2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

The base ES comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding second-row seat that slides and reclines, a 50/50-split third-row seat, a rearview camera, voice controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, a CD player and a USB port.

Stepping up to the SE gets you foglights, body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless ignition and entry, an electronic parking brake, heated front seats, and an upgraded audio system with a 7-inch display, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

The SEL adds roof rails, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, gloss-black interior trim, leather upholstery and a power driver seat. The SEL also has some optional equipment that you can't get on lower trim levels. The Premium package adds a sunroof, a power liftgate, power folding mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system. The SEL Touring package includes the Premium package contents plus LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated steering wheel, lane departure warning, and a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

The GT comes standard with all of the above options except the advanced safety technologies (adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning), all of which are included in the optional GT Touring package. Exclusive standard features on the GT include chrome exterior beltline accents and steering-wheel shift paddles.

Stand-alone options for all trims include remote engine start, a tow hitch and a rear-seat entertainment system. All trims except the ES are eligible for LED foglights and front and rear parking sensors.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered with one of two available engines. The ES, SE and SEL get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque) that is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All three trim levels are available with 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.

A 3.0-liter V6 is standard on the all-wheel-drive GT. It produces 224 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a conventional six-speed automatic (with shift paddles) and all-wheel drive. 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 Outlander weren't available at publishing time, but last year's four-cylinder, front-drive Outlander posted 27 mpg combined (25 city/31 highway), dropping to 26 mpg combined (24 city/29 highway) with all-wheel drive. The V6-powered GT received an EPA estimate of 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway). Mileage estimates for the Outlander are acceptable but a little below average for the class.

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 when properly equipped.