Mitsubishi Outlander GT makes right adjustments

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2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
GT S-AWC

ENGINE: 230-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: all-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 19 city/25 highway

BASE PRICE: $27,780

AS TESTED: $30,275

WEBSITE: mitsubishicars.com

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Updated: September 12, 2011 3:19PM

The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander gets an upgrade on its interior that adds significantly to the aggressive 2010 upgraded exterior design cues.

The Outlander is offered as either a five- or seven-passenger crossover layout and, with the optional GT trim package, there is little doubt this crossover has a bit of an attitude with lots of interior space and utility options.

My tester was the Outlander GT S-AWC (base price, $27,780) and it managed to make a statement from the get-go with its graphite gray-and-black exterior treatment and luscious 18-inch alloy wheels. The most prominent exterior design cue is the raked profile that runs from the pointed snout and grille all the way to the back hatch.

Inside the roomy cabin of the Outlander there is ample head- and legroom for the first two rows. If you opt for the third row, it will accommodate kids but not comfortably seat adults. The second row does slide forward to add to rear legroom and for additional utility storage.

Not all crossovers can claim big utility spaces, but my Outlander tester – with the 60/40 split/fold/tumble rear seats – offered up more than 73 cubic feet of storage space. Adding to the versatility, according to Mitsubishi, the fold-down tailgate will support more than 400 pounds.

The best news about the 2011 interior is the improved soft-touch materials that are featured on the dash, steering wheel and armrests. For this segment of vehicle, in fact for most vehicles these days, the advent of the softer-feel materials and their use throughout the cabin instantly improves any interior.

The Outlander gets a high-tech lift with the new LCD screen on the center of the dash, which communicated the necessary climate and audio information. Speaking of audio, my tester had the sun and sound package ($1,700), which included a Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker premium audio system that could have easily played for three Outlanders, Sirius satellite radio and a huge power glass sunroof that helped open up the cabin and make the interior feel even larger.

Mitsubishi offers two engines. The base four-cylinder is standard on the Outlander ES and SE with the optional continuously variable automatic transmission. The Outlander XLS and GT models come with a 3.0-liter V-6 (230 horsepower) mated to a slick six-speed automatic with paddle controls mounted on the steering wheel.

The SE version can be trimmed from front-drive to four-wheel drive with a locking center differential. The GT version uses the all-wheel-drive system of the Lancer Evolution and Ralliart models and has a knob-controlled choice of tarmac, snow and lock traction modes. With its active front differential and electronically controlled center diff, the GT has nearly seamless distribution of torque between the wheels.

My GT S-AWC model provided more than adequate acceleration and decent fuel economy (19/25) during my weeklong test. I found some slight body roll annoying in several performance maneuvers and on cloverleaf entry and exits. Overall, it is firm and comfortable for short- and long-distance trips.

The Mitsubishi Outlander GT includes convenience options such as leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, bi-xenon HID headlamps and that amazing 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, which is a steal in the sun and sound package.

A competent crossover landing just north of $30,000 ($30,275) with AWD and the unique GT exterior looks has to be considered by any buyer who is looking for a unique statement and a vehicle that cannot be mistaken as anything else on the road.