2005 Mitsubishi Outlander Review
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By Larry Edsall

Overview

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a car-based sport utility. We found the Outlander runs smooth and quiet, and feels rock steady at highway speeds. Similar in size and character to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Outlander has four doors and a roomy cargo area that's easily accessible. Like other small crossover sport utilities, the Mitsubishi Outlander offers elevated seating for better visibility.

The 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander is available with a five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel disc brakes, which improve fuel efficiency and performance for those few American buyers who still wish to shift for themselves. Thus equipped, the base Outlander LS is the quickest of three models. However, most Outlanders come with an automatic transmission.

Outlander is neither tall nor tippy and its compact size helps it negotiate the often-hostile asphalt jungle. All-wheel drive is available for improved traction and handling stability on snow and ice or gravel.

Taut and toned, the Mitsubishi styling is bolder and more aggressive than that of other small SUVs. Aggressive pricing makes the Outlander an alternative to the big name brands.

A new Limited model is available for 2005 that comes with heated leather seats, front side-impact airbags, heated outside mirrors, and body-colored fender flares and air dams.

Model Lineup

The 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander is available in three models: LS, XLS, and Limited. All come with the 160-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Most models come standard with an automatic, but the base models come with a five-speed manual. Each is available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Outlander LS ($17,799) and LS AWD ($19,899) come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. The LS trim includes air conditioning; cruise control; power windows and locks; power folding rearview mirrors; a height-adjustable steering wheel; height-adjustable driver's seat; a 140-watt, four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system; analog clock; center console with storage; two 12-volt accessory outlets; 60/40 split, folding and reclining back seat; intermittent windshield and rear window wipers, and 16-inch steel wheels. A cargo cover, floor mats, keyless entry, and roof rails come standard on the AWD model and are optional on the 2WD model ($550).

Outlander XLS 2WD ($20,679) and XLS AWD ($23,429) come standard with the automatic. XLS trim adds a rear spoiler, premium cloth seat fabric, extra speakers, whiteface gauges and clock, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, see-through headrests, a tubular roof rack and alloy wheels. Options for XLS 2WD include a Sun & Sound package ($1,400) with a 210-watt Infinity audio system with six-CD changer and sunroof.

The new Limited ($23,629) and Limited AWD ($25,479) adds heated leather seats, front side airbags, heated outside mirrors, and body-colored fender flares and air dams. Limited comes with the automatic.

Safety equipment includes three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions. Both front seats feature seatbelt pretensioner and force-limiter technology, which can help reduce injuries in an accident. So wear them. Also standard: child safety seat anchors. Anti-lock brakes are optional on the XLS and Limited models ($500); ABS helps the driver maintain control of the car in an emergency braking situation. Optional side arbags are designed to provide protection to the torsos of the driver and front passenger in a side impact. Curtain airbags are not available.