Mitsubishi’s Smallest Crossover
If you were plopped on earth, and didn’t know anything about cars, and got behind the wheel of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, you would say to yourself, “Yeah, not bad.” It actually isn’t bad, as it is attracting buyers with a low entry price, pleasant styling and an excellent warranty. But in the hot compact crossover segment, “not bad” isn’t even close enough to compete among some very stiff competition like the Toyota CH-R, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30, to name a few. The Outlander Sport doesn’t seem to be getting much consideration and many eyeballs from shoppers. Should it?
Drivetrain
The all-wheel control, not all-wheel drive, 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT is powered by a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine. Running on 87 octane gasoline, the engine puts out 168 horsepower (hp) and 167 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque, driving the front wheels through a constant velocity transmission (CVT). The EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg city/29 highway/25 combined is only one mpg less than if you opt for the base 2.0-liter engine that puts out 148 hp and 145 lb.-ft. torque. So if it is fuel economy you are seeking for your all-wheel drive crossover, going with the larger engine isn’t sacrificing much.
The engine and transmission combination was not as smooth as others in the category, and it was noisy–both engine and the CVT. In a few 0-to–60 runs using the Sport driving mode, we averaged a capable 8.0 seconds. Once up to freeway speeds, it cruised along nicely.
Driving Experience: On the Road
The Outlander Sport GT AWC, tipping the scales at 3,153 pounds, was an interesting driving experience. Usually in-town, say up to 35 mph, all cars feel pretty much the same, as in nothing notable to report. But the Outlander Sport, even driving at slower city speeds had a washy ride, where the mildest of corners gave a swaying feeling. Once on the open road at freeway speeds, things didn’t improve. The suspension and ride is sloppy, with even the smallest road imperfections or undulations being felt. The steering input could provide more accurate road feedback.
The Nexen 225/55/18 all-season tires gripped well, especially when putting the transmission in the AWD driving mode. This delivered power to all four wheels for the best traction. However, there was noticeable body roll when cornering, so don’t think the “Sport GT” badging means you will be driving a sporty crossover.
The Outlander Sport has a short turning radius, which was greatly appreciated when whipping a U-turn. Stopping was average for what we have tested in this category. There was no fading from the four-wheel disc ABS system, which was aided by the electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and stability and traction control.
Updated Exterior and Interior
The current Outlander Sport platform was launched in 2011, so in the automotive world it is getting on in years. For 2020, the Outlander Sport has a restyled exterior, making for its best quality. The bold front end with an updated grille, LED head, fog and daytime running lights sets the design stage. The sides have a distinct line running from the front doors to the rear LED tail lights that frame the lift gate. The nearly flat roof has rack rails, a spoiler and shark fin antenna. The 18-inch, black and chrome two-tone alloy wheels looked sharp against the optional Sunshine Orange Metallic paint.
The interior also has been updated, but remains basic in its design. The materials are mostly hard plastic with only a small amount of the desired soft touch materials found on the upper dash and door panels. If you can get over not being in the most modern interior, the dash layout is simple and clean, with easy-to-find controls. Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of volume and channel selecting radio knobs, and Mitsubishi didn’t disappoint. The climate control wheels were a different size than those of the radio, and were located away from the radio to eliminate any confusion. This may not seem like a big thing, but it is when reaching for these very different controls in the dark – regardless of your familiarity with the dash layout.
The simplicity of the dash layout made reading the gauges, with black faces and white numbers, easy on the eyes. The Outlander Sport’s Smart Link Display Audio system was supported by an 8.0-inch touch screen that was trimmed in gloss black with silver accents. The six-speaker system had a HD AM/FM/CD radio with USB ports with Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free telephone. SiriusXM, Apple Car Play and Android Auto completed the package. The audio system seemed dated in its look, but it worked quite well with quick transitions between stations and modes. The audio system surely will be updated soon, but this is a good reminder that fancy and extra-techie isn’t necessary for a good listening experience. Several of Mitsubishi’s larger competitors should heed this lesson.
Covered in black fabric and vinyl with red topstitching, the heated front seats were six-way manually adjustable for the driver and four-way for the passenger. While the seats are supportive, lumbar adjustments would be greatly appreciated. A comfortable driving position was possible by adjusting the leather-wrapped, tilt and telescopic steering wheel that had audio and telephone controls.
Other nice interior features are the rear seat folding armrest with cup holders, rear heater floor ducts, automatic climate control with micron filter, power windows and door locks, heated and power outside mirrors, center console with slide-adjustable arm rest, cargo tie-down hooks, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink and 12-volt accessory outlets. The black leather-covered steering wheel, gear shifter and emergency brake handle had contrasting red topstitching.
The Outlander Sport can seat three adults on the 60/40 split bench rear seat, but for longer trips two adults would be more comfortable, with comfort being a relative term. The rear seat was uncomfortable, having a too upright back, and a bottom needing more cushioning. The best use of the rear seat is to lay it flat and enjoy the 49.5 cubic inches of cargo space.
Safety
The 2020 Outlander Sport came with seven airbags and a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Some of the ADAS include lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning with lane change assist, and rear cross traffic alert. Additional technologies are rear park assist sensors, remote and passive keyless entry, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill start assist, remote engine start, and an anti-theft security alarm and anti-theft immobilizer.
Pricing and Warranties
Clean Fleet Report’s 2020 Outlander Sport GT AWC had a base price of $26,895. With $730 in options and $1,095 for the destination and handling fee, the MSRP came to $28,720.
In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the 2020 Outlander Sport received four stars (five stars is their highest rating), while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Outlander Sport Good and Superior ratings for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Anti-Corrosion – Seven years/100,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2020 Outlander Sport GT AWC
The Mitsubishi 2020 Outlander Sport, in its base trim level, has a starting price at $22,595. Offered with two engine options, the five models of ES, SP, SE, BE and GT slowly price walk to a very attractive $26,895 for the GT. A well-equipped small crossover, starting under $23,000, is something to note. For extra points, add-in the excellent warranty, ADAS technology, a driver-friendly interior and a fresh design.
The main drawback on the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is that it was introduced new in 2011 and, except for a few minor changes and styling upgrades, it is essentially the same vehicle. The result is a drivetrain not as refined as its competitors, fuel economy that is not among the best, and ride and handling that is sub-par for the subcompact crossover category.
The only way to know for sure, is for you to visit a Mitsubishi dealer. Test drive the Outlander Sport for yourself, as it may check off all your boxes.
Our hope is that Mitsubishi is getting ready to announce that an all-new Outlander Sport will be coming soon. In the fast changing compact crossover segment, 9+ years is a long time to be squeezing-out every last drop before launching a new model.
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Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class. We also feature those that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
