Mitsubishi Outlander 2022 review

This is the fourth-generation Outlander and for the launch of a brand spankingly new version of the popular SUV Mitsubishi handed us the keys to live with it for a week. This means we could do a real-world test to find out what’s to love or what could be better. Let’s start with the good points.

This new-generation SUV looks solid, chunky (in a good way) and the styling is refreshingly modern. (Image: Dean McCartney)

We loved the look of the new Outlander. The exterior of the previous generation looked a bit unfinished with its pointy face and was becoming outdated, but this new-generation SUV looks solid, chunky (in a good way) and the styling is refreshingly modern.

We also love the Outlander’s value-for-money. The entry-grade ES starts at a list price of $34,490 and the range tops out with the Exceed Tourer at $49,990. The pick of the range is the LS which is $37,990 in front-wheel drive guise and comes with a lot of equipment at a good price.

We loved the Outlander’s safety tech as well. This is a family car and all grades from the LS upwards come with rear cross-traffic alert with reverse AEB, plus front and rear parking sensors.

Arriving in 2022 will be the plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander. We loved this variant in the previous generation, and I’d bet almost everything on loving the new one, too.

We already mentioned the Outlander’s great value-for-money being something we loved and gave you the price range from how much it costs to get into the entry model and to what the top-grade costs, but let’s look at the full price list. 

Remember also that dealers often do a drive-away price. 

The Aspire costs $41,490 ($2500 more for AWD). (Image: Dean McCartney)

The entry grade Outlander is the ES and it lists (RRP) for $34,490 and that has five seats and it’s front-wheel drive. If you want the ES five-seater with all-wheel drive its $2500 more. And, if you want seven seats and just front-wheel drive then it’s $35,490.

The grades above the ES are seven seaters only. There’s the LS which is $37,990 (again, $2500 more if you want AWD), then the Aspire for $41,490 ($2500 more for AWD)  and then at the top is the Exceed for $47,990 and the Exceed Tourer for $49,990 – both are all-wheel drive only.

The load capacity for the Outlander ranges from 660kg to 720kg, while braked towing capacity of the Outlander is 1600kg. A genuine Mitsubishi tow bar kit costs $1292. 

The Outlander’s ground clearance is 205mm for the ES and LS, while the Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer is 210mm. As for a lift kit, well, Mitsubishi doesn’t have one for the Outlander but there are plenty of aftermarket outlets who’d do it for you.

As mentioned earlier in this review, the Outlander’s interior lacks the refinement and creativity in design of its rivals from Hyundai and Kia. That said, as our images show, the interior is business-like and functional. 

Leather upholstery is standard on the Exceed and Exceed Tourer.

The interior is business-like and functional (Image: Dean McCartney)

Standard features on the entry-grade ES include a 9.0-inch media display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav (GPS navigation system), dual-zone front row climate control (even better than just an air-conditioner), front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a reverse camera, electric parking brake, push-button start, cup holders in all rows, a trip computer, lane assist and LED headlights and running lights.

Next is the LS and here’s when things get really good. The LS adds privacy glass, automatic headlights with auto high beam, leather steering wheel, a proximity key (a smart key for keyless entry with automatic door lock), silver roof rails, a wireless phone charger and rain-sensing wipers/

The Aspire adds 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, microsuede/synthetic leather seat trim, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree monitor, power driver seat, power tailgate and a head-up display.

The Exceed adds leather seats, three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, power driver and passenger front seats, pull up sunshades for the back windows and a Bose sound system.

The Aspire variant adds heated front seats. (Image: Dean McCartney)

The Exceed Tourer is the big kahuna of the range but all it offers over the others is a two-tone exterior body colour, two-tone leather interior and massaging front seats.

The ES and LS come with with a full-sized spare tyre, while the higher grades come with a space saver spare.

There's not much missing here in terms of standard features apart from a rear seat entertainment system, heated steering wheel or park assist (auto parking).

If you are wondering if the Outlander has a diff lock the answer is no - more serious off-road vehicles such as the Pajero are fitted with a differential lock.

Awnings are part of Mitsubishi's genuine parts catalogue for the Outlander but there are outlets which will fit one to any SUV.

There is currently no sport edition of the Outlander.

There's cup holders in all rows. (Image: Dean McCartney)

All grades of the Outlander come with Apple CarPlay (compatible with the iPhone) and Android Auto.

The Outlander is 4710mm long, 1862mm wide and 1740-1745mm tall depending on which wheels you have and if you have roof rails. 

The Outlander is a large mid-size SUV and this translates to decent interior dimensions.

The gross vehicle weight ranges from 2245kg-2355kg.

The Outlander is 4710mm long, 1862mm wide and 1740-1745mm tall. (Image: Dean McCartney)

When it comes to issues and faults with the Outlander have a look at our problems page. And if your Outlander experiences any defects, transmission issues or suspension, engine or any automatic transmission problems be sure to let us know.

If you’re the owner of an older Outlander tell us if you’ve had any rust issues, diesel problems or turbo worries, too.

This new-generation Outlander does not come in diesel, nor does it run on LPG. It's petrol only. The previous generation was available with a turbodiesel engine. 

While a pure EV version doesn’t exist a plug-in hybrid variant will arrive in Australia in 2022.

There are five models or variants in the Outlander range and the best version is the top-of-the-range Exceed Tourer. That said, the best value-for-money is the LS. A model comparison with rivals sees the Outlander being a little below par in areas such as driving comfort. 

There is no launch edition for the 2022 model year.

In terms of seating, the Outlander comes with a choice of five or seven seats (two seats in the third row) in the entry-grade ES or exclusively with seven seats in the grades above.

All grades come with sport seats up front. (Image: Dean McCartney)

The Exceed and Exceed Tourer grades come with leather upholstery.

All grades come with sport seats up front.

The Outlander comes with a choice of five or seven seats. (Image: Dean McCartney)

Mitsubishi is renowned for building SUVs with a great reliability rating. Be sure to visit our Outlander problems page.

The Outlander does not come standard with a dual battery system, but these can be fitted by after market companies for off-road touring. This is not to be confused with the battery system in the plug-in hybrid variant of the Outlander.

The Outlander can be uncomfortable to drive on roads that are very smooth, this may be in part due to its large diameter wheels and low-profile tyres not being an ideal match for the suspension system. Front and rear suspension is coil springs and dampers, not air suspension.

On the plus side there is minimal road noise, and the turning radius is 5.3m, an impressive turning circle performance for the class

The 2022 Outlander has yet to be given an ANCAP safety rating, but it does come with a raft of safety features such as forward AEB, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot warning on all grades. The LS grade and above gains reverse AEB and rear cross-traffic alert, too.

Please note that airbags do not extend to cover passengers in the third row.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a timing chain.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a brave, bold front design but that’d not particularly unique in the class of SUVs. 

The exterior of the Outlander is more impressive than it’s interior which feel less refined that some of its rivals.

The Outlander’s alloy wheels are 18-inch in size for the entry-grade ES and step up to 20-inches for the Aspire and above.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a brave, bold front design. (Image: Dean McCartney)

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation makes the Outlander.

The Outlander’s popularity ensures that well looked after examples hold their value well.