2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

The 2016 Outlander gets revised exterior styling that includes standard alloy wheels, new front and rear fascias, LED running lights and taillights, and exclusive standard LED headlights for the GT. There's also a revised navigation interface and more user-friendly folding process for the second-row seat. Finally, a new midgrade SEL trim level debuts.

Are you shopping for affordable crossovers and not finding what you're looking for? The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander may not be a household name, but it does give you a lot of unexpected features for the money, and there's even an optional V6 engine for extra power. Let's take a look at everything it has to offer.

We've got to give Mitsubishi an "A" for effort. Many manufacturers rest on their laurels for a while following the introduction of a redesigned model, but the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander receives significant changes after just two years on the market. This year's Outlander has a fresh look that's highlighted by an adventurous new grille, while additional standard features have proliferated throughout the lineup. But are these updates enough to elevate the Outlander from also-ran to contender?

The 2016 Outlander struggled to earn a "C" rating in our comprehensive evaluation.

Alas, the 2016 Outlander could only manage an Edmunds "C" rating, just like last year and the year before. Our extensive testing of two 2016 models (a four-cylinder SEL and a V6-powered GT) revealed that the changes are mostly just skin deep. Mitsubishi mentions numerous platform enhancements to improve ride and handling qualities, but both test vehicles failed to show meaningful progress, whether at our test track or on our real-world driving loop. Overall, the Outlander's styling is definitely something different this year, but this crossover is otherwise generally the same.

There are still some positive points, such as a lengthy warranty, a standard (albeit cramped) third-row seat and respectable feature content. Still, there are a number of rival crossovers we'd recommend first, including the sporty and fuel-efficient 2016 Mazda CX-5, the enduringly well-rounded Honda CR-V and the spunky 2016 Subaru Forester, which comes standard with all-wheel drive but gets the same combined fuel economy as the front-wheel-drive Outlander. If you must have a third-row seat in this price range, the 2016 Nissan Rogue could be worth a look, though the 2016 Kia Sorento would be a superior choice to both, albeit at a higher price. Overall, we appreciate Mitsubishi's extra efforts, but the 2016 Outlander still has a ways to go in order to challenge the best.

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered with two available engines. The ES, SE and SEL get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque that is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). ES models are front-wheel-drive only, while the SE and SEL can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. In Edmunds performance testing, an all-wheel-drive SEL accelerated to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, a slower time than many rivals.

Go with the GT and you'll get a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 224 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. A conventional six-speed automatic (with shift paddles) and all-wheel drive are standard. In Edmunds performance testing, an Outlander GT went from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, which is average for a crossover of this type with an upgraded engine.

EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2016 Outlander are average for this class, starting at 27 mpg combined (25 city/31 highway) with the four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive and dropping to 26 mpg combined (24/29) with all-wheel drive. The V6-powered GT returns 23 mpg combined (20/27).

With the four-cylinder engine, towing capacity is limited to 1,500 pounds, but the V6-powered GT can handle a more useful 3,500 pounds.

Standard safety features on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, hill-start assist, a driver knee airbag, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags for the first and second rows.

Optional electronic safety features include lane-departure warning and a forward collision mitigation system. The latter can sense an impending frontal collision, alert the driver and, if the driver fails to react, apply the brakes to reduce the severity of an impact.

During Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive 2016 Outlander SEL came to a stop in 121 feet, a respectable result. A 2016 Outlander GT also stopped in 121 feet.

In government crash testing, the Outlander with all-wheel drive earned a top five-star rating for overall crash protection, with four stars for total frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. Front-drive Outlanders have the same front and side ratings, but one less star for overall protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave all Outlanders the best possible rating of "Good" in the small-overlap frontal offset, moderate-overlap frontal offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Its seat/head restraint design was rated "Good" for whiplash protection in rear impacts. It's also worth noting that with optional equipment, the Outlander earned an "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention.

Acceleration with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder won't stir your soul. If you're driving in town, you'll likely find its performance adequate, but there's not much power left at highway speeds for passing or merging. Moreover, the four-cylinder's mandatory CVT keeps the engine groaning at high rpm during acceleration, which can be grating for driver and passengers alike. The V6 certainly sounds better in general, and its conventional six-speed automatic moves progressively through the gears in a familiar fashion. Still, 224 hp isn't a particularly generous helping for a modern V6.

The optional V6 engine is our pick for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Outlander is generally an agreeable vehicle on long trips, with slightly less cabin noise at speed thanks to some additional sound-deadening measures for 2016. Handling around turns is uninspiring but secure, with surprisingly responsive steering for this segment. If off-pavement driving is a priority, the Outlander's all-wheel-drive system offers selectable modes that provide a bit more capability on dirt roads and in deep snow. The system can be used for mild off-roading, but not much more.

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander's interior is quite pleasant in terms of both quality and design. The dashboard has a sleek, subtle look, and it's covered with a refined soft-touch material that's matched by supple trim on the door panels. Infotainment features are class-competitive, highlighted by standard voice controls and a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface that's standard on all but the base ES trim. The optional navigation system comes bundled with a slightly larger screen that gets a revised control layout for 2016, but it's only available as part of a larger options package, hurting the Outlander's value proposition.

The Outlander's kid-friendly third-row seat is an unusual offering in this class.

The front seats don't provide much lateral bolstering, but they're adequately supportive on longer treks. The second-row seats offer fairly generous passenger space and can slide and recline for greater comfort, although the optional sunroof limits headroom for those with longer torsos. While some shoppers may see the third row seat as a plus, it is really only suited for occasional use by small kids. Still, it adds a measure of versatility that most affordable crossovers can't match.

In the hauling department, the Outlander serves up 10.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row of seats (enough for a load of groceries), 34.2 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 63.3 cubic feet with both rows folded down. For 2016, folding the second-row seat has been simplified so that the headrests don't need to be removed, a welcome improvement.