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Same Great SUV - Better Fuel Mileage: 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander |
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Written by Jeff Zurschmeide
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 |
It’s been a little over a year since I took a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander on the Alcan 5000 winter rally. With some friends, I drove that Outlander over 10,000 miles from Los Angeles, California to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, and then back again. Tuktoyaktuk is located at about 70 degrees north latitude at the end of a 120 mile drive down the frozen McKenzie River and across a chunk of the Arctic Ocean. It’s the end of the road in North America.
 Fun to Drive - and Great Mileage
In the course of that trip, I developed a deep affection for the Outlander. Across snow, gravel, ice, and pavement, the trusty Mitsubishi never gave us a moment of trouble. So I was pleased to get a chance to spend a week in the new 2009 Outlander.
The car I took to the Arctic was a 3.0-liter V6 with All Wheel Drive, but for 2009 Mitsubishi is highlighting their 2.4-liter 4 cylinder version. This front wheel drive crossover SUV is the most basic Outlander you can buy - retailing for $20,580. That includes a 6-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) that makes the best use of the available engine power. It’s even got paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
 Useful and Tough
But in the midst of an economic downturn and a new sense of responsibility and thrift, the 2009 Outlander makes a lot of good sense. You still get optional 7-passenger capability, nice looks, nice enough CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, and a power sunroof.
The creature comforts haven’t changed, but the 2.4-liter engine offers you much better fuel economy. The EPA estimates the Outlander SE at 20 MPG city and 25 MPG highway, and I found those numbers to be very conservative. I took the Outlander from Portland to Seattle and got almost 29 MPG without even trying. That was running on cruise control at the speed limit, which is 70 most of the way. I got a consistent 23 MPG in around-town driving.
 Nice Interior
It’s true that this great fuel economy comes at a price - the 2.4-liter Outlander SE isn’t as punchy or fast as the V6 version, but it’s more than adequately quick for most people. The Outlander’s handling is still the same – it’s not a sports car, but it’s not bad for a crossover SUV. As a family wagon, every Outlander comes with stability control, antilock brakes, and a whole lot of airbags.
You can get the 2.4-liter Outlander with optional AWD, which is a nice combination with the CVT. If you want to spend more money, you can buy the SE model, which is a trim upgrade with fog lights, keyless entry, a great 6-disc stereo with a huge Rockford-Fosgate subwoofer, and optional hands-free Bluetooth phone capability. At the top of the line, there’s still the XLS version with the V6 and 6-speed automatic gearbox.
 A good choice in a Crossover
The bottom line is that Mitsubishi got ahead of the game by offering the 2.4-liter engine last year, and bringing the smaller engine to the forefront this year. Times have changed, and people who still need or want an SUV have a good option in the Outlander. It’s affordable, comfortable, useful, and thrifty. That’s what the market is all about today.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 27 May 2009 )
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