2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

Standing out in the crowded compact three-row market segment is an uphill battle, so the latest Mitsubishi Outlander has a serious challenge on its hands. Good thing that it's so much better than its predecessor, then, because it allows the fourth-generation model to have a much better chance of making an impression among some very talented opponents. Notable competitors to the new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander include the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V, both of which are more fun to drive and quicker in a straight line, although they lose out on the Outlander's three-row seating arrangement.

The Outlander does everything you'd expect from a vehicle in this market segment, even if it doesn't excel in any particular area. Power is provided by a new, Nissan-sourced, 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft. Performance is predictably as dull as you'd imagine from such a configuration, but there's hope with the new plug-in hybrid version, which has more power on tap at 248 hp. We cover the plug-in Mitsubishi Outlander in a separate review, however. Fresher options in the segment, like the Kia Sportage, have been stealing hearts, however, so how loudly does the Outlander have to shout about its own virtues to draw attention?

The price of the Mitsubishi Outlander is competitive for the US compact segment. The base ES model has an MSRP of $27,595, although opting for the all-wheel-drive version will up this to $29,395. A step up to the SE will cost you $30,645 with an extra $1,800 for AWD. The lower-rung SE Black Edition starts at $31,845 in 2WD configuration and $33,645 for the AWD variant. In the middle of the range, the SEL goes for $34,145; add $1,800 for AWD if you want the SEL with better traction.

SEL Black Edition models in 2WD and AWD spec cost $35,595 and $37,395, respectively. And topping out the range is the 40th Anniversary all-wheel-drive-only special edition that retails for $39,995. Naturally, adding the Technology or Premium packages will see these prices rise substantially. All quoted Mitsubishi Outlander prices for 2023 exclude the handling and destination fee of $1,345.

Your first impressions behind the wheel of a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander will most likely revolve around the lackluster performance. While the 2.5-liter gas engine's outputs are competitive on paper at 181 hp and 181 lb-ft, the CVT to which it is mated is an absolute dullard, and drains any possibility of performance or enthusiasm from the Outlander. Acceleration from a standstill will be lethargic and overtaking performance will be equally lazy. And that's a pity, because the Outlander handles with some flair.

Its suspension is tuned for comfort, but there's still plenty of road grip on offer, and it is stable and secure in sudden direction changes. The steering isn't awash with road feel, and its weighting may be considered a bit on the light side for enthusiasts' tastes, but the Outlander isn't aimed at enthusiasts, so this point is largely irrelevant here. More importantly, the Outlander's ride comfort is exemplary, and refinement and noise levels are pretty impressive as well.

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander is a good SUV, kept from being great on account of its soul-destroying drivetrain. Apart from a lack of legroom in the third row, which isn't uncommon in three-row compact SUVs, the Outlander has plenty of space, an agreeable interior rendered in good-quality materials, plenty of standard features, and a very comfortable ride quality. If these factors are important to you and you don't mind its lame engine and transmission, the Outlander will definitely meet your expectations and perhaps even surprise you with a cool feature now and again. If a lively engine is a priority, though, you'd be better served with one of the Outlander's competitors or the plug-in hybrid version, although the latter costs quite a bit more.

We loved all of the features in our Outlander SEL AWD tester with the Touring Package, though we imagine some buyers may struggle to justify nearly $38,000 with destination and handling for a Mitsubishi. Other competitors in this segment can get even pricier though, so the Outlander remains a pretty good deal. If you can snag an SEL 40th Anniversary Edition, you get all of that equipment plus AWD for under $40k. The standard SEL model comes with enough bells and whistles starting at only $34,145 - we'd start there.