Friday, January 15, 2016
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B01
SPECIAL SECTION courtesy of
DrivewayCanada.ca |
Aggressive Outlander bucks the power trend The Mitsubishi Outlander is a bit of standard 18-inch wheels but they can an anomaly in the compact utility be ordered on lower trim levels as an market. option. Same for the power tailgate, While most manufacturers sell it is reserved for the top V6 GT trim. 4-cylinder or turbocharged 4-cylinder Inside versions in great number, it’s the The Outlander competes with the V6 equipped Outlander that is the Nissan Rogue and Kia Sorento for best seller here in Canada, totally buyers wanting a seven-passenger, against the current trend. It might three-row compact crossover. Unlike It is good to be that the previous V6 version the 4-cylinder Nissan, the Outlander see that Mitsubishi was more refined, quieter and had only offers seating for seven a conventional 6-speed automatic is moving back to passengers in the V6 models, so the transmission, compared to the rather Sorento is the closest competitor. a more aggressive loud, lacklustre 4-cylinder model. Both share roughly the same looking utility Well, for 2016 Mitsubishi wants dimensions too. The updates to the to build on the success of the V6 vehicle. back seats include a much easier model and try to sell more 4-cylinder to fold second row of seats and Zack Spencer versions by paying attention to the third row is still best for small styling, refinement and drivability. children and only for shorter trips. The other changes are the new thicker steering Looks wheel with chrome trim around the centre and The last update for the Outlander was just two new switches. The display audio screen has been years ago and it is good to see that Mitsubishi is updated to provide redundant tabs and switches moving back to a more aggressive looking utility around the outside; this treatment has also been vehicle. Not all small crossovers need to look used on navigation-equipped cars. Overall the cabin aggressive but the previous model was so devoid is well designed and roomy especially for the first of personality, it blended into the background. The two rows of seats. 4-cylinder models get a useful updated 2016 model comes with a whole new storage area under the rear cargo floor, the space front grille treatment, front pumper, even available used to store the third row seats in V6 equipped LED headlamps and tail lamps. Mitsubishi might be models. accused of borrowing from the recent Lexus front design; the bold chrome accents do look similar Drive to the Lexus Spindle grille. Along the lower part of Another reason that Canadians opted for the the doors is a metallic trim piece that helps break V6 models in the previous version was the much up the body. The top GT trim is the one that gets
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better driving experience, something that needed, and was, improved for 2016 4-cylinder trim levels. There is new acoustic glass to remove road and wind noise, more insulation between the cabin and the engine compartment and attention paid to the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Mitsubishi claims that the updates to the 4-cylinder transmission reduce friction and the wider range of available ratios helps this vehicle make a run to 100km/h one second faster than the previous 4-cylinder. The 166hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine has been carried over but the improvements made to this model have transformed this Outlander. It has gone from a rough and ready vehicle to a refined, quiet and pleasurable place to spend time. The 224hp 3.0L V6 is still the one to get if you want to tow up to 3500lbs. and the inclusion of a conventional 6-speed automatic makes driving a more predictable experience but this version felt heavier and didn’t handle nearly as well as the 4-cylinder. Verdict The 2016 Outlander starts $25,998 for a FWD 4-cylinder model. The base 4-cylinder AWD starts at $27,998. All V6 equipped Outlanders come standard with AWD and 7-passenger seating and the starting price is $31,198. The most expensive GT trim tops out at $38,498. Mitsubishi is introducing a new trim for the 2016 model year that includes a lot of the higher end features found in the V6 but offer it in a 4-cylinder model. It is the ES Touring with a power sunroof, 18-inch wheels, display audio, satellite radio and few other goodies and it starts just under $30,000. Mitsubishi hopes this model, along with
the other improvements to the vehicles refinement will win new buyers over. The Outlander competes with a vast field of small utility vehicle but the 7-pasenger V6 offer is what sets it apart; that and the impressive 10-year warranty. The Lowdown Power: 166hphp 2.4L or 224hp 3.0L V6 Fill-up: 9.9L/8.1L/100km (city/highway 4-cylinder) Sticker price: $25,998-$38,498 Write to zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
Safety Tip: Black ice is commonly found on roads with shaded areas, bridges and overpasses. If you drive over black ice and start to skid, ease off the accelerator— don’t brake—and look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. You may need to WATCH FOR repeat this manoeuvre. BLACK ICE
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