Outlander not outlandish

Ah, yes, the Outlander - one of the least outlandish compact SUVs on the road.

Mitsubishi’s entry in the congested compact SUV segment is both versatile and easy on the eyes, but lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that surely would go a long way in setting it apart from more well-established models from Toyota, Honda and Ford, just to name a few. Not that it exactly sits in the most stirring segment in the first place.

Our tester, an Outlander ES, is the new base trim level added for the 2008 model year. Despite its being the base trim, it has several advantages over the LS and XLS models. Besides being more affordable, the ES uses a new, more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, it can be equipped with either 2WD or 4WD and it only comes in a five-seat configuration. The Outlander has possibly the worst third row of seats of any new vehicle currently sold in North America. Without it, the Outlander has a long, deep carpeted rear cargo area that can fit a lot of stuff - even when equipped with the Rockford Fosgate sound system and its large subwoofer.

The 60/40 split second row seats allow for an even larger area to put longer items when they’re in the folded-and-tumbled position. Keep in mind the spring-loaded mechanism that causes them to fold so easily, makes them a real challenge to unfold unless you’re using two hands.

The four-cylinder engine is mated to one transmission only - a continuously variable unit with a ‘Sportronic’ mode that allows for shifting simulated gears. The CVT acts like just about any other CVT on the market right now - acceleration is somewhat lethargic, with the trade-off being improved fuel economy over conventional automatics. Surprisingly, the sequential mode is a ton of fun, with the vehicle going through the six gears almost as fast as you can flick the shifter up or down. That being said, you can pretty much throw the Outlander’s EnerGuide fuel economy ratings out the window once you start shifting on your own. Use the CVT exclusively, and you’re successfully throwing any type of fun out the window.

Being the 4WD-equipped model, the vehicle is 143 lbs. heavier than the version powered by two wheels, and does feel a little clumsy, though you have the obvious benefits associated with a surefooted all-wheel drive vehicle - for $2,000 more.

Just like its handling ability, Mitsubishi says it wants the interior of the Outlander to feel like a premium sport sedan. Though that may be somewhat off the mark, it’s still a quality interior overall. The cloth seats are nicely bolstered and are actually quite grippy, while still having some give for when entering and exiting the vehicle.

The center stack layout is as straightforward as they come, with the added bonus of clearly labelled steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. These make it even more difficult to become distracted when it’s time to change the radio station or set your speed on the highway. It’s a shame that the red font used for the multi-information display is so difficult to read during the day.

The interior is surprisingly quiet, which is even more amazing when hearing how loud the engine is when you open the hood. Sitting inside the Outlander, meanwhile, you’ll barely notice a peep.

It’s nice to see that though Mitsu added this new - and admittedly well-equipped - lower-priced Outlander model, owners are still able to buy all kinds of reasonably-priced add-ons, everything from scuff plates and a cargo cover, to a six-CD changer and auxiliary MP3 cable. It is strange that the Sun & Sound package (which adds a loud Rockford Fosgate sound system, satellite radio and sunroof) is only available on the 4WD ES, and not the 2WD.

On the other hand, the other notable downside to the Outlander is that it has a somewhat underwhelming ‘solid’ feel overall. This is most noticeable when simply opening and closing the doors. They require an emphatic slam when being closed, and they never give off that satisfying ‘thunk’.

All-in-all, Mitsubishi did well by adding a four-cylinder engine to the 2008 Outlander lineup and by association, a lower-priced model. It may not ‘wow’ in any specific way, but you could do far worse in this overcrowded segment.