Monthly Archives January 2013

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“Drive… he said”Recently toured the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport compact crossover utility vehicle. As the sky darkened and we momentarily stopped in traffic, we tilted our heads back to look skyward. Dozens of amber-colored LEDs trace the length of the 4 × 3 foot fixed tinted glass roof. Privacy needs are handled by the electric retractable awning. Such a treat is yours for a “simple” $ 2000 (sip).

Sharing the architecture with Jeep’s Compass crossover-ute, much of the Outlander Sport’s raison d’être is a list of options not available on the Jeep Compass Latitude 4 × 4. Of course, $ 30,000 gets you a load Outlander Sport 4WD SE model with this panoramic roof, and a fancy-pants HDD navigation system with reversing camera. Only there is no option of leather upholstery.

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Power comes from a relatively “low flow”Four-cylinder, 2.0-liter, dual-camshaft gasoline engine with dual variable valve timing. The output of 148 horsepower is down 10 horsepower from the factory related Jeep. The CV transmission tends to jam. In other words, the 3,300-pound Outlander Sport AWD is barely a hare. Call it 10 seconds and more to hit 60 miles per hour. The combined 23 miles per gallon fuel economy isn’t a legend either.

TO ford snow-covered pavement on occasion, Mitsubishi pilfered from the Evo’s full control parts bin. Power can be allocated on demand from the front wheels to the rear, via a hydraulic center differential. An e-diff distributes the torque per axle, from side to side. In “locked” AWD mode, the F / R distribution approaches 60%. Press the Outlander Sport harder on the freeway exit loops and you are sure to have a sure footing. Stability control is more intrusive in AWD Auto mode. Before you ask, there is no low-end crawling gear here.

“sport”In the Outlander Sport begins with a wheelbase of 106 ″. The 225/55 Toyo A24 tires look impressive on 18 inch wheels. The four-wheel disc brake array is a firmer pedal than the “air in the brake lines” feel of the compass. Simulated aluminum paddle shifters are where they should be: attached to the column rather than turning with the steering wheel. Mitsubishi has chosen a satisfactory level of damping against brutal road irregularities without causing excessive rebound pitch. In a fast turn, the Outlander Sport is less athletic, with more than its fair share of lean. The electric-assisted steering, icy in its haste, confronts the squalls of understeer.

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The exterior lines of the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are mainly Lancer. This includes the trademark “Wedgy nose” and the fuselage close to “Coke bottle”. Our arms noticed that the tailgate requires about the least effort in this segment. I would like it to be the same for the “rod” cover.

Outlander Sport riders are treated with a gauge cluster that is pleasing to the eyes. The seats have useful hip cushions. Filed under “boring” is a multi-function display that neurotically resets the average fuel economy every time the Outlander is seated for 4 hours. The driver and front passenger heating toggle buttons inside each front bucket are hidden by the thighs which press against the side supports. A sliding center armrest nominally compensates for a tilt steering wheel that doesn’t telescope. Is a lower level of plastic and attention to detail annoying? Close that roof awning and squint.

For the retro touch, there’s a 6.5-inch multimedia headunit / touchscreen navigation display that emphasizes a late 1990s-style retractable faceplate for inserting CDs or DVDs. Its menus take “full systems control” to a new level. Increasing the “Punch” effect of the 710-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo by any factor greater than “2” is as effective as “boxing“ears. The Bluetooth hands-free system will not automatically load phone book entries. Well done to the software that read our almost antique I-pod Nano 2, an increasingly rare feat.

While they might not want to make it a habit, a real adult can use the middle second row position. It’s a “can’t do”In the Latitude compass. Less utilitarian is the muddy 10 ″ subwoofer that bites off 2 cubic feet of the hatch’s cargo capacity. Folding down the split rear seatback extends appetite to just 49 cubic feet. It is 20 cubic feet from the abundance offered by the Honda CR-V.

One of the areas of concern was the fit level of our Outlander Sport SE AWD tester. The orthodontic gap between the left front fender and the hood equates to a “dentition” due to the relocation of production to the former Diamondstar plant in Normal, Illinois.

Did we miss the 2013 Mistubishi Outlander Sport real bright planetarium display yet? Ask us next Halloween.