MITSUBISHI’S latest SUV is an Outlander by name only. It shares absolutely nothing except its title with the previous, gape-mouthed 2.4-litre soft-roader that made only a small dent on a market segment dominated by Toyota, Nissan and Honda. The new Outlander aims to zero in on the rest with a more typically-SUV look, the availability of a 3.0-litre V6 and a host of options that almost elevate it beyond its perceived competitors. It’s a matter of deciding whether you’re happy to sacrifice the excellent dirt-road behaviour of the previous full-time AWD vehicle for something a little more compromised. The justification comes in a bigger interior offering the option of a tiny third-row seat, the choice of four or six-cylinder power and the availability of state-of-the-art electronic systems including stability control.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Released: Feb 2003
Ended: Nov 2006
Family Tree: OutlanderMitsubishi's first-generation ZE Outlander arrived here in February 2003, packing a 100kW/205Nm 2.4-litre four, mated exclusively to a four-speed semi-auto, polarising styling and less than inspiring dynamics. Available in base LS and more luxurious XLS variants, it was replaced by the facelifted ZF version in August 2004, when it brang more performance (120kW/220Nm) from a a new 2.4-litre four, more safety and more equipment.
Road Test
Facebook Twitter Instagram