Monday, 20 February 2023 07:57

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The Outlander Sport is not for those who want the latest technology or for those whose passion is driving. Instead, it's for getting passengers and cargo from point A to point B. Its climate and radio controls are easy to use, and having selectable all-wheel drive helps those who live in less temperate climates.

Pros
Well equipped for the price
Excellent warranty coverage

Cons
The ride is rough over bumpy roads
Many interior materials look and feel cheap
Transmission is aggravatingly slow to respond
Raucous drone while accelerating, especially with 2.0-liter engine

What's new

All-wheel drive is now standard across the board
Special Edition trims no longer available
Part of the first Outlander Sport generation introduced in 2011

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.

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.

6.1/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds 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.
The Outlander Sport is not for those who want the latest technology or for those whose passion is driving. Instead, it's for getting passengers and cargo from point A to point B. Its climate and radio controls are easy to use, and having selectable all-wheel drive helps those who live in less temperate climates.
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 driver 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 6.010

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 Edmunds recommend?

It might be tempting to get the cheapest Outlander Sport available, but we think the midtier LE trim hits the sweet spot and is worth spending a few thousand more for. That model gets you a tech upgrade with a larger 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. You'll also enjoy extra creature comforts like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is available in five trim levels: S, ES, LE, SE and GT. All but the GT are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque). The GT receives a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (168 hp, 167 lb-ft). Both engines come paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive is standard on all models.

S
The base S model comes impressively equipped. Highlights include:

16-inch wheels
LED headlights
Automatic high beams
Heated, power exterior mirrors
Automatic wipers
Height-adjustable driver's seat
60/40-split folding rear seats
Automatic climate control
7-inch touchscreen
Drive mode selector
Four-speaker audio system
Single USB port
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
These driver aids are standard on all trim levels:

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-beam assist

ES
The ES adds:

18-inch alloy wheels
LED foglights

LE
Stepping up to the LE trim adds:

Leather-wrapped steering wheel
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Heated front seats with contrast stitching
Additional front and rear USB ports
Voice recognition controls

SE
Moving up to the SE trim adds:

Power-folding mirrors
Hands-free keyless entry and push-button ignition
Six-speaker audio system
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

GT
Besides the more powerful engine, the range-topping GT model gets you:

Black roof rails
Leather upholstery
Black headliner
Power-adjustable driver's seat

edmunds.com

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