2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Road Test and Review

by Charles Krome

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May 20, 2016

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5 min. Reading Time

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ・ Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Mitsubishi had the right product at the right time with the current-generation Outlander Sport: It launched just as demand was picking up in the subcompact crossover segment, and thanks to a robust benefits package for owners, it's become the brand's best seller. Today, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport builds on that success with a major mid-cycle upgrade for the new model year.

The latest models continue to offer pricing right in the sweet spot of the segment, but the icing on the cake is that they also provide high levels of standard content and true crossover capabilities, something that can't always be said of rivals like the Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3 or Subaru Crosstrek.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has an MSRP of $19,595 for its base ES trim, although there's not much basic about it—especially as compared to a competitor like the Jeep Renegade. The Jeep is about $1,600 cheaper than the Outlander Sport, but it doesn't even have standard air conditioning. The Mitsubishi has that, of course, along with standard premium cues like a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, heated exterior mirrors and 18-inch wheels. As for the subcompact crossovers from Chevy, Mazda and Subaru, those are all more expensive than the Mitsubishi right out of the box, with the Subaru Crosstrek starting $2,000 higher than the Outlander Sport.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Pricing and Trim Levels (continued)

Mitsubishi's mid-level trim for the Outlander Sport is the SE, which priced from $22,495 and welcomes a more powerful engine beneath the hood, as well as heated front seats, push-button start, fog lights and display audio. If front-row occupants want standard bun-warmers in the Chevy Trax, they have to fork out $25,230. The $23,995 MSRP of the Outlander Sport SEL then raises the comfort bar a bit higher, with features like leather seats.

The most-premium choice for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the GT that opens at $25,995. Here, owners will enjoy exclusive interior luxuries ranging from a Rockford-Fosgate sound system to aluminum pedals.

Models also can be configured with the brand's All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive technology for another advantage that's particularly notable for crossover customers. The system is a $1,400 premium over front-wheel drive Outlander Sport models, while adding all-wheel drive at Chevy and Jeep requires adding $1,500 and $2,000 to their bottom lines, respectively.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Powertrains, Performance and Efficiency

One engine size doesn't always fit all shoppers, even those shopping for the same-sized vehicle. With that in mind, customers can choose from two different powerplants for the 2016 Mitusbishi Outlander Sport, whereas the Honda HR-V, Chevy Trax, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-3 limit their drivers to a single engine selection. The Mitsubishi's entry choice is more powerful than Honda's as well, and with 10 more horsepower than on tap in the Trax. Getting down to specifics, the Outlander Sport's 2.0-liter engine delivers 148 horsepower, 145 lb.-ft. of torque, and EPA grades of 24 mpg city/31 mpg highway/27 mpg combined with an available CVT; Mitsubishi's standard 5-speed manual is good for an EPA line of 23/29/25.

But for a more athletic driving experience—that barely misses a beat with fuel economy—the Outlander Sport has a 2.4-liter engine that can serve up 168 horsepower and 167 lb.-ft. of torque. Of the four rivals just mentioned, none can exceed 148 horses or 148 lb.-ft. of torque. On the other hand, despite that power-up for the Outlander Sport, EPA grades slip relatively slightly, to 23 mpg city/28 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.

Infotainment, Audio and Other Features

Yes, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport showcases many of the typical infotainment features that customers demand from modern-day crossovers, including an integrated navigation system with 3D mapping and a 7-inch high-def touchscreen, along with its proprietary FUSE hands-free link technology for voice control over numerous functions. Mitsubishi also updated the mid-range infotainment system for the Outlander Sport. The new setup boasts a 6.1-inch touchscreen—that doubles as the display for a rearview camera—along with digital HD Radio and 3-month complimentary subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Yet Mitsubishi's real advantage in this area is for serious audiophiles. While only one rival partners with a premium audio company—and competitors like the Honda only supply a 6-speaker, 180-watt setup—the Outlander Sport turns to a leader in the field for its range-topping sound system. That would be Rockford-Fosgate, which furnishes 710 watts of power, DTS Neural surround sound, and nine speakers that include a 10-inch dual-voice coil subwoofer for superior bass performance.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Exterior Design and Lighting

As previously indicated, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has been restyled, and the most obvious highlight outside is the aggressive and detailed "Dynamic Shield" front end.

The new design is inspired by that of the bigger Outlander and puts more emphasis on the width of the Outlander Sport, accentuating its ready-for-action stance and rugged good looks. The brand further fine-tunes the exterior with available mirror-mounted LED turn-signal indicators and new 18-inch wheel designs, and remember, those are the biggest standard rollers in the Outlander Sport's competitive set. Meanwhile, the standard set for the Chevy and Jeep are 16-inch steel wheels. That's not the only place that Mitsubishi comes up big, though. The Outlander Sport is 171.5 inches in length, providing a noticeably longer footprint than all competitors but the Subaru. At the most extreme, the Mitsubishi is about five inches longer than the Jeep Renegade.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Exterior Design and Lighting (continued)

Tempted to try leaving the pavement? The Outlander Sport has a leg up with 8.5 inches of ground clearance. That's two more inches of altitude than standard for the Chevy or Mazda, and the Jeep and Honda top out at 6.7 inches in their standard trim.

The GT model wears "super-wide" high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, for a distinctive lighting signature, and that's set off by available fog lights and LED daytime running lights. LED combination lights at the rear of the vehicle are standard. Finally, to meet customer demand for bold exterior finishes, the brand is offering three new ones for the 2016 Outlander Sport: Cool Silver, Diamond White Pearl and Quartz Brown.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Interior Design and Capacities

Designers next turned their attention to the cabin of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. For this round of enhancements, they introduced new, more upscale fabric for the standard cloth seats, and those seats, you'll recall, can be heated; Mitsubishi's rivals only provide heating for their more expensive leather seats, creating a warmly appreciated value for Outlander Sport owners. (Naturally, the Outlander Sport does offer leather seating, with the extra benefit of an 8t-way power-adjustable chair for the driver.)

Owners additionally get their hands on a new steering wheel, which happens to be the only standard leather-wrapped wheel among the Outlander Sport's direct competition. And if the actual layout of the Mitsubishi cockpit is rather restrained, it does garner more soft-touch materials and a restyled air-conditioning panel for 2016, and it rates well for versatility and cabin space. For instance, the Outlander Sport has more rear-seat headroom than either the Mazda CX-3 or Subaru Crosstrek, and more rear-seat legroom than all rivals save the Honda, so it's well suited for families. Family owners also will love the Mitsubishi's rear cargo hold, since it can fit 21.7 cubic feet of gear even with the back seats occupied—more than the Chevy, Jeep, or Mazda. Fold the rear seats down and the Outlander Sport can fit 49.5 cubic feet of cargo.

Safety Ratings and Technology

Blame it on the laws of physics, but so far, it's not been easy for subcompact crossovers to achieve award-winning safety scores. Thus, the Mazda CX-3 and Jeep Renegade have not been fully tested by the IIHS for its Top Safety Pick program, and the Honda HR-V doesn't have enough front-crash prevention tech to earn the IIHS honor. Neither does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, but because its body structure relies on the brand's "Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution" principles, the vehicle does pass the Top Safety Pick crashworthiness evaluations.

Additionally onboard to boost passenger protection are standard features such as seven airbags—including dual-stage airbags for the front row—and active stability control, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, and hill-start assistance That said, the only modern-day driver-assistance measure furnished by Mitsubishi is the Outlander Sport's available rear-vision camera system.

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America

Final Thoughts

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport faces some newer rivals in the subcompact crossover segment, yet it remains a worthwhile choice for drivers who don't necessarily want to be seen in the same vehicles as everybody else. A more traditional, SUV-like exterior also sets the Outlander Sport apart from the crowd, even as some competitors are starting to look more like standard hatchbacks than crossovers.

Technologies such as Rockford-Fosgate audio and Mitsubishi's own All-Wheel Control are impressive in this segment as well, and the automaker has fairly extensive warranty coverage to seal the deal, including: