I love my Montero, has it been flawless, hell to the no, do I still love it, yes. I would never recommend a Mitsubishi outside of a Montero or Evo to anyone.
I would like to know why would you not recommend the Mitsubishi outlander . it is a model I'm contemplating....
Everyone: what are your thoughts on the Outlander please ?
The Outlander (07+) is also a good vehicle. Reliable (mine is 11 years old so I know a thing or two about it FIRST hand), very versatile when it comes to carrying stuff and with a good 4WD combined with good ground clearance (8.5 inch). Can tow up to 3500 lbs with V6.
I would strongly suggest to go for the V6/6 AT combo not the crappy 2.4L/CVT combination found in some 09+. The I4/CVT combination I would NOT recommend at all, especailly the first iterations.
Now, it will burn more gas than CRV or even V6 RAV4 of the same vintage but it depends on your tolerance and the way you drive. It can be decent if driven lightly - low to mid 8L/100km highway can be achieved consistently depending on the conditions; my personal best was 7.3L/100km with smooth driving on side roads and highway.
I would agree with what was said that any of these would be able to go where you need to go, except when things get muddy or slippery. This is where an Outalnder or Forester will make the difference with their better 4WD. CRV and RAV4 have weak AWD systems in general.
Few additional points:
- Dated: any car of that vintage would be dated, but I would argue that the Outlander is more dated than the rest. Actually I think it's the opposite (take a look at the dash and you'll find elements present in 2018 vehicles - Alfa, Land Rover....). The minimalist dash with HVAC knobs below is a current theme for many highly regarded cars today.
- Interior does feel cheaper compared to CRV (it is) but not much more than RAV4 or Forester (they had rather cheap interiors too). The smooth, hard plastic door panels may be easier to clean if you are into outdoors/trail stuff although they bring a cheap air to the cabin.
- Even with the V6, not as refined as CRV but definitely feels stronger/faster when pushed. A RAV4 V6 would be the best choice from the engine perspective out of all and by far.
- You may also appreciate the the drop-down tailgate on the Outlander. Absolutely great for sitting 2 average adults (holds 200 kg) and loading bulky stuff.
- You may find the interior noisier than other vehicles, but it's all relative to your expectations and tolerance. None of the other options of the same vintage are vault quiet either (Forester, comes to mind as I drove one for a while and I can relate). I would say again, the CRV is the most refined vehicle out of all (RAV, Forester, Rogue, Outlander)
In a nutshell, if you are looking for a reliable,
utilitarian vehicle, suited for unpaved roads, outdoor activities, light towing, the Outlander V6 could definitely be a consideration. You may need to look for a well maintained/preserved unit though. The money you save compared to a CRV/RAV4/Forester you can put towards replacing some wear and tear parts (it depends how old the car is).
