The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander arrives with a novel redesign that finds the compact crossover SUV sporting new styling on the floor, however a well-known platform beneath shared with the Nissan Rogue. That is the primary Mitsubishi produced together with Nissan, and that closeness conveys a degree of familiarity within the new Outlander.

Very similar to relationship conventions within the present age, Mitsubishi’s relationship with Nissan is tough to label. To listen to Mitsubishi describe it, it’s an alliance, one during which Mitsubishi fashions will bear an rising familiarity to their Nissan counterparts.

One of the best analogy to this setup is the one between Hyundai and Kia, the place the 2 corporations share platforms, engines, and know-how, although the styling, tuning, and packaging is left as much as every entity.I spent a morning piloting the Outlander round Orange County in Southern California, parsing out the variations between the Outlander and the Rogue and getting a style of the suburban life that is ideally suited for this compact crossover. 

The Outlander distinguishes itself from the Rogue with some daring styling selections, particularly up entrance the place giant six-element LED headlights that sit beneath LED operating lights that bleed off the highest of the entrance grille. Gone is the curvy look of the earlier technology, changed by a boxy ruggedness and a flat roof. It’s an enchancment in my eyes from the final Outlander. 

The Outlander rides on the identical platform because the Nissan Rogue and the 2 autos share a powertrain as properly: a 181 hp, 2.5-liter inline-4 joined to a repeatedly variable automated transmission (CVT) and commonplace front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive non-compulsory. It drives just like the Rogue, although that is additionally an enchancment. The outdated Outlander slowed down at low speeds with its outdated inline-4 setup. Low-speed responsiveness has improved in all drive modes besides Eco mode. Keep away from Eco mode until accelerating at a sluggish tempo is your cup of tea.

The physique rolls throughout fast adjustments of route however that’s par for the course on this section. The Outlander’s steering is much less numb than anticipated, with some first rate suggestions within the wheel however not sufficient weight for my tastes. Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive system provides $1,800 and features a few further drive modes to regulate the all-wheel drive system to totally different circumstances, similar to snow, gravel, or mud. 

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

My top-of-the-line SEL with Touring Bundle additionally featured a a lot improved inside. The outgoing mannequin had numerous black plastic trim that gave it a dour look. That’s modified with a two-tone inside and a pair of comfy entrance seats with semi-aniline leather-based upholstery and diamond stitching. The screens on the sprint match up with the Rogue to the inch; an 8-inch touchscreen is commonplace, with a 9-inch touchscreen non-compulsory. There’s even the identical non-compulsory 10.8-inch head-up show and 12.3-inch digital dashboard behind the wheel that’s been barely reskinned to look totally different. And identical to the Rogue, wi-fi Apple CarPlay is commonplace, although Android Auto nonetheless requires the usage of a cable.

The brand new Outlander is bigger all-around than the outdated mannequin, with a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase and a pair of inches of added width. This boosts second-row leg room to 39.9 inches, however third-row legroom has plummeted all the best way right down to 18.7 inches from 28.2 inches. Mitsubishi says that the second-row can now slide extra to open up some leg room for the third row, but it surely actually doesn’t do a lot. I can’t inform you how the third-row is as a result of I took one look and refused to climb again there; had I gone in at 5-foot 11, I could by no means have made it out. The ground is so excessive that there isn’t any room to even put your ft underneath the second-row. There’s no method an grownup suits again there underneath any circumstances—even a small baby would complain concerning the lodging. So whereas the Outlander continues to be the one car within the section to supply a typical third row, I’m unsure what it’s good for. 

The Outlander nonetheless affords fairly good worth to begin. ES fashions price $26,990 and include a very good set of options and a pleasant 5-year/60,000-mile primary guarantee. My take a look at car stickered at $37,995 (together with vacation spot costs), placing it close to the upper finish of the category (the Rogue Platinum tops out at $85 extra). The added refinement to the drivetrain, inside enhancements, and know-how upgrades make this worth way more palatable than earlier than for the Outlander.

Going into this drive, I preferred the Rogue so I used to be fairly positive that the Outlander would observe swimsuit. And it does for essentially the most half: the 2 autos drive equally and have intently matched function units. Mitsubishi’s multimedia system feels a step or two behind Nissan’s, however neither feels nice, with dated graphics and fonts (particularly for navigation). Each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay provide superior consumer experiences. In all, nevertheless, the alliance appears to have modified the Outlander for the higher and bodes properly for Mitsubishi’s future choices.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Outlander’s guarantee provides it a leg up on the Rogue’s 3-year/36,000-mile primary guarantee, however that’s about it. The third-row ought to give it a bonus in idea, however in observe it’s too small to depend. A lot of the selection between the 2 will come right down to styling, with the Outlander’s daring entrance finish standing in stark distinction to the Rogue’s restraint.

The 2022 Outlander arrives at dealerships beginning this month.

Mitsubishi supplied an Outlander and a few tacos for The Automotive Connection to convey you this firsthand report.