Amidst the buzz surrounding new car launches by Porsche and McLaren, Mitsubishi has stepped into the spotlight with its brand-new 2022 Outlander, marking a fresh chapter for the renowned automobile manufacturer.
Presenting revamped aesthetics both internally and externally, the fourth iteration of Mitsubishi’s flagship model solidifies its unique selling point by offering a standard third row, a feature that distinguishes it from competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Priced starting from $26,990, the Outlander is set to hit the market in April this year. While not as glamorous as the latest GT3 from Porsche or McLaren Artura, the fusion of “Mitsubishi” and “new car” is a rare occurrence in today’s automotive landscape.
Mitsubishi
Fueled by a 181-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a CVT, the 2022 Outlander embodies the product ideology of “I-Fu-Do-Do,” a phrase denoting “genuine and magnificent” in Japanese, albeit lacking a similar grandeur in English.
In response to queries about its platform association with the Nissan Rogue, a company representative hinted at a collaborative engineering platform within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, slyly avoiding a concrete confirmation. Hence, speculations lean towards a shared heritage with the Rogue. Notably, the Outlander exhibits a familiar automatic gear shifter reminiscent of its Rogue counterpart.
Assurances from Mitsubishi’s spokesperson emphasize that the driving experience of the Outlander sets it apart from Alliance counterparts, owing to tailored suspension, Super All-Wheel Control AWD system, and internally developed and selected tires. Extensive efforts by the engineering team were devoted to refining the crossover’s driving dynamics. Notably, production responsibilities for the Outlander rest with Mitsubishi’s Okazaki plant.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offers six distinct drive modes for AWD variants (Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud), alongside optional features like a 12.3-inch central display with wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a nine-inch digital instrument cluster.
Mitsubishi
Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com