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2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Quality Review

April 17, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

3rd row is suitable only for kids
ConsumerGuide

particularly like the Outlander's dual-opening rear hatch
Edmunds

doesn't quite match the RAV4 for material quality
Car and Driver

While the quality of interior materials used lag behind the competition, the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander boasts an impressive amount of cargo space and innovative features.

ConsumerGuide says that the "3rd row is suitable only for kids, and they will ride in an uncomfortable knees-up position on a cushion that uses webbed hammock-style material rather than conventional padding." Fortunately, the third row can collapse "flat into the cargo floor when not in use," leading Kelley Blue Book to term it a "why not?" feature. Edmunds reports that the Mitsubishi "Outlander comes with a third-row seat," though its "effectiveness is debatable."

According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, passenger space is much more accommodating. ConsumerGuide says that the front seats in the Mitsubishi Outlander offer "plentiful headroom and legroom" and "the seats are generally comfortable, though some occupants may want more thigh support." They add that the second row features "good headroom" and "legroom on all Outlanders is more than sufficient for most adults."

Edmunds reviewers report that "in terms of cargo room, a little less than 73 cubic feet is at your disposal with the second- and third-row seats folded," and they "particularly like the Outlander's dual-opening rear hatch, as the upper portion provides convenient access to groceries, while the lower portion" can drop down "to form a tailgate capable of supporting 440 pounds." Interior storage on the Mitsubishi 2009 Outlander draws praise as well, particularly from ConsumerGuide, where testers observe that the "good interior storage includes a nicely sized glove box and center console."

The 2009 Outlander can't overcome drawbacks regarding its materials and build quality. Car and Driver notes that it "doesn't quite match the RAV4 for material quality," while Edmunds mentions the "plastics and controls feel a bit low-grade." ConsumerGuide remarks that the "cabin has few padded surfaces and many plastic panels that feel thin and hollow to the touch" and "look on the cheap side," while one of their Mitsubishi Outlanders "suffered from a number of interior creaks and groans," a sign of poor build quality.

You can hear the Outlander's questionable build quality every time you drive down the highway. ConsumerGuide rates the Mitsubishi Outlander below the class average when it comes to interior noise levels and deems "engine and bump noise are the biggest sources of ruckus." AutoWeek adds that the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander is plagued by "roaring engine, tranny, road and wind noise."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander has enough space, but all the noises aren’t reassuring.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:3rd row is suitable only for kidsConsumerGuideparticularly like the Outlander's dual-opening rear hatchEdmundsdoesn't quite match the RAV4 for material qualityCar and Driver While the quality of interior materials used lag behind the competition, the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander boasts an impressive amount of cargo space and innovative features. ConsumerGuide says that the "3rd row is suitable only for kids, and they will ride in an uncomfortable knees-up position on a cushion that uses webbed hammock-style material rather than conventional padding." Fortunately, the third row can collapse "flat into the cargo floor when not in use," leading Kelley Blue Book to term it a "why not?" feature. Edmunds reports that the Mitsubishi "Outlander comes with a third-row seat," though its "effectiveness is debatable." According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, passenger space is much more accommodating. ConsumerGuide says that the front seats in the Mitsubishi Outlander offer "plentiful headroom and legroom" and "the seats are generally comfortable, though some occupants may want more thigh support." They add that the second row features "good headroom" and "legroom on all Outlanders is more than sufficient for most adults." Edmunds reviewers report that "in terms of cargo room, a little less than 73 cubic feet is at your disposal with the second- and third-row seats folded," and they "particularly like the Outlander's dual-opening rear hatch, as the upper portion provides convenient access to groceries, while the lower portion" can drop down "to form a tailgate capable of supporting 440 pounds." Interior storage on the Mitsubishi 2009 Outlander draws praise as well, particularly from ConsumerGuide, where testers observe that the "good interior storage includes a nicely sized glove box and center console." The 2009 Outlander can't overcome drawbacks regarding its materials and build quality. Car and Driver notes that it "doesn't quite match the RAV4 for material quality," while Edmunds mentions the "plastics and controls feel a bit low-grade." ConsumerGuide remarks that the "cabin has few padded surfaces and many plastic panels that feel thin and hollow to the touch" and "look on the cheap side," while one of their Mitsubishi Outlanders "suffered from a number of interior creaks and groans," a sign of poor build quality. You can hear the Outlander's questionable build quality every time you drive down the highway. ConsumerGuide rates the Mitsubishi Outlander below the class average when it comes to interior noise levels and deems "engine and bump noise are the biggest sources of ruckus." AutoWeek adds that the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander is plagued by "roaring engine, tranny, road and wind noise." ConclusionThe 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander has enough space, but all the noises aren’t reassuring. 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: " Mitsubishi certainly got it right with the vehicle's styling" ConsumerGuide: "Smallish digital display in the center of the gauge cluster can wash out at times" Edmunds: "Sporty styling with useful rear ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The driving position in the Outlander—like in the Subaru Forester—seems a bit lower to the road; thus, the Outlander feel sportier than most small SUVs. Compared to the Forester, the standard four in the Outlander doesn’t come across nearly as strong as the standard flat-four in the Subaru even though their power figures are close, but the Outlander has it beat with its V-6. For a few thousand dollars more, the Mazda CX-7 seats only five, but it's perceived as a more complete performance package, with very comfortable seating, sporty suspension tuning, and a rorty turbocharged engine. The Forester and CR-V remain the best for those who are safety-minded; they're both IIHS Top Safety Picks. Like the Toyota RAV4, the Outlander offers a small third-row seat that will probably go unused most of the time but is nice to have; like the Honda CR-V, its interior is very spacious. The Outlander has more spirited performance and sportier handling than the Toyota and Honda, though the ride is firmer and less comfortable on some surfaces.

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See the Mitsubishi Outlander in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Comments (1 total)

  1. By CCC #1, Posted: 8/1/2009

    Its annoying at how the outlander is continuously underated by supposed experts. Its always the negatives that are pointed out first against its competitors as in the other choices review. More emphasis is put on how poor the 4 is against the Forrester and briefly mentions that the V6 kills it.
    The CX-7 comparison is "a few thousand more". That depends which model we are now comparing too. If its the Outlander four its more than just a few thousand and we conveniently forget to mention the CX-7 is very thirsty, which is what put me off it.
    We comment on how much better the Forrester and CRV rate in safety. Why? Didnt this Outlander just get a 10/10 for safety as well. It gets a 5star safety rating with all side, curtain and front airbags you could require.
    We cant go by with giving a complement to it without a vague negative implication when mentioning the handling. The outlander handles very well and does feel sporty. I would suggest that the CRV & RAV4 are just as uncomfortable "on some surfaces" and would expect the outlander is much better in conditions closer to real 4wd situations due to its superior ground clearance and full lock 4wd mode.

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