Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi's recent lineup of vehicles has not been one of our favorites. The subcompact Mirage is inexpensive but undesirable, and the Outlander Sport SUV is, well, best to just not say anything about that one. Thankfully, there's a lot of good stuff to say about the redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. It's a dramatic improvement over its predecessor and could be worth looking at if you're shopping for a small SUV.

Mitsubishi upgraded the new Outlander just about everywhere. The steering gives you a better feel for the road, the handling is more secure, and the interior is quieter and more comfortable. Interestingly, this new Outlander is based on the also-new-for-2021 Nissan Rogue; the two SUVs have the same engines and share other mechanical features. But Mitsubishi definitely puts its own spin on the vehicle, with Land Rover-inspired styling and a third-row seat. That third row is tiny, so something like a Honda Pilot would be a better choice if you really need an SUV with three rows of seating. Still, only a few small SUVs offer a third row, and it can come in handy in pinch.

Key rivals to the Outlander include the related Rogue, the Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento and Volkswagen Tiguan. What should you get? Read our Expert Rating below for our full breakdown of the new Outlander.

Each of the three primary trims has something to offer, and we think all justify their price tags. The ES comes with a ton of great features and doesn't cost very much. That said, we think it's worth spending a little extra for the SE. Doing so gets you a power liftgate, keyless entry and Mitsubishi's Mi-Pilot collection of driver assistance systems.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small three-row SUV with seating for seven. It is sold in five trim levels: ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, SEL and SEL Launch Edition. All are powered by a 181-horsepower four-cylinder engine connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Most trims come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional (Mitsubishi calls it Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC). The only exception is the SEL Launch Edition, which comes in all-wheel drive only.

ES The entry-level Outlander ES comes standard with:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Push-button ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
40/20/40-split folding second-row seats
50/50-split second-row seats
8-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

A suite of advanced driving aids is also included. It consists of:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

Optional for the ES is the Convenience package. It adds:

20-inch wheels
Mitsubishi Connect with Safeguard and Remote Services (a subscription-based service that provides support in emergencies and allows you to control certain vehicle functions from your phone)

SE Stepping up to the SE adds:

ES Convenience package
Silver exterior trim
Automatic wipers
Heated mirrors
Hands-free liftgate
Keyless entry
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
9-inch touchscreen
Navigation system
Wireless charging pad
Rear USB ports
Front parking sensors
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Outlander and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Mi-Pilot Assist system — partially automates some driving actions. Consists of:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mitsubishi and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Outlander back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

The available Tech package adds:

Panoramic sunroof
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Digital instrument panel
10-speaker Bose audio system

SE Launch Edition The SE Launch Edition is equipped similarly to the SE, though it doesn't include the Mi-Pilot Assist system. That said, adaptive cruise control is present. Other add-ons include:

Tech package
Illuminated Mitsubishi badge on the outside
Puddle lamps

SEL This top-trim spec starts with SE content and adds:

Power-folding mirrors
Roof rails
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
12.3-inch digital instrument panel
Imitation leather-covered door panels
Tri-zone climate control
Driver's seat memory settings
Power passenger seat
Heated rear seats
Leather upholstery
Ambient lighting

The SEL's Touring package adds:

Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Upgraded leather upholstery
Rear sunshade
10-speaker Bose audio system
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

SEL Launch Edition The SEL Launch Edition combines all-wheel drive and the features from the SE Launch Edition and the SEL with Touring package. Mi-Pilot Assist is not available, though it does have adaptive cruise control.