2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

　　

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're interested in the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. To that, we ask, "Why?" The Outlander Sport might seem like a bargain compared to other SUVs in its class, and its powertrain warranty rivals those from Hyundai and Kia. However, this is one of those cases where the adage "you get what you pay for" rings true.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) 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

　　$142/mo  for Outlander Sport 2.0 S

　　Outlander Sport 2.0 S

　　2.0 S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $20,995 MSRP2.0 ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $22,995 MSRP2.0 ES 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,545 MSRP2.0 LE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,995 MSRP2.0 LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,545 MSRP2.0 SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,695 MSRP2.0 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $26,245 MSRP2.0 BE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,195 MSRP2.0 BE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $26,745 MSRP2.4 GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $26,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　In the decade since the Outlander Sport was introduced, other small SUVs in this class have made significant improvements through redesigns and refreshes, but this Mitsubishi seems mired in the past. In nearly every metric we use to evaluate vehicles, the Outlander Sport is handily outpaced by newer and better alternatives. To be blunt, Mitsubishi could do better and so can you.

　　We encourage you to check out not only the top SUVs in the class — including the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Rogue — but also less illustrious picks from Hyundai, Jeep and Subaru before settling on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

5.0/10

　　How does the Outlander Sport drive? The "Sport" in Outlander Sport is a misnomer. The engine is underpowered, the continuously variable automatic transmission performs poorly, and handling and suspension tuning are unrefined. It's a pretty dreary vehicle to drive. Acceleration is jumpy from a stop but settles into a 8.5-second crawl to 60 mph. Under heavy braking, we noted both extreme nosedive and side-to-side wiggle, neither of which instills confidence.

　　There's very little on-center steering feel, so you must constantly tend to the Outlander Sport's steering, and inputs are met with a delayed reaction from the SUV. Stiff shocks make the Outlander Sport skittish, especially around bumpy corners, yet do nothing to tame the large amounts of body roll.

　　

Comfort

5.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Outlander Sport? The Outlander Sport lacks the ride comfort and suspension compliance of its competition. For a vehicle that has been on the market for as long as this Mitsu has, there's really no excuse for this. It's OK for around-town use, but long-distance drivers should look elsewhere.

　　The ride is particularly egregious: harsh over bumps yet floaty over smoother undulations, giving you the worst of both worlds. The leather-upholstered seats in our test vehicle were hard and inflexible, and the cabin was noisy from traffic, road surfaces and the loud climate control fans.

　　

Interior

6.0/10

　　How’s the interior? If you're the right size, the Outlander Sport's ergonomics are appealing. This SUV is easy to operate, with clearly marked controls and an easy-to-read instrument panel. The large door openings allow easy access to the front seats. Rear passengers will have to duck a bit to maneuver into the seats. Overall, interior space is lacking, with less rear headroom than some competitors and an interior that feels tight from every seat.

　　Compounding the lack of roominess, the driver's seating position is not particularly adjustable, forcing you into a sit-up-at-the-dinner-table posture. Visibility is also lacking, with large roof pillars and a small rear window that limits your view out of the back.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Don't come here if you're looking to get your connectivity or mobile technology fix. What the Outlander Sport provides is basic connectivity. One upshot of the simple infotainment system is that it's very easy to learn to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't standard on the base model, but the standard Bluetooth connectivity is simple to set up.

　　Basic active safety features such as automatic emergency braking are not standard and only appear on the midrange SE trim or higher. There's no adaptive cruise control at any trim level.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Outlander Sport doesn't excel in any area but works acceptably for cargo duty. The 60/40-split rear bench seat can be folded without removing the headrests or sliding the seats forward, but the release button is difficult to access from the cargo area. Once folded, the load floor is flat and expansive, and the tall roofline makes loading easy.

　　There's an average amount of small-item storage inside the Outlander Sport. The door pockets are large and can accommodate a medium-size water bottle, and the cubby under the center stack can hold a phone. There are two cupholders and a cubby situated in the center console. Car seats can be accommodated in the two outboard rear seating positions thanks to easily accessible lower hooks, while the upper hooks can only be accessed from the cargo area.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Outlander Sport GT is rated to get 25 mpg in combined driving (23 city/28 highway). We saw an average of 22.7 mpg over the course of three fill-ups while driving on city, highway and mountain roads. While on the low side, this type of result is expected for an underpowered vehicle.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Outlander Sport a good value? For those who value cost above all else, the Outlander Sport offers the basics as a compact SUV. We could easily recommend any number of other models, but they would all cost more. Our test vehicle came in a few thousand dollars under direct competitors. But you may be willing to spend more to get better performance, additional connectivity features and safety assists that are simply not available on the Outlander Sport.

　　The Outlander Sport's design is dated, but it feels sturdily assembled even if the quality of materials is subpar. On the plus side, Mitsubishi offers a very strong warranty and a roadside assistance program similar to those found on premium vehicles. That peace of mind certainly adds to the Outlander Sport's value proposition.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　A jack-of-all-trades but a master of none, the Outlander Sport is purely a machine for transportation. Any sort of fun or enjoyment will come from the overactive imagination of the driver. As an easily approachable, no-nonsense car, the Outlander Sport appeals to those who prioritize a low price above any kind of driving satisfaction. It's not the most charismatic car you'll meet on the road, but thanks to its warranty and roadside assistance, it is dependable.

　　

Which Outlander Sport does zzdcar recommend?

It's pretty rare that we'd recommend a top-of-the-line trim in a lineup, but considering that the Outlander Sport GT only costs $4,000 more than the base ES model and comes with a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, it's a no-brainer. This is especially true when you consider that even this model is underpowered for the class, making the supporting models dreadfully slow.

　　

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a small SUV available in four trim levels: ES, LE, SE and GT. All but the GT model are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque) that is mated to a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The GT receives a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (168 hp, 167 lb-ft) that powers all four wheels.

　　ES

　　The ES base model is fairly light on features. The highlights include:

　　LED headlights 18-inch alloy wheels Heated mirrors Automatic wipers Auto-dimming mirror Height-adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seats Automatic climate control 7-inch touchscreen Four-speaker audio system Single USB port Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Automatic high beamsLE

　　Stepping up to the LE trim adds:

　　Leather-wrapped steering wheel 8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Satellite radio Heated front seats Additional USB portSE

　　The SE trim adds a handful of convenience and technology features such as:

　　Chrome exterior trim Power-folding mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Six-speaker audio system Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)GT

　　The range-topping GT model adds the more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, plus:

　　Roof rails Imitation leather upholstery

　　

2021 Outlander Sport Highlights

Trim: 2.0 S2.0 ES2.0 LE2.0 SE2.0 BE2.4 GT2.0 S

　　

Base MSRP	$20,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$142/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles