2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport First Drive Review

Interior amenities run the gamut in this small SUV. From a panoramic sunroof that stretches seamlessly from the front to well into the rear seats, to FUSE, Mitsubishi's new entertainment connectivity system. The system works great, with Bluetooth pairing simple and device connectivity via USB or headphone jack a no brainer. Like competitive systems, FUSE offers voice command controls that will complete basic tasks such as "next song", play artist "The Scorpions", or "call mom" (32 contacts can be called by name). I found the voice recognition to work without a hitch, and if you're in the market for a compact SUV, the Outlander Sport is currently one of the only options on the market with this technology.
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The standard audio system sounded perfectly acceptable, but if you like to crank the tuneage, the optional Rockford Fosgate sound system is a must. Personally, I found it to be a bit bass-heavy, though rap or techno music fans won't complain. It's a worthwhile upgrade for anyone that lists music as a remote priority and works perfectly for carefree windows-down "look at me" motoring. I should know; I got weird looks galore with Whitesnake blasting through rural Baja.

As you'd expect from a new car, interior materials and fit and finish quality comes standard, and that's important in a vehicle such as this. There is a lot of hard plastic employed, but there was nary a rattle or buzz as I blasted over Baja's less than stellar roads. I found the control layout to be intuitive with a clear separation of audio and climate controls, though the climate controls are a bit low, and in a manual transmission car (like my tester), adjusting temp and fan speed required some awkward reaches depending on your gear selection.

Not that many people will drive a manual transmission car. While it's the value leader of the lineup, I suspect most people will opt for the CVT (continuously variable transmission) with paddle control. Not much to say about the CVT, it put power down like...a CVT. If you've never driven a CVT, it's a strange experience. There are no gears, so it doesn't shift. Instead, peg the accelerator, and the engine roars up to redline and you accelerate. That's it. The "manual" mode simulates gears, allowing you to "shift" with the steering column-mounted paddle shifter when driving briskly or climbing a hill. I didn't find the paddles to be terribly useful, and honestly a little gimmicky, but they do add to the sporty ambiance.

On the road, when passing or accelerating, the Outlander Sport would really benefit from a tad more juice. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder could use a bump from its 148 horsepower, however cruising or less aggressive driving is fine. The suspension tuning aired on the side of sporty, which means it was a little stiff over bumps and cracks in the road. I was let down though, when the road got twisty, and the suspension let the body roll a little more than I'd care for. A canyon carver it isn't, a sporty looking practical runabout, it is. It's also worth noting that the brakes are great. I discovered this first hand when the cow I mentioned at the beginning of this review decided to take a siesta in the road. I'm sure Bessie was grateful, as is Mitsubishi (more now than before) for putting excellent brakes on the Outlander Sport.

While not a segment leader, the new Outlander Sport is a great choice for someone looking for a unique, sporty looking alternative to the conventional compact crossover. It does everything that a compact crossover should do, and it packs some innovative features for the segment. It's perfect if you're looking for something to compliment your active lifestyle, tote around friends, or cruise around town in. Just keep in mind that you won't be winning any drag races.

Factor in a starting price of $18,495, and a maxed-out price in the mid-20's, and the Outlander Sport becomes even more attractive option. You won't find this level of youthful sophistication elsewhere, and at the price, it's hard to pick a better alternative in the segment. Go anywhere and have fun doing it, the Outlander Sport fits the bill.