2022 Mitsubishi Outlander AWC - On a Budget 3-Row SUV Review
FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND. As in DOLLARS. Mitsubishi Motors wants consumers to keep that figure in mind. Because as of September 2021 it is the average transaction price Americans paid for a new vehicle. Walk into the rarer Diamond Star brand showroom and their most expensive vehicle undercuts the average new car transaction price by a wide margin.
A completely re-designed 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5L AWC 3-Row, based on parent automaker Nissan's Rogue 2-Row compact crossover, resumes its place on ROADBLAZING.COM On a Budget new vehicle list, filling any internet browser query for "most affordable 3-Row, 7-passenger mid-size crossover SUV in the land."
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5L AWC Driving Hits:
- 181 horsepower = +10% hp improvement (vs. outgoing 2018 Outlander 2.4L SEL AWC) on 87 AKI unleaded gasoline
- 181 pound-feet = +12% pound-feet torque
- 8-step automatic continuously variable transaxle w/ center console toggle shift lever & steering wheel dorsal shift paddles
- 5 drive modes: Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Snow Gravel (6th "Mud" mode in AWC only models)
- Peppier than predecessor's 2.4L, without resorting to turbocharging
- 26 combined miles per gallon, 438 miles highway range without resorting to electrification...yet.
- ABS torque vectoring included
- Fully independent suspension commendably filters any quiver from the immense 20" inch wheels maintaining mostly adequate motion control
- Large disc brake rotors at each corner
- Vastly tighter panel seams (vs. 2017 Outlander 2.4L SEL AWC)
- Substantial wind and road noise reduction
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5L AWC Driving Misses:
- No V-6 or turbocharging powerplant option trails competition
- CVT's don't snap off redline shifts
- Fair bit of body roll to accommodate 20" wheels
- Little road feel at the helm
- Brakes response languid
- No hybrid option...yet
- Non-engaging engine or exhaust note
What It Has Got:
- Pricing: from $26,990 (incl. destination) for an 8-step automatic continuously variable transaxle, front wheel drive 4th generation GN21 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5L ES, replacing 3rd generation Outlander GG series.
- As tested 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5L ES AWC = $35,295
- ALL NEW FOR '22: Complete re-designed and newly powered 3-Row crossover utility vehicle, based on T33 Nissan Rogue.
- Clamshell hood flows onto tri-lateral bar upper grill flowing outboard to thin directionals / DRL bars; Dark lattice middle center grille = flanked by chunky inboard fang housing LED light arrays, with chrome borders; Lower air intake splitter followed by body color simulated skid plate; Large wheel arches feature tracing creases;
- Tall beltline allows for powerful splitting upper style line crease and pronounced lower cheatline; B & C pillars = darkened to match privacy glass tint. Gloss black upper and trailing edge of D-Pillar evokes "floating roof" effect; Subtle lateral scoop with boomerang wrap-around taillamps adorn middle Kammback liftgate; Lower liftgate is "U"scooped again for a license plate bowl; Body color matching lower bumper features false dual corner exhaust outlet bezel while contrasting simulated skid plate is is emphatic
- Dark clad, over-sized wheel arches accommodates up to 18" to 20" inch wheels
- Fits 5 adults with spaciousness + 2 tyke sized
- 3 Row seating, 2nd Row: 40/20/40% split folding backs, 60/40% split sliding bench; 3rd Row: 50/50% split folding backs
- 34.1 (expandable to 65.4) cubic feet of belongings
- Sub cargo floor storage (for 3rd Row headrests)
- Cup holders x 4, Bottle holders x 6
- Exquisite build, materials and control details levels
- Comprehensive standard feature set
- √ Power windows, front full express; √ Power door locks; √ Dual Row 1 vanity mirror sunvisors; √ Heated side mirrors
- √ Keyless entry, push button ignition; √ 2-zone automatic climate control;
- √ LED headlights & taillights, Delay windshield wipers & de-icer(AWC only), √ Headlamps washers (AWC only)
- √ 7.0" TFT gauge cluster multi-function meter
- √ 8.0" capacitive touch LCD media display
- √ Bluetooth handsfree communication; √ SMS messaging
- 6-speaker HD FM, AM radio streaming audio
- Android Auto, AppleCar Play, MirrorLink phone projection
- USB-A x 1, USB-C x 1, 12V x 2
- Excellent safety features & ratings
- IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus - 2022 MY highest possible safety rating
- Driver assist tech (standard)
- 10 Airbags including driver's knee, Row 2 outboard and center; Roll over avoidance speed mitigation; Standard LED headlights; Automatic headlamps & high-beam activation; Rear view camera w/ park guidance grid
- Autonomous driver assistance
- Pedestrian and low speed forward collision avoidance braking, Blind spot warning, Rear cross traffic emergency auto-braking
- 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranties
What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):
- Blinding reflections from front-end exterior mirror chrome bling
- No available front seat cooling
- Row 3 legroom no better than outgoing model, suitable only for kindergartners
- No Row 3 vents
- No Row 2 Captain's chairs option, cushions short
- Front center armrest distant; Miniscule center console sub-armrest bin
- Scheduled maintenance not included
Standout Feature(s) on 2022 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2.5L SEL AWC:
- 20" alloy wheels
- √ Puddle lamps; √ genuine turned aluminum accents
- √ Auto dimming rear view mirror, √ Rain sensing windshield wipers
- √ 3-Zone automatic climate control, √ Row 2 front center console aft climate controls
- √ Power folding side mirrors, √ Power liftgate (SE and up)
- Heated quilted Leather seats (SEL and up), 4-way passenger power adjust, driver's 3 position seat & side mirror memory
- 12.3" inch variable digital driver instrument cluster
- 9.0" inch touch & voice command, guidance native GPS cloud navigation media display, w/ Sirius Travellink apps
- √ Qi inductive wireless phone charging tray; √ Row 1 overhead console retracting sunglasses bin
- Mi Pilot Advanced Autonomous Driver Assistance:
- Stop and Go full adaptive cruise control; Lane keep assist steering correction; NaviLink traffic dependent navigation routing
One Final Available, but non-included, Splurge SEL Touring Package:
- ♦ Heated steering wheel; ♦ 10.8" Heads Up Display; ♦ Bose 10-speaker audio; ♦ Aniline leather seating; ♦ Panoramic power moonroof; ♦ 2nd Row door manual sunshades
Which Trim to Pick:
- Roadblazing.com "Best Value Trim Pick": 2022 Mitsubishi SE AWC Launch package = most SEL cosmetics and amenities, except leather seating, power passenger seat and 2nd Row climate control, saves $2300.
Competition to Consider: Kia Sorento: less showy look, available 2nd Row captain's chairs, adult usable 3rd Row legroom
Buying Tips:
- When possible, locate an outgoing model year vehicle. They come with greater manufacturer sale and lease incentives.
- Do Your Homework." Scour manufacturer websites for "Rebates", "Incentives" or "Special Offers."
- Be flexible on options and colors. Be willing to consider what other consumers might readily pass on.
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