Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Modern makeover, sporty handling

For nearly a decade now, there has been no new sports car from Mitsubishi: a brand still known for its racing heritage and some of the most iconic models like the 3000GT, Eclipse and the Evolutions.

Now, the brand uses its experience with motorsports to make crossovers that can reliably carry families from point A to B. Once in a while, however, we stare at a few modern offerings attempting to be sporty.

Take the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for example, the latest offering from Mitsubishi Motors Bangladesh.

At first glance, the Outlander Sport instantly stands out, boasting a new T-shaped design language for its lights that sets itself apart from the rest of Mitsubishi's lineup.

The LED headlights have integrated design elements which look so sharp that it's easy to think someone went aftermarket shopping. Unfortunately, our sunny daytime drive didn't let us test their full potential, but the LED headlights did look quite bright.

The “T-shaped” tail lights complement the Outlander Sport’s angular panels. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

What ultimately underscores the sportiness though is this new Energetic Yellow Metallic paint. It is a shade we have never seen in a Mitsubishi before and the pictures don't do it justice.

Overall, the car looks tough and angular, mixing sharp lines and bold curves with metallic silver panels, colour-matched skid plates, and unpainted side skirts and wheel arches. If Bumblebee from Transformers was a tiny crossover, perhaps this would be it.

It sits on top of 18-inch Dunlop SportMaxx tyres wrapped around shiny five-spoke rims complementing the aggressive, yet approachable look.

The dashboard design cleverly tricks your mind into thinking the cabin is wider, creating a roomy interior. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Step inside, and the nods to Mitsubishi's sporty heritage are clear. The steering wheel instantly reminded the petrolhead in me of the Evolution X but in piano black and full of functional buttons. Behind it is an eight-inch digital cluster, modern and surprisingly adventure-ready with informational tools like a compass and barometer– typically found on 4x4 vehicles.

The dashboard got a fresh makeover, with the 12.3-inch infotainment system slapped across and positioned to integrate with the cluster. Apart from supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the user interface is slick, smooth, intuitive and a serious upgrade from what Mitsubishi offered in the past.

Soft-touch leather wraps around the handrests and steering wheel while the dashboard design,  particularly in white fabric (in Mitsubishi's 'Horizontal Axis' design) cleverly tricks your mind into thinking the cabin is wider than it is.

The front seats are bucket-like, sports car-inspired, with commendable lumbar support, perfect for long drives. While there are no heated or powered seats, you do get a cooling box under the armrest– a feature usually reserved for most premium models– and a wireless charging pad.

Although missing out on a sunroof, there's commendable rear legspace, rear AC vents and USB charging ports. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Unfortunately, the addition of a sunroof or moonroof was a big miss this time. To compensate for it, the rear passengers get plenty of legroom, large windows, enough space for three and rear AC vents with dual climate control.

To sum it up, an airy cabin for both the driver and the passengers.

Moreover, being a non-hybrid offering, it comes with a decently large boot space of 307 litres. This can be accessed through a power tailgate and is large enough to accommodate groceries for weekdays and the whole family's luggage for weekend getaways.

But how does the Outlander Sport drive? Well, it's a mixed bag—designed more for the economy than the thrill. The 1499cc MIVEC engine churns out 105 bhp and 141 Nm of torque, which in practice, feels more adequate.

Under the hood lies a 1499cc MIVEC engine producing 105 bhp. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Given Dhaka's congested streets, its power is enough for day-to-day city driving but won't knock your socks off. However, the MIVEC can at least churn out some torque at higher speeds while offering the great fuel economy that the brand is known for. The braking is responsive too which we tested with four passengers on board.

One interesting bit is its unique driving modes. Unlike regular models, its set of driving modes includes Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud. Mitsubishi promises that the Outlander Sport will do a decent job of tackling most surfaces, even when the power only goes to the front wheels. However, we couldn't test it during our short drive.

What Mitsubishi nailed though is the handling. The stiff suspension adds a bit of sportiness, or perhaps it's just new-car stiffness that will mellow out over time. Either way, it felt agile for a car this size, thanks to its 225mm wide tyres which further complement the stability.

The Active Yaw Control (AYC)—a feature introduced with the legendary Evolution IV for the World Rally Championship— now makes sure that even though you're in a crossover, you can still corner with confidence. Other driver assistance features include blind spot warning, parking sensors, cruise control, hill climb assist, active stability control and emergency stop.

While Mitsubishi hasn't officially dropped the price, we know it's coming in under Tk50 lakh. It's an option worth looking into for those who want something practical but with a dash of flair.

Available in six colours, the Energetic Yellow Metallic stands out the most and screams "look at me," in everyday traffic. And from our experience, people do!

Specifications:

Engine: 1499cc 4A91 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder 

Transmission: CVT

Power: 105 bhp at 6,000 rpm

Torque: 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm