In our GT S-AWC model, a button between the front seats allows the driver to choose between AWC Eco, Normal, Snow and Lock as displayed in a small screen in the instrument cluster. While driving, it’s difficult to tell any difference between AWC Eco and Normal driving modes, but the former is designed to run in front-wheel drive until some wheel slippage is sensed and then send some power to the rear wheels; while Normal mode spends more time in all-wheel drive. The Snow setting is designed to improve stability on snow-covered roads while Lock splits front-to-rear torque evenly to get out of snow banks or difficult conditions. S-AWC also includes an active front differential to distribute torque side to side and AYC brake control to improve traction and help stability when cornering and making sudden lane changes. A combination of ABS brake control and the active front differential helps steer the Outlander through a turn with more stability. All of this is basically invisible to the driver in everyday driving but it’s a good thing to have when the weather turns nasty. The Outlander even includes a graphic display in the instrument panel that shows the real-time power distribution between the axles.
    2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC Navi. Click image to enlarge |
The 2014 Outlander GT S-AWC also includes three new safety features that aren’t available in lesser models: Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). At speeds at or above 65 km/h, LDW uses a camera on the windshield to determine which lane you’re in, and issues an audible and visual warning if the Outlander begins to stray over the line. This works well but I found it annoying at times because it activates before you’ve crossed the line. It can be turned off via a button on the dash.
FCM uses radar sensors to judge the approaching speed to other vehicles in your lane and issues an audible and visible warning if a collision is imminent. If a collision is imminent, the Outlander will automatically brake; at speeds below 30 km/h, the Outlander can stop in time, but at speeds above 30 km/h, it can only help reduce the severity of the impact. The driver can activate two FCM settings: Near or Far modes. There’s really no need for FCM if drivers are looking where they are going, but it could be useful if a driver momentarily took their eyes off the road to tune the radio or adjust the heater at the same time a car stopped in its path. One caveat: FCM won’t sense pedestrians, cyclists or animals.
ACC uses the same radar sensors as FCM to maintain a safe following distance to the car ahead by slowing down and speeding up as appropriate. The driver can set three distance ranges: 2.3 seconds, 1.8 seconds, and 1.4 seconds.
I found the new Outlander to be a wonderful highway cruiser. New sound insulation, a more aerodynamic body, new engine mounts, and an improved body structure result in less mechanical and road noise in the cabin. The quiet V6 revs along at just 2,000 rpm at 100 km/h in sixth gear. As well, its fully independent suspension offers a compliant ride over bumpy roads and the steering is accurate without requiring much effort. I especially liked the Outlander’s tight 10.6 m (34.8 ft.) turning circle. Eighteen-inch tires and wheels are standard: my vehicle was equipped with Toyo A24 225/55R18-inch all-season tires on alloy wheels.
    2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC Navi. Click image to enlarge |
Perhaps the most important changes to the 2014 Outlander are in the passenger cabin: a redesigned instrument panel, upgraded interior materials, more interior features, and more advanced safety features top the list. The new interior design makes use of soft-touch plastics, turned steel-like trim on the doors and dash, piano-black dash trim, and subtle chrome borders. As well, though it’s not immediately obvious, there have been some significant improvements in ergonomics: the steering wheel now tilts and telescopes, the transmission shift lever has been moved further back in the centre console where it’s easier to reach, the centre stack is closer to the driver, and the touchscreen is larger. New dual-zone automatic climate control now includes a small display screen for fan speed, ventilation and temperature readings, while a new set of buttons controls fan speed and temperature. Personally, I prefer the old round dials to the buttons, though.
As before, the large metal paddle shifters behind the steering wheel don’t move with the steering wheel. Fortunately, you don’t have to use them very often. Interestingly, there isn’t an option of shifting manually with the shift lever.
