The latest 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander offers refreshed styling, impressive safety credentials and a wide choice of specifications to cater for the burgeoning medium-large SUV market.

With three trim levels, five or seven-seat configurations, the option of two or all-wheel drive, petrol or diesel engines and manual, automatic or CVT transmissions there appears to be an Outlander for every occasion.

Designed from the outset to be ‘Eco-friendly’, the latest Outlander offers exceptional fuel economy of 5.8L/100km in six-speed automatic diesel form. It’s the first time Outlander has been offered in this configuration. All models also score a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The entry point in Outlander world is the five-seat ES 2WD with five-speed manual transmission. This model has a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder producing 110kW and 190Nm torque and can tow a braked trailer of up to 1600kg (735kg unbraked). Cargo space is listed as 477l with the second-row seats in place, increasing to a spacious 1608l with them folded down.

Well-specified, the ES comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, cloth trim, climate control, cruise control, keyless-entry central locking, power windows and mirrors, wheel-mounted phone and audio controls, Bluetooth integration, folding mirrors, single-piece tailgate, reversing sensors, seven airbags and the full suite of safety acronyms (ABS with EBD, ASC, with ATC (Active Traction Control) and HSC (Hill Start Control). An ‘Eco’ Mode Control and Drive Support system assists with keeping things green via a dash display. For those not wanting to shift gears manually, the intelligent CVT transmission is optional.

Ticking the ES 4WD box brings the larger 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine and the CVT gearbox as standard. This engine produces 124kW and 220Nm, delivered to the tarmac (or gravel) via an adaptive four-wheel drive system which uses electronics to sense traction loss. The driver has the option to leave the system in automatic mode, or can switch to an ‘Eco’ mode which draws most of its drive from the front wheels only. Finally, a 4WD lock control ensures maximum traction where required.

Moving up, the LS gets 16-inch alloys, the CVT transmission (with paddle shifts) with the 2.0-litre engine, dual-zone climate control, front fog lamps, mirrors with integrated indicators, a 6.1-inch audio system with rear camera interface, rear cargo blind, a five-leaf rating system in Eco Mode (this ‘grades’ your trip based on consumption) and privacy glass. The 4WD LS gets the petrol 2.4-litre but can also be specified with a 110kW/360Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine and mandatory six-speed automatic. This combination can tow 2000kg braked (750 unbraked). Either version gets a third seat-row for seven-seat total capacity.

The upmarket Aspire gets 18-inch alloys, chrome exterior accents, leather seat facings (the driver’s being electronically-adjustable) with ‘woodprint’ panelling, automatic wipers/headlamps and a smart key with one-touch starting. Finally, the Aspire Premium turns things up another notch with a 7.0-inch screen with integrated sat-nav, premium nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo, power tailgate, adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation. Aspire is available in 2.4-litre petrol or 2.2-litre turbo-diesel forms, and is 4WD only.

All models receive Mitsubishi’s extensive after-sales package which includes a five year/130,000km warranty, five years roadside assistance and capped price servicing for four years/60,000km.

Private Fleet sampled an Outlander Aspire Premium in turbo-diesel form. With its high levels of standard equipment and excellent forward and side visibility the Aspire was a comfortable place to be, either in peak hour or travelling on the open road, though the third-row seats are strictly for children only. Selecting the Eco Mode does make a difference, seeming to soften off the throttle response while simultaneously limiting the power drawn from the air-conditioning system. It also runs in 2WD mode for the majority of the time when Eco is selected. Thus driven, the headline 5.8L/100km fuel consumption figure was achieved in hot summer conditions.

The diesel engine is torquey and relaxed with a smooth idle; it’s quite unobtrusive for a diesel, only revealing itself under load from low revs. Simply turn the radio up and you don’t even notice the engine, the sound quality of the Rockford Fosgate system being exceptional. Its screen also delivers a clear sat-nav interface and the integrated reversing camera is also helpful given the Outlander’s height.

Off-road the Outlander Aspire proved very capable in 4WD lock mode with excellent traction and decent wheel travel; though the engine could use a lower first gear to aid downhill crawling.

With a hybrid version coming on-stream later in the year, the latest Outlander presents a compelling case for those in the market for an eco-friendly family hauler which can cope with city and country life alike.

The current model series includes the:

• Mitsubishi Outlander ES 2WD
• Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4WD
• Mitsubishi Outlander LS 2WD
• Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD
• Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire 4WD
• Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire Premium 4WD

For any more information on the Mitsubishi Outlander, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!) we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Mitsubishi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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