2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV

　　

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the least expensive SUV in the Japanese automaker's lineup and also one of the oldest vehicle designs currently on sale. The Outlander Sport was introduced in 2011 and has undergone many exterior face-lifts in the intervening years. The styling tweaks help the small crossover look more like a modern offering, but there's only so much you can do to mask the Outlander Sport's aging architecture.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 S 4dr SUV AWD (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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$149/mo  for Outlander Sport 2.0 S

　　Outlander Sport 2.0 S

　　2.0 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $22,995 MSRP2.0 ES 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $24,995 MSRP2.0 LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,945 MSRP2.0 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,245 MSRP2.0 RALLIART 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,795 MSRP2.4 GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $28,045 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　For its 12th year on the market, the Outlander Sport receives standard all-wheel drive across the lineup. Other than that, changes are minimal for 2023. The small SUV continues to offer the same blend of value, practicality and acceptable driving dynamics. We recommend checking out its competitors, the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50, Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson, before going with the Mitsubishi. But if you just need basic transportation from point A to B with a good warranty, the Outlander Sport might fit the bill. Read our Expert Rating below to get all the details on it.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below