts you in an upright driving position that recalls a parent's reminder to sit up at the dinner table. Even with eight-way power seats and an adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the range of adjustability is limited.
Roominess
5.0It seems as small on the inside as its compact exterior proportions suggest. This is not a vehicle for taller passengers. Despite the rear seat cushion's low perch, headroom is still lacking.
Visibility
6.0There's good visibility forward and to the sides, but large roof pillars and a small rear window limit your view out the back. The side mirrors are large. The rearview camera has a low resolution, but it's still usable and helps in confined parking lots.
Quality
7.5The Outlander Sport is built well. While the design is dated, all the trim pieces fit together as a cohesive unit. There were no rattles and noises from our test vehicle. The quality of the materials is subpar, however.
Utility
6.5The Outlander Sport doesn't excel in any area, but it is adequate for cargo duty. There's also plenty of small-item storage available.
Small-item storage
6.0You'll find lots of small-item storage. The door pockets are large and can take a medium-size water bottle, and the cubby under the center stack can hold a phone. There are two cupholders and a cubby in the center console.
Cargo space
6.0The 60/40-split bench can be folded without removing the headrests or sliding seats forward, but the release button is difficult to access from the hatch. Once folded, the area is flat and expansive, and the tall roofline and short carry-over distance make loading easy.
Child safety seat accommodation
7.5Car seats can be accommodated in the two outboard rear seating positions thanks to easily accessible LATCH points. The upper anchors can only be accessed from the hatch area.
Which Outlander Sport does zzdcar recommend?
We like the Outlander Sport's GT trim. While it's the most expensive trim level, it comes with features many of its rivals don't offer for the same price. Getting the two-wheel-drive model keeps the costs down a bit and will help nudge your fuel economy numbers a bit higher, too.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models
The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes in four trim levels: ES, LE, SE and GT. The entry-level ES and the SE are motivated by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 145 pound-feet of torque). The new 2019 GT (it replaces last year's SEL) is powered by a stronger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (168 hp, 167 lb-ft).
All come standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. On the ES, you can get a five-speed manual transmission. Otherwise, the Outlander Sport comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
Standard ES features include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, cruise control, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a driver information display, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, and a four-speaker audio system with a USB port.
Next up is the LE. It adds foglights, LED running lights, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android and Apple phone integration, satellite radio and an extra USB port. The SE is similar but has a six-speaker audio system, keyless ignition and entry, and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Stepping up to the GT, you get xenon headlights, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, exterior and interior styling tweaks, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
2019 Outlander Sport Highlights
Trim: 2.0 ES2.0 LE2.0 SE2.0 SP2.4 GT2.0 ES
Base MSRP | $20,945 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $148/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
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