After countless concept cars and teasers, Mitsubishi finally unveiled the 2016 Outlander at the 2015 New York Auto Show .
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| 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander |
The facelift comes as a last hurrah for the third-generation Outlander, which is scheduled to be replaced by a completely redesigned vehicle in 2017. To keep it fresh in a segment attended by many manufacturers, the Japanese automaker refined the SUV’s exterior looks and upgraded the interior and the chassis. Unfortunately for those of you hoping to get a more powerful Outlander, Mitsubishi decided not to meddle with the two engines offered in last year’s model.
Mitsubishi introduced the Outlander in 2001 as a midsize crossover based on the ASX concept. Initially known as the Mitsubishi Airtrek on the Japanese market, the first-gen Outlander was powered by a range of 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engines mated to four- and five-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The vehicle was launched in the U.S. in 2003 as a replacement for the Montero Sport. The second-gen Outlander arrived in 2005. The redesigned shell came with new engines, new gearboxes and new safety features. For the first time, the crossover gained a 3.0-liter V-6 and a six-speed, twin-clutch transmission. A 2009 facelift added the Lancer’s front end to the Outlander. The second-gen model was replaced altogether for the 2013 model year, when major visual and drivetrain updates were operated. More importantly, the Outlander became available as a plug-in hybrid under the P-HEV moniker.
Exterior
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| Exterior of 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander |
As with most facelifts, the Outlander gained a reshaped front fascia that includes a new grille with two horizontal slats, a revamped bumper with a massive, trapezoidal inlet and chrome ornaments, and revised headlamps that extend further into the grille. The foglamps received new housings that blend in with the chrome trim that surround both the large air dam and the headlamps. Overall, the new front fascia is a massive improvement over its predecessor, making the Outlander look not only crisper, but sportier too.
Overall, the new front fascia is a massive improvement over its predecessor, making the Outlander look not only crisper, but sportier too.
Significant changes are noticeable around back too. Larger, redesigned taillights and the chrome accents on the tailgate give the rear end a fresh look, also enhanced by the bumper lights, which have been reshaped and moved further toward the edges. Additionally, it seems as the revised bumper received a diffuser-like element. From the side, the Outlander looks a bit different too. The sills are slightly beefier, while black plastic trim has been added to the lower area of the doors for a touch of ruggedness.
Interior
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| Interior 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander |
The refreshed Outlander’s interior features a redesigned steering wheel, new seating surfaces, accent trim, rear folding seat, headliner, display audio system, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink. Granted, that’s not much for a facelift described as extensive, but I must confess I didn’t expect Mitsubishi to come up with something radical in this department.
The Outlander comes with significant improvements to NVH levels.
The SUV also received significant improvements to NVH levels thanks to "noise-isolating windshield and rear door glass, more sound insulation throughout the vehicle." Other changes include the availability of the Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for the SEL and GT Models.
Drivetrain
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| 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Even though the company brags about having made "over 100 engineering and design improvements" to the Outlander, it seems as if the 2016 engine lineup carries over unchanged from last year.
That being said, the 2.4-liter four-banger motivating the ES and SE versions delivers the same 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.0-liter V-6 powering the range-topping GT model cranks out 224 horses and 215 pound-feet. There is a new CVT, however, said to come with improvements to acceleration and shift feel.
The 2016 engine lineup carries over unchanged from last year.
Other upgrades include increased body and suspension structural rigidity, a redesigned suspension, and electric power steering.
Prices
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| 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Changes that make a crossover better-looking and better-equipped are always welcome, but given there aren’t many improvements in the drivetrain compartment, I expect Mitsubishi to add less than $500 to the Outlander’s current starting price of $23,195.
Conclusion
I always thought the Outlander’s exterior was a bit too bland, even for an unpretentious SUV, but this update comes to solve that problem brilliantly. What’s more, not only did the Outlander ditched its boring suit for 2016, but it also gained a sportier outfit that will leave a lot of SUV enthusiasts impressed. Based on the spy shots, I honestly didn’t believe the new Outlander will be able to win a beauty contest against the Sorento and the RAV4, but it seems I was wrong. The Outlander is sexier than it has ever been, which means Mitsubishi has done its homework in the styling department. On the other hand, cabin upgrades are rather disappointing compared to the efforts Mitsubishi put in redesigning the exterior.
Press Release
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the new 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander seven-passenger crossover at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. The 2016 Outlander is the first Mitsubishi production vehicle to showcase the brand’s new design language. The 2016 Outlander is not just a cosmetic "refreshing," however, and features an unprecedented number of important engineering and design improvements that increase the level of refinement and overall driving experience. The 2016 Outlander is a segment-leading vehicle that will appeal to buyers wanting value, quality and safety.
"The 2016 Outlander has an eye-catching new design aesthetic inside and out, and with its long list of engineering upgrades, the new Outlander literally looks, drives and feels like an entirely new vehicle, making it an even more compelling value than before," said MMNA Executive Vice President, Don Swearingen. "Mitsubishi’s outstanding sales momentum is carrying into the new-year and with the arrival of the 2016 Outlander crossover we are well positioned to sustain our growth."
The 2016 Outlander features Mitsubishi’s new front design concept, "Dynamic Shield." This feature is inherited from the bumper side protection seen on generations of the Montero, providing unique protection for both the people and car.
Numerous design and engineering improvements have been made to the chassis of the 2016 Outlander, including increased body and suspension structural rigidity, redesigned suspension and Electric Power Steering, noise-isolating windshield and rear door glass, more sound insulation throughout the vehicle, new dynamic front suspension and rear differential dampers, improved weather stripping and engine compartment trim (all models). Additionally, the new generation continuously-variable transmission offers improved acceleration, performance, shift feel and torque delivery (all CVT-equipped models).
The exterior design features of the 2016 Outlander include a redesigned front fascia, front fenders, halogen headlights, LED position lights, lower door sections, 18-in. alloy wheels, rear fascia and LED taillights (all models); and power-folding side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer and LED headlights (GT model). The reconfigured interior includes a redesigned steering wheel, seating surfaces, accent trim, rear folding seat, headliner, display audio system (all models) and auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® (GT model).
Mitsubishi’s advanced safety systems including Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are now available for the SEL and GT Models.
Mitsubishi Motors finished 2014 with vehicle sales up 24.8 percent over 2013 – among the highest sales growth in the U.S. auto industry. That sales momentum is carrying over through the first quarter of 2015, with continued year-over-year sales growth.
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