2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Outlander is Mitsubishi's smallest SUV. This compact wagon is based on Mitsubishi's Lancer car platform and offers front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Outlander is available in LS, SE, and Limited trim. All Outlanders seat five and share a 160-hp 4-cyl engine. Their AWD lacks low-range gearing. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard for the LS model. Optional for LS and standard on the others is a 4-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front side airbags are standard. All models come with air conditioning, CD audio, power windows/locks/mirrors, and 60/40 split folding rear seat. SE includes heated seats and a premium audio system with in-dash CD/MP3 changer. Limited adds leather upholstery, heated mirrors, climate control, and sunroof.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, and Mercury Mariner. Our Recommended picks are Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester.

Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Rav4 are new or significantly redesigned.

News

There's a lot riding on the redesigned 2007 Outlander. It must be a hit for Mitsubishi to begin recovering from its prolonged U.S.-market sales slump. At a glance, the new Outlander looks competitive (and remarkably like Toyota's latest RAV4). Built on the new C-platform developed with Chrysler Group, it features a larger package with available three-row seating and a standard 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 instead of a 4-cyl engine. A 6-speed automatic is the only transmission, but front-drive and all-wheel-drive choices continue. Optional features new to Mitsubishi include steering-wheel paddles for manual shifting, keyless entry/starting, wireless cell-phone connection, and a navigation system. The '07 Outlander arrives this fall. Prices will be announced shortly before sales begin. Keep checking back with us for further details.

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Acceleration

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
4	3	4.5

Acceptable for around-town driving with automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but 4-cyl lacks muscle for no-sweat merging or passing and struggles up long grades. Heavier AWDs are slower still. No opportunity yet to test with manual transmission, but automatic is smooth, responsive.

Fuel Economy

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.9

In a city/highway mix of driving and with automatic transmission, test 2WD Outlander averaged 22.5 mpg, AWD version 22.3. Mitsubishi recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.7

Not quite carlike, but Outlander rivals Subaru Forester for the most stable, comfortable ride in this class.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.7

Corners with modest body lean, no tippy feel, but elevated ride height contributes to unwanted lateral rocking in quick direction changes. Steering accurate, but slightly numb and overassisted. AWD enhances overall grip and control, even on dry surfaces. Stopping power adequate, brake modulation good.

Quietness

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Engine raucous at full throttle. Wind rush noticed but not objectionable at highway speeds. Tire noise modest except on coarse pavement, though road rumble nearly always audible from cargo area, a typical wagon/SUV trait.

Controls

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Simple layout with easy-reach controls, but stereo switches should be larger. Hooded gauges easy to read, even in sunlight. Overall solidity doesn't impress, but interior materials are appropriate for the price.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.8

Comfortable seats with good side bolstering. Tall drivers might want more rearward travel. Easy entry/exit. Good all-around visibility.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.6

Generous head room, but leg and foot space sufficient only if front seats are no more than halfway back. Firm, tall split bench seat has reclining backrests.

Cargo Room

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
8	8	7.3

Enough space behind rear seat for a half-dozen or so grocery bags. Volume slightly below class average with seatbacks folded--and they don't lie flat. Low liftover, but liftgate opening narrows at bottom. Available cargo cover stows neatly under floor. Lots of interior storage.

Value within Class

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
3	4	6.3

Though pleasantly carlike in many respects, Outlander isn't a class standout, let down mainly by a coarse, relatively weak engine. Also, Mitsubishi doesn't match most other import brands for workmanship and resale values. But that usually means deeper discounts, so Outlander is worth considering if you're on a tight budget.

Total Score

2WD LS, auto.	AWD LS, auto.	Class Average
50	50	52.5

Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		29
Average Score		52
High Score		62

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/30/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD LS 4-door wagon, manual	$18,499	$17,440	$595

2WD LS 4-door wagon, automatic	$20,099	$18,947	$595

AWD LS 4-door wagon, manual	$20,449	$19,277	$595

AWD LS 4-door wagon, automatic	$21,499	$20,267	$595

2WD SE 4-door wagon, automatic	$21,999	$20,739	$595

AWD SE 4-door wagon, automatic	$23,399	$22,059	$595

2WD Limited 4-door wagon, automatic	$24,549	$23,143	$595

AWD Limited 4-door wagon, automatic	$25,949	$24,462	$595

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

LS manual

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seat w/height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, analog clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

225/60R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

LS automatic adds to LS manual:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, remote keyless entry, cargo cover, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

SE adds to LS automatic:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 player.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

215/55R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Limited adds to SE:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated power mirrors, power sunroof.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Accessory Pkg.
SE, Limited	$310	$270
Cargo tray, mud guards, bumper step pad, wheel locks.

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Outlander 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	103.3

Overall Length, in.	179.0

Overall Width, in.	68.9

Overall Height, in.	66.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3461

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	60.3

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.7

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	38.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /143

Horsepower @ rpm.	160 @ 5750

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	162 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	21/27

4-speed automatic	21/26

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Mitsubishi Outlander 4-door wagon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	7/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Photos

Also in the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Review:

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Outlander Road Test

Mitsubishi Outlander Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Outlander Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Outlander Photos

Mitsubishi Outlander Full Review

All Mitsubishi Outlanders

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