| Week at the Wheel | Mitsubishi Outlander Juro |
Inside & Out:
The Outlander's styling is aging well and a few minor tweaks have kept it looking fresh. The Juro edition's black paint work and 18-inch alloys combine with tinted windows, roof rails and other styling addenda that lend it a real presence on the road (and off it) and give it the kerb appeal that so many SUV owners crave.
Swathes of black leather in the Juro lift the ambience of the Outlander's interior, lending it an added air of quality. Leather trim on the wheel and gear knob give it a quality garnish too. It's a great place to sit; comfortable and hugely spacious with good visibility. Accommodation-wise, occupants enjoy plenty of space in all directions and there is also the added flexibility on offer of a storable third row of seats that give it either seven seats or an absolutely huge load space, complete with tethering points.
Engine & Transmission:
Mitsubishi's 2.2-litre common-rail diesel engine, the familiar unit borrowed from the PSA Group and seen in various applications elsewhere, is carried forward unchanged, meaning the same impressive performance and manners. The Outlander is a big car, but the engine's 156bhp and 280lb.ft make light work of keeping it rolling and the selectable four-wheel drive helps to make sure that little or nothing can stop it - certainly most owners would never find it short of off-road capability. The engine is also quiet and refined and returns economy in the low-thirties mpg overall, which is a good result for a large SUV.
The most significant change in this area is the SST transmission, previously showcased in the
Lancer Evolution X. This application may be entirely different, but it is no less effective and the gearbox works very well when left to its own devices or, via a move of the gearlever or the flick of a paddle, as an automated manual. In both modes it shifts quickly and smoothly. With familiarisation most people would leave the gearbox in automatic mode, only using the paddles to pre-empt kick-down.
Ride & Handling:
On the road the Outlander flows with an agility and composure that belies its size. The generously shod 18-inch wheels ensure that grip levels are high and the body roll one may expect when looking at this SUV is well contained. The transmission's default mode is two-wheel drive, meaning that for the most part the Outlander is front-wheel drive, though the transmission will redirect power if it detects the need. Steering is by no means the last word in feel and delicacy but it is direct and well-weighted, giving the driver confidence to guide the Outlander accurately down whichever road you point it.
It's no hot-hatch but it is certainly comparable with the majority of family estates and it controls its mass well. It also rides with an uncommon composure and comfort, soaking up everything our roads could throw at it with aplomb.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
The Juro edition specification boosts the finish and equipment levels appreciably. The Outlander's cabin has never looked better; similarly the aesthetic external extras have moved the game on there too. Standard equipment brings the majority of features most families would ever need with things such as additional power outlets and all important safety equipment. Given all that's on offer, the asking price of around £27,000 is more than competitive for what remains a very capable and desirable car.
Overall:
Even now, some time after its introduction, the Mitsubishi Outlander is a favourite, thanks in the main to its excellent manners and user-friendliness. It remains Mitsubishi's finest offering, managing the blend between off-roader and family car very well indeed.
