Overview
With sci-fi exterior styling and a snazzier-looking interior, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is totally reimagined and looks to be a worthy entrant in the competitive compact-crossover class. Its standard three-row seating is uncharacteristic of the segment, too. The Outlander shares a platform and other components with the recently redesigned Nissan Rogue, including a 181-hp four-cylinder powertrain. Mitsubishi also enhances the Outlander’s roster of features and aims to improve its driving manners compared with the outgoing version. The most notable improvements happen in the cabin, which boasts a more contemporary design and classier materials than before. Plus, there’s an assortment of new connectivity features and driver-assistance technology. A plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) model will eventually join the lineup, too.
What’s New for 2022?
The 2022 Outlander is all-new and introduces another generation of Mitsubishi’s compact crossover.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Mitsubishi says the 2022 Outlander will start just shy of $27,000 when it reaches dealerships this April. However, the company hasn’t yet revealed how much the higher trim levels will cost or defined pricing for individual options and packages. Once those details are made available, we can evaluate the Outlander’s value and recommend which one to buy.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Outlander is motivated by a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It pairs exclusively with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration, but all-wheel-drive is optional. One of the things that made the outgoing model unique compared with most other compact crossovers was its available plug-in-hybrid powertrain. We know that Mitsubishi will continue to offer it on this latest generation, but official details haven’t been released. We think the PHEV’s gas engine could change from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder to a large 2.4-liter unit.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Mitsubishi hasn’t said how fuel-efficient the 2022 Outlander will be in the city or on the highway. Once those official estimates are announced, and we have the opportunity to run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can evaluate the crossover’s real-world mpg. For more information about the Outlander’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The new Outlander looks to have significantly nicer cabin materials compared with its predecessor, which was marred by subpar plastics and chintzy trim pieces. Not only are the interior accents and surfaces of higher quality, but the design finally qualifies as modern. Likewise, there’s an assortment of contemporary content that includes an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a head-up display. Mitsubishi also says it has made the Outlander’s interior feel more spacious, improved outward visibility, and increased its maximum cargo capacity from 66 cubic feet to 80. It also continues to have standard three-row seating, making the Outlander one of the two compact crossovers with seating for up to seven passengers. The Volkswagen Tiguan is currently the only alternative.
Infotainment and Connectivity
On the infotainment front, the new Outlander offers both an 8.0- and 9.0-inch touchscreen. Along with charging ports at the bottom of the center stack, the system features hard buttons and physical knobs for volume and tuning. The Outlander also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Available with driver-assistance technology that includes adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous drive mode, the 2022 Outlander boasts a compelling set of tech. For more information about the compact crossover’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mitsubishi provides one of the better limited and powertrain warranties versus other compact crossovers and SUVs. Although the company doesn’t offer complimentary maintenance, its primary protection plans are just as long as those from Kia and Hyundai.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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