CD Article: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

Slightly wider, taller and longer than the outgoing model, the redesigned 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a new 220-hp V6 which replaces the former 160-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams.  It also features a new third row seat, an ingenious fold-flat tailgate, and a lower cargo floor.  "It's a significant improvement on the model it replaces," says Williams.  Second opinion by Jil McIntosh.  
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[si]

Looks like a decent product - but with no Mitsubishi dealer here, my outlander sightings will remain outlandish.

[PJungnitsch]

They'll be happy to get some product to sell. The Mitsu dealer here has a nice building and lot but seems to be making a living by bringing in used cars.

[jww]

While this vehicle has been greatly anticipated, Mitsubishi continues to struggle. With a disappearing dealership network, they will have problems getting solid market share outside of major suburban areas, imo.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The pricing quoted in the article is far above the pricing on Mitsu Canada's web site. The web site pricing is very good and quite appealing. http://configurator.mitsubishi-motors.ca/ChooseTrim.aspx?UserQuoteID=820295&lng=2

I spent some time with the Outlander at the auto show. Love the exterior design, ESPECIALLY the rear portion. Absolutely hot-hot-hot from the rear to me - it's perky, distinctive, sporty, advanced.

The 3rd row adopts the thin seat/foam concept, which is anticipated to sweep the entire industry over the next few years. Let's hope they're more comfy than the Outlander's example, where you can feel the frame easily thru the seat. Truth be told I think the seat looks funky, especially with those huge headrests, and wanted to like them, so it's unfortunate they're uncomfy. Also, when folded into the floor, there's huge gaps around it. I thought "damn that's bad, you'd need a mat in the back or something" but the article in CD shows that there is no gap, with some carpeting over it. Maybe this was removed from the display units at the show for fear of theft or something?

I found the 2nd row seats comfy, but noticably firmer than most other seats. Up front, the dash and controls and layout look great, feel a little cheaper than the photos would suggest. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination, certainly livable even to me. Far better than a RAV4, but a notch below the CR-V and even the Santa Fe is my impression. Given the price, I'd overlook it and think they did a good job.

Overall a very compelling package. Great pricing if the web site is the real deal, super exterior design, decent drivetrain and handling/ride tradeoff, 3rd row for emergencies or short jaunts, the warranty, etc. I think they'll sell very very well.

The Lancer was locked tight, but it too looks to be a very competitive all-round vehicle. Pricing on it is more in-line with competitors, so it'll likely have a tougher time breaking through, but at least it's now a solid entry.

[carcrazy]

The price for the LS 4WD includes the optional Convenience and Sun&Sound packages.
The Outlander's target should be the buyers that are looking for sporty look and caracter in their compact SUV. This is where the Outlander distinguishes itself from the competition.
I spent quite a bit of time looking at and "feeling" the Outlander's interior, and I have to say that, while I agree that there are few fit and finish issues, the significant price difference comapred to the competition would certainly make me leave with them.
I love the upper textured dashboard, and I wish the lower part would have slightly better plastic.
Like both reviewers noted, and this is my opinion too,  the power train is well balanced and IMO is the best combination in its class.
I think once more people will become aware of its existence, the Outlander will sell very well because, indeed, it offers the best value for the money in this class.

[Loudpedal]

Wow, that is very attractive pricing.  Now, the number of typos spotted on their website is another issue...

[Bullet Blue]

Neat looking vehicle. I'm rooting for this one to do well. If Mistu makes competitive interesting products like these for its entire lineup, perhaps they may become a player in the market.

[carcrazy]

As I'm in the market for a compact SUV, I did a price comparison between Outlander, Santa Fe, RAV4 and CRV mid trims, well equiped. For estethic reasons, I want fog lights and for utility reasons I want roof rack on each vehicle.
The total price includes A/C tax ($100), Freight/PDI and taxes (Ontario 14%). MSRP includes all options.

                                                                                    MSRP     Total

CRV EX (Fog $591.63, Roof $378.50)                                   $33,570   $40,100
RAV4 Sport V6 (no options)                                               $33,590   $39,991
Santa Fe 3.3GL AWD (no options)                                       $30,095   $36,184
Outlander LS 4WD (Conv $1250, Fog $457, Bluetooth $365)    $29,070    $34,787

The feature set is slightly different on each vehicle, but I picked the lowest trim that covers the basic features I want in my vehicle.

[CarShopper]

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[carcrazy]

I'm also in the market for a new car and I also have the list as yours. While the price is very interesting for Outlander, Misubishi only offer 0% interest for 2006 models. Outlander 2007 models have 5.8% interest rate which brings the final price far higher than Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 GL AWD. However, comparing to Toyota and Honda offers, it's still a good package.

The interest rate changes every few months. I know it's high now, but it's a brand new model and Mitsubishi is trying to capitalize on that. If you could wait for few more months I think things will change for good. If you could buy cash, the lower price on Mitsubishi helps. Plus you could negociate a substantial discount from MSRP since the difference between the invoice price and MSRP on base LS 4WD is $2000.

[carcrazy]

The current interest rate for Santa Fe is 3.9%, therefore 1.9% lower than Outlander's. Depending on how much you need to borrow and for how long, you may still come on top with Mitsubish provided that Outlander' purchase price is $1,397 lower than Santa Fe's price.

[initial_D]

Outlander has 0% finance rate, and not sure what the lease rate is. Can't beat 0%. 

[carcrazy]

Outlander has 0% finance rate, and not sure what the lease rate is. Can't beat 0%. 

0% financing DOES NOT apply to 2007 Outlander.

[initial_D]

Thanks. But Mitsu should put 0% on the 07 model as well.  Heck, should put 0% on the EVO for 72 84 96 108 months, now we are talking. 

[outlander]

 

Look like Mitsu has got some things right. I'm concerned that the larger profile, and increased muslce might make this new model less appealing to buyers like me - the urban sort that make jaunts to the country for skiing/hiking etc - and need something truly compact. The Rav4 has grown, as has the CRV and the Suzuki. Soon the only option left will be the compact Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tuscon, or my personal fave, the Forester.

[Rolling]

Mitsubishi is on the right track with this new Outlander. I agree that there's a lot of improvements.....but come on, can you really call those cardboard things "rear seats"?? Yeah they’re probably as uncomfortable as they look. How well will a vehicle sell, if you know as the “owner” that the poor soul who gets into those seats will be on the hardest most uncomfortable seats in the whole car?  As for being “kids” seats I wouldn’t want to put my little ones in seats that couldn’t provide any protection from a rear impact.

Mitsubishi tried to make too many “neat things” for this vehicle, and seems to fall short on the ones that count and matter like…fit and finish, proper execution of popular features, and quality control in manufacturing. In 2004 I looked at the Endeavor, and it had no third row seats, and poor quality control in manufacturing (chrome bumper trim flaking off). In 2006 the Endeavor model still has no third row seats, and……?!?

I like Mitsubishi; they have some of the best inventions out there; like the counter rotating balancing shafts used by many car manufactures today. The new outlander needs some more evolution in the rear section to enlarge in enough to put half decent seats in the third row. If I were to compare the Santa Fe with the New Outlander; I would give the Santa Fe the edge in execution, and fit and finish.

 

[JVan]

Mitsubishi is on the right track with this new Outlander. I agree that there's a lot of improvements.....but come on, can you really call those cardboard things "rear seats"?? Yeah they’re probably as uncomfortable as they look. How well will a vehicle sell, if you know as the “owner” that the poor soul who gets into those seats will be on the hardest most uncomfortable seats in the whole car?  As for being “kids” seats I wouldn’t want to put my little ones in seats that couldn’t provide any protection from a rear impact.

Mitsubishi tried to make too many “neat things” for this vehicle, and seems to fall short on the ones that count and matter like…fit and finish, proper execution of popular features, and quality control in manufacturing. In 2004 I looked at the Endeavor, and it had no third row seats, and poor quality control in manufacturing (chrome bumper trim flaking off). In 2006 the Endeavor model still has no third row seats, and……?!?

I like Mitsubishi; they have some of the best inventions out there; like the counter rotating balancing shafts used by many car manufactures today. The new outlander needs some more evolution in the rear section to enlarge in enough to put half decent seats in the third row. If I were to compare the Santa Fe with the New Outlander; I would give the Santa Fe the edge in execution, and fit and finish.

How much bigger do you think it should be? It is supposed to be a compact SUV, I don't think it should have 3 rows of seating at all, but I guess its needed today because soccer moms don't want to drive uncool minivans but still want room to squeeze lots of kids in.  How do you know that 3rd row is unsafer than others out there, it has yet to be tested.

[carcrazy]

I wouldn't even consider the 3rd row seat in a vehicle this size. This includes RAV4, Santa Fe and many others. There is not a real substitute for a minivan when it comes to 7 seats.
Luckily the 3rd row bench folds flat under the cargo floor like it does not exist. The bad part is that it takes up the under floor cargo storage.

[jww]

I wouldn't even consider the 3rd row seat in a vehicle this size. This includes RAV4, Santa Fe and many others. There is not a real substitute for a minivan when it comes to 7 seats.
Luckily the 3rd row bench folds flat under the cargo floor like it does not exist. The bad part is that it takes up the under floor cargo storage.

This entire 3rd row seat is nothing more than marketing fluff imo. If you want a vehicle to haul more than 4 people on an on-going basis to anywhere distant, get a mini-van. OK - so they aren't that 'stylin', big deal. I'd rather be in the 3rd row of a Sienna, Odyessy or Caravan than the 3rd row of an SUV any day.