Mitsubishi has a problem with the current formation. Unless you're looking for Lancer, your choice is limited to middle-size Galant sedan and Endeavor and Outlander crossover. Now, is contemplating seppuku Galant and Endeavor has not been completely redesigned since it first went on sale back in 2003. The Outlander, however, has something positive to offer. It can accommodate up to seven passengers (in emergencies), has been named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, and tops out at 28 miles per gallon on the highway.
Latest industry trends to be found in the New York auto show is the incredible shrinking crossovers, exemplified by this Juke Nissan and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Both vehicles are making their debut in North America, has a premiere at the Geneva show last month. (The Mitsubishi ASX known as RVR and elsewhere on the planet.)
Mitsubishi know because just two competitive vehicles to choose from is not enough to compete in the industry are eager to fill every niche, and the company appeared to focus on developing two single bright spot in his lineup. Lancer has spawned many variants, the latter being the Lancer Sportback, fun-to-push trains that do not step on the top-trim Lancer Evolution. The Outlander, meanwhile, recently gave a name to a smaller 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a five-passenger crossover are looking to make a mark in the crowded segment today.
Of the two, the Juke is a strange but funny looking one, while the Sport Outlander look bigger. We also have to say it was more handsome than the larger Outlander Mitsubishi already in the lineup. With an overall length of 169.1 inches, it's just above the foot shorter than big brother, even though the same wheelbases of 105.1 inches.
The Mitsu is supported by the Galant-based running gear, with engine, 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Now, that might sound a little weak in the jacked-up station wagon small, but Mitsubishi has tried to make this Sport Outlander light as possible. A base model with manual transmission weighs in at an estimated 3050 pounds, thanks to features like front fenders, plastic recycling and extensive use of high strength steel. Losing weight will be an important advance as a balance of performance cars to government fuel efficiency requirements. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport claims that the EPA numbers will get 31 mpg on the highway.
As usual Outlander, Sport is the front-wheel drive, with the all-wheel-drive is optional. This is a simple on-demand arrangement, transferring torque to the rear wheels when slip occurs at the front. The base ES model has a manual five-speed, a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters is optional at this level trims and standard on uplevel SE.
Unlike the Outlander, which has a plastic interior that would not look out of place on Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, Sport has a soft-touch materials in the doors and instrument panel, surprising given the expected starting price $ 19,000. Uplevel SE models have features such as automatic climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated front seats, and keyless entry system as standard. Options at this level monster trim including sunroof, navigation system with seven-inch screen, and 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system kicked. Sport Outlander will be sold in late 2010 as a model of 2011.
The Outlander Sport does have a few tricks up its sleeve besides being able to fake a gear shift. It handles surprisingly well for what's essentially a high-riding, tall-roof wagon. The brakes are quite responsive once you push past the first inch of light pedal travel, but over bumps, the tight Lancer-like suspension reveals some flaws in the Noise Vibration and Harshness department. There was some chatter inside the cabin of our test vehicle and, when rolled down a bit, the windows produced a slight rattle. We could chalk up the window rattle to press-car jitters, but the cabin chatter is probably there to stay.
Those problems aren't enough, however, to make us forget the sporty handling, accommodating interior and competitive pricing of the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC. Will it become Mitsubishi's third bright spot behind the Lancer and Outlander? The company is crowing that 1,290 units of the Outlander Sport were sold last month. That's peanuts compared to the Honda CR-V, which sold over 19,000 units, but does represent nearly a fifth of the entire brand's sales. That's remarkable for a model only a few months old, and tells us that Mitsubishi is giving buyers exactly what they want.
Latest industry trends to be found in the New York auto show is the incredible shrinking crossovers, exemplified by this Juke Nissan and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Both vehicles are making their debut in North America, has a premiere at the Geneva show last month. (The Mitsubishi ASX known as RVR and elsewhere on the planet.)
Mitsubishi know because just two competitive vehicles to choose from is not enough to compete in the industry are eager to fill every niche, and the company appeared to focus on developing two single bright spot in his lineup. Lancer has spawned many variants, the latter being the Lancer Sportback, fun-to-push trains that do not step on the top-trim Lancer Evolution. The Outlander, meanwhile, recently gave a name to a smaller 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a five-passenger crossover are looking to make a mark in the crowded segment today.
Of the two, the Juke is a strange but funny looking one, while the Sport Outlander look bigger. We also have to say it was more handsome than the larger Outlander Mitsubishi already in the lineup. With an overall length of 169.1 inches, it's just above the foot shorter than big brother, even though the same wheelbases of 105.1 inches.
The Mitsu is supported by the Galant-based running gear, with engine, 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Now, that might sound a little weak in the jacked-up station wagon small, but Mitsubishi has tried to make this Sport Outlander light as possible. A base model with manual transmission weighs in at an estimated 3050 pounds, thanks to features like front fenders, plastic recycling and extensive use of high strength steel. Losing weight will be an important advance as a balance of performance cars to government fuel efficiency requirements. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport claims that the EPA numbers will get 31 mpg on the highway.
As usual Outlander, Sport is the front-wheel drive, with the all-wheel-drive is optional. This is a simple on-demand arrangement, transferring torque to the rear wheels when slip occurs at the front. The base ES model has a manual five-speed, a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters is optional at this level trims and standard on uplevel SE.
Unlike the Outlander, which has a plastic interior that would not look out of place on Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, Sport has a soft-touch materials in the doors and instrument panel, surprising given the expected starting price $ 19,000. Uplevel SE models have features such as automatic climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated front seats, and keyless entry system as standard. Options at this level monster trim including sunroof, navigation system with seven-inch screen, and 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system kicked. Sport Outlander will be sold in late 2010 as a model of 2011.
The Outlander Sport does have a few tricks up its sleeve besides being able to fake a gear shift. It handles surprisingly well for what's essentially a high-riding, tall-roof wagon. The brakes are quite responsive once you push past the first inch of light pedal travel, but over bumps, the tight Lancer-like suspension reveals some flaws in the Noise Vibration and Harshness department. There was some chatter inside the cabin of our test vehicle and, when rolled down a bit, the windows produced a slight rattle. We could chalk up the window rattle to press-car jitters, but the cabin chatter is probably there to stay.
Those problems aren't enough, however, to make us forget the sporty handling, accommodating interior and competitive pricing of the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC. Will it become Mitsubishi's third bright spot behind the Lancer and Outlander? The company is crowing that 1,290 units of the Outlander Sport were sold last month. That's peanuts compared to the Honda CR-V, which sold over 19,000 units, but does represent nearly a fifth of the entire brand's sales. That's remarkable for a model only a few months old, and tells us that Mitsubishi is giving buyers exactly what they want.
