2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Undergoes Complete Transformation
Mitsubishi has often been criticized for being too conservative, with products that don’t seem to evolve that much over the years. Despite some cosmetic changes, the platform and engines are the same.
With the completely redesigned 2022 Outlander, however, the Japanese manufacturer is making a huge leap forward. New chassis, new engine, new transmission, new design inside and out—this is not a simple update, folks.
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The most obvious evolution can be seen in the exterior design, which goes in the same direction as the recently tweaked 2022 Eclipse Cross.
The new Outlander looks bolder and boxier, with thinner headlights and taillights, a tall beltline and a narrow greenhouse. This is just from the pictures, mind you. We can’t wait to see what it’s like in real life.
Inner Beauty Matters
Inside, the dashboard is cleaner and much more modern. There are similarities between the 2022 Outlander and the latest Nissan Rogue, especially the centre display and console. It looks like the Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance is starting to pay off.
Fit and finish seems to be improved significantly, addressing one of the biggest complaints about the current Outlander.
The third-row option is back, which is great news for families that need more seats but don’t necessarily want a mid-to-large SUV. According to Mitsubishi, there’s more room for rear passengers now thanks to the increased exterior dimensions, particularly the longer wheelbase.
Furthermore, drivers will enjoy extra peace of mind on the road with a host of active and passive safety features. The Outlander finally gets on the same page as most competitors, which is definitely something we wished for.
V6 is Gone
Built on a brand new platform, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is both stronger and lighter for improved handling. Engineers have also sharpened the steering and revised the all-wheel drive system including the torque-vectoring feature. It’s said to be more confident, dynamic and surefooted when weather and road conditions take a turn for the worse.
Under the hood, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 engines have been replaced by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre mill shared with the Rogue. While Mitsubishi didn’t provide performance figures, expect around 180 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque.
The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission that simulates eight forward gears to give the illusion of a conventional autobox.
It’s too bad about the V6, though. In our opinion, it was one of the main reasons for choosing the Outlander over the competition. What about the Outlander PHEV? Details regarding the plug-in hybrid variant will come later, Mitsubishi told us.
Bottom Line
Despite using a single-engine strategy, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander marks a tremendous improvement over its predecessor in terms of technology and content. If the driving experience matches what the competition offers, we’ll be looking at a serious contender—one that’s backed by Mitsubishi’s industry-leading warranty.