Mitsubishi has been running in deep waters recently. They are struggling to hold onto firm grounds. The only car that has been bringing about traction is the Mitsubishi Outlander. This SUV was introduced in 2002 and has been the only model to live for more than 2 decades.
Iconic cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer have been discontinued but Mitsubishi clung onto its SUV appeal. So, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is an all-new generation with loads of aesthetic and technology updates. A Plug-In model will join soon as hybridization has caught quite the traction. With sharper and futuristic styling, Mitsubishi might finally have a winner on its hands.
The 2022 Outlander will continue to face against the likes of Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue with which it shares a lot. The similarities with its Nissan counterpart are a lot. But Mitsubishi insists that despite sharing a lot of components, the 2022 Outlander has a completely different character true to their ideology of focus on drivability.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander starts from $25,795 and is all-new with a bolder and sharper design language. It marks the start of the 4th Generation Outlander and shares platform and powertrain with the 2021 Nissan Rogue.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Updates And New Features
The 2022 Outlander marks the start of its 4th Generation. The most notable change is the love-it or hate-it styling. Nevertheless, it sure is sharp and a refreshing jump from the aging design of the 3rd generation. The dimensions have also been tweaked which now gives it more seating and cargo space. This is due to its shared elements with the 2021 Nissan Rogue including the platform and powertrain. Other new bits include a duo of new infotainment systems focused on ease of usability and comfort.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Pricing And Trims
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander will be offered in 5 trims at launch - ES, SE, SEL, SE Launch Edition, and SEL Launch Edition. The base SE trim starts with an MSRP of $25,795 and tops out at $35,345 for the SEL Launch Edition. The Launch Edition models are mostly limited and so that leaves us with 2 key trims with the top trim being SEL priced at $31,945. Exterior features among these trims change subtly but the major ones are confined to interior comfort, technology, and safety.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Engine And Performace
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander shares its powertrain and platform with the 2021 Nissan Rogue. And so the Outlander packs the same 2.5L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 from the Rogue that pumps out a healthy 181 hp and 1891 lb-ft. It is coupled to a CVT gearbox and comes with standard FWD. You can opt for optional AWD as well.
This sure is a healthy upgrade over the last generation of Outlander's 166 hp inline-4 motor. It will also pack in a mud mode with the AWD units which would come in handy in places with traction loss. It shares the platform with Nissan Rogue under the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. But Mitsubishi states that they have tweaked the chassis for a more lively driving experience.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Interior Gets Revamped With Upscale Materials And New Infotainment
The dashboard is refreshed and is now in line with the 2022 wave of crossovers when it comes to the quality of materials. All of the lackluster plastics and dull upholstery options have been eliminated. Thanks to the increased wheelbase, the 2022 Outlander has added a notable chunk of interior space which also includes added cargo space from 66 cu. ft. to 80 cu. ft. It continues to be a standard 3 Row crossover with the only other competition with 3 rows being the Volkswagen Tiguan.
On the technology front, Mitsubishi has added an all-new infotainment setup with new 8 and 9-inch touchscreen options. It comes equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with USB charging, Wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-Speaker Bose audio system. Mitsubishi made a wise choice of keeping the physical dials for volume and radio tuning intact. It is also good to have tactile hard buttons to click now and then!
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Gets Sharper Styling And Grows In Size
The 2022 Outlander has been heavily sharpened with a bold new front fascia. It is based on the product concept of 'I-Fu-Do-Do' which translates to authentic and majestic in Japanese. It gets a new 'Dynamic Shield' which makes it a head-turning proposition even without that thick chrome bar. It has grown in size, courtesy of the shared platform and it adds to the Outlander's newfound appeal. The headlamps and down on the bumper and its LED DRLs highlight the hood lines. The rear flaunts a much subtle look as compared to the front.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Safety And Reliability Remains Commendable
Safety has been bumped up in the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. All the trims will come with standard 11 airbags and have standard features that include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear parking sensors, hill descent control, and trailer-sway control. It also gets optional driver assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control and a semi-autonomous drive mode.
When it comes to the warranty package, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in a better bundle of segment-leading offerings. It comes with a Standard Warranty for 5 years/ 60,000 miles and Powertrain Warranty for 10 years/ 100,000 miles. The absence of complimentary scheduled maintenance is a bummer though as compared to its rivals.
Sources: Mitsubishicars.com, Caranddriver.com, Motortrend.com, Cnet.com, Edmunds.com