2016 Mitsubishi Outlander – Bold New Face

Despite being all-new in 2014, and receiving a facelift in 2015, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander sees over 100 engineering and design improvements.

The first thing most will notice is the bold front fascia. The chrome trim flows from the fenders, around the gaping grille and integrates the redesigned bumper.

Chrome accents extend down the sides and around the windows. LED taillights are now standard, as are 18-inch alloy wheels.

While the cosmetic changes are nice, the interior sees the most appreciated improvements. The seats are more supportive and comfortable, and road noise has been greatly reduced. Trim accents are more understated and give the Outlander a more upscale feel.

Using the infotainment system has been made easier thanks to the return of buttons. This allows you to change settings and get where you want to go faster.

Mitsubishi still offers a third row of seating in the Outlander. However, like most 3-row SUVs, this is only practical for small children.

Accessing that third row or maximizing cargo space has been made simple by Mitsubishi. The Outlander’s enhanced second row folding seat can be stowed quickly and with one hand.

The Outlander is still the only compact SUV that offers a V6. Those who want to occasionally tow will be interested as it can haul 3500 lbs and there’s no other options in this segment that can match that.

However, Mitsubishi is expecting its 4-cylinder engine to be its main seller. The engine itself doesn’t see any changes, but the CVT-8 transmission has changed how the power gets to the wheels.

Acceleration and performance have improved through better torque delivery. Also, fuel economy has increased so you will notice the gains on the road and in your wallet.

Mitsubishi’s All-Wheel Control is standard on all but the base model. This 4WD system is competent and inspires driver confidence in all road conditions.

Despite all the updates, the new Outlander shares some key attributes as its predecessor.

First, it is based on the 2015 model, which received a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS – the highest safety designation awarded. Forward Collision Mitigation technology had a big helping hand in that respect as it alerts drivers to potential collisions with visual and audio alerts, and automatically applies emergency braking to reduce the severity or help avoid the collision altogether.

The second is tied to Mitsubishi’s brand statement: Built Better, Backed Better. The Outlander is backed by the best warranty in the business – 10-year or 160,000-km limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year or 100,000-km limited warranty along with 5 years, unlimited roadside assistance.

Considering the amount of effort Mitsubishi put into improving the Outlander, it should prove to be a worthy rival in the compact SUV segment. The Honda CR-V are still popular.

What do you think about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander? Does this updated package interest you?