2009 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 3.0 V6

Summary:

Good value SUV for the price; time and KMs will tell all

Faults:

The air bag light came on when the vehicle was about 18 months old. Problem turned out to be the ECU that controls the air bags; this was replaced under warranty by the dealer. No other problems since.

General Comments:

The 3.0L with the paddle shift and 6 speed auto works well. The 6 speed transmission compensates for a lack of torque, the transmission tends to change down without much acceleration given, using the paddle shift makes the acceleration a lot smoother.

The engine and transmission with suspension etc is common to all variants; it is only the interior refinements that differ from model to model.

Handling and drive is good.

The only real issues I have is the amount of plastic on the interior that marks easily, possibly more associated with the lower spec model??

The other issue is with the warning alarms; at times you can have up to 3 bells and alarms going off at the same time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2011

2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 2.4 petrol

Summary:

One super car I can recommend wholeheartedly

Faults:

No defects whatsoever.

General Comments:

For a four-cylinder, the car is remarkably refined and gutsy.

Fuel economy is good as long as you drive defensively (I get as low as 8.3 L/ 100km in daily driving), but tends to go fuzzy at highway speeds (full of people through the mountains with luggage and A/C on can see things like 10.5 to 12.5 L/ 100km).

The car looks stunning, much more expensive than it is. It has a lot of presence.

The ride is surprisingly smooth on good roads, and still good on bumpy ones, but you notice the car's short wheelbase and small overall dimensions then. It does get a slight Wild West Bronco thing going, but only when compared to normal cars. For an SUV, it's really composed.

The interior looks as good as the exterior. Fit and finish sometimes seem a bit borderline, but for the money, who cares.

All the electronic gimmicks are very cool and spoil you rotten. I just love how it finds wiper speed, switches on the lights, or locks and unlocks, all automatically, cleverly, and without glitches.

It's also one Japanese small SUV I as a guy find cool, and like being seen with. It sure has macho-appeal enough, even though women seem to fall for it on the spot, too. Good job, designers...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2008

5th Feb 2010, 06:15

I got a base model LS 2.4L in 2007. It is a beautiful car compared with the CRV and RAV4. And it has CVT as standard on the base model. The ride is so smooth that even the driver cannot tell gear change. It also has good mileage. I had 8.5L on highway with air on and 5 passengers under 4WD auto mode. It is so roomy inside of the car. Compared with CRV, it is higher, longer and wider.

Just not really comfortable with one thing, which is the car has too many plastic decoration, which made it a little bit noisy when driving. But it might be the style of 4WD.

26th Jul 2010, 19:13

I've got a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS, and it has no problem whatsoever.

Regarding the too much plastic comment; well I also have a Honda CRV EXL-NAV, and that also has much plastic as well. I found the Outlander superior in power as well as traction and fuel economy. I drive the Outlander 450 miles every 3 weeks, and it gets about 28 mpg with air and at 75mph. I only get 25-27mpg from the CRV, and the acceleration is much less than the Outlander.

I drove both in a foot of snow, and the Outlander is much superior, especially having a much better power distribution. Engine noise is about the same, but the Outlander has much better power and is more fuel efficient.

Also the Outlander I have, has the NAV and comes with bluetooth, while the CRV with the Nav (2008 CRV model) does not come with bluetooth. I believed the newer version now has it.

Folding the 2nd row seats on the Outlander is also much better than the CRV. You just need to unlatch a lever, and do not need to tie in a strap, unlike in the CRV.

The only thing where I think the CRV has an advantage over the Outlander, is it has a timing chain, which does not virtually require replacement, whereas in the Outlander, it needs to be replaced at 105000 miles.

I like the Outlander for its reliability, efficiency and power, as well as being the best selling CUV in Japan.

In reply to 26th Jul 2010, 19:13

28th Oct 2015, 19:54

2.4 Outlander has a timing chain, and the 6 cylinder 3.0 litre has a cambelt.