Name: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Brand: Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport First Drive

Summary

Introduction

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport -- A chopped version of the small Outlander SUV

Overview

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport gets some exterior styling updates to separate it from the crowded small SUV field. Some details include new power folding side mirrors with LED turn indicators, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and new-look 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, changes include a redesigned steering wheel, new 6.1-inch audio display, and new fabric for the seats.

The Outlander Sport is a chopped version of the small Outlander SUV, with reduced rear-seat and cargo space. The term "Sport" is used loosely here, referring more to size than performance. This is not a fun car to drive. It handles less nimbly than the larger Outlander, and acceleration is adequate at best. A choppy ride and a very noisy cabin further detract from driving fun. Still, even with its diminished dimensions the Outlander Sport retains the high seating position and some of the passenger-and-cargo versatility of its larger brand-mate. All-wheel drive comes only with the pricey top-trim version, where the Outlander Sport finds itself competing with sportier and roomier SUVs including the regular Outlander, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester.

Impressions

Ride comfort and noise The ride is often stiff-legged, with frequent abrupt pitches and some side-to-side rocking on rough pavement. Even on the highway, the ride is quite choppy and unsettled. A steady stream of road and wind noise permeates the cabin. Even modest acceleration adds a hard-edged, boisterous engine roar to the mix.

Handling Unlike the regular Outlander, handling feels vague and uncommunicative. While body lean is not excessive, at moderate speeds it builds fast if you try to hustle around corners. At our track, the Sport reached its cornering limits early on, wanting to run wide until the well-calibrated stability-control intervened. It proved secure and controllable threading our avoidance maneuver, though, posting a respectable speed and instilling driver confidence.

Powertrain Acceleration from the 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine feels sluggish. We measured 23 mpg overall using regular fuel -- not bad for an AWD SUV but not great for a small vehicle. The CVT is step-less, but it holds engine revs high which exacerbates engine noise. The company claims to have addressed some of these complaints for 2015, recalibrating the CVT.

The shift selector's zig-zag gate is slightly awkward to maneuver through. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel simulate six manual-shift points. You can switch off the all-wheel-drive system, theoretically to save fuel, and even select a Lock mode which yokes together all four wheels for use in slippery driving conditions.