The Mitsubishi seats four comfortably but is a tight fit for five. The Kia Sportage wedges between the new-for-2021 Seltos and the larger Sorento in Kia’s SUV-crowded lineup. Compared to its siblings, the Sportage skews a shade, well, sportier, with handling that’s more engaging than the segment norm. The Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 are two of our highest-rated choices in the crowded compact SUV class.
Cruise control and automatic climate control are standard on all trims. There’s a micron air-filtration system to keep everyone breathing easier. Multiple USB ports allow for charging of one’s phone or tablet.
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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs. 2022 Volkswagen Taos Analysis
We also don’t dislike the CVT, which in Sport mode actually mimics shifting via paddles. There’s also a drive-mode selector so the Outlander can be tuned for conditions such as gravel, snow, and mud. The Sorento comes with Kia’s Drive Wise, a set of standard safety features that includes automatic emergency braking, rear occupant alert, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Junction turn and cyclist detection, the Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous system, surround-view monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and more are available as options on higher trims.
Both the base and turbo engines are paired to 8-speed automatic transmissions, with either front- or all-wheel drive. Upper trims get such things as a suede-trimmed interior, a multiview camera, navigation, and more safety features. The top SEL trim is downright luxurious, with full leather seating, heated rear seats, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Both cars also use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that routes power through a continuously variable automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all four.
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This is an aspect that’s easily overlooked until there’s a big item to stow in the cargo area. This aperture, 51.3 inches wide, has a 6-inch advantage over the nearest rival. The 2022 Subaru Forester isn’t just any compact crossover — it’s an award winner. Mitsubishi also assured us that the entirety of the exterior and interior design is unique to Mitsubishi, and none of the cosmetic bits you see are shared with the Rogue.
There are MacPherson struts with a stabilizer bar up front and a multi-link suspension with another stabilizer bar in the rear. The brakes are 4-wheel disc ABS models, and there’s Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist here as well. Optional all-wheel drive; available hybrids; 3-row seating; warranties.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The basic coverage is for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The anti-corrosion coverage is good for 7 years or 100,000 miles. A limited powertrain warranty is extended for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Finally, Mitsubishi offers roadside assistance for 5 years and unlimited miles on new purchases of the 2022 Outlander Sport.
The Outlander’s new touchscreen that rises above the dashboard, its gear selector, and its HVAC controls look to be pretty much identical to the Rogue’s. That said, they’re different enough that you won’t be mistaking an Outlander for a Rogue or vice versa. The two cars are also built in different factories, with the Mitsubishi coming from that automaker’s Japanese facility. However, despite being mechanically similar, Mitsubishi told us the tuning for the new Outlander is specific to that car.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport lacks sport of any kind.
However, stepping up to the LE trim level unlocks some features that are needed to make this Mitsubishi feel a little more like a new car rather than an old one. The most notable of these is the 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other content that comes with the upgrade includes black exterior accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and red stitching inside. Shoppers who want all-wheel drive can add it for an extra $1550.
The driver must remain engaged with the driving task and monitor the environment at all times. It might be easy to think of automakers sharing bits as a bad thing—or a kind of “gotcha!” worth jeering at. Just look at the ongoing dustup among BMW and Toyota fans over the Z4 roadster and new Supra sports car being essentially the same. But joint development between two or more automakers can be very good for those brands and buyers alike. Look at the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, which soon will be re-upped for a second generation; without collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, neither sports car would exist.
Forester vs. Outlander: Off-Road or Third Row?
The Kia Sorento was fully redesigned for 2021 and is highly competitive, straddling the compact and midsize segments and boating 3-rows of seating. It offers generous standard safety technology, a modern well-appointed interior, and enough power for family-hauling duty. A firm ride and a choice of 2.0- or 2.4-liter engines, both with continuously variable transmissions, are solid but do little to invite spirited driving. The Outlander Sport base engine makes less horsepower and falls short in fuel economy. Again, you’ll probably want to step up to the more-powerful optional engine.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander also provides 3-row seating in an affordable package. Its confident all-wheel-drive system can get you through any kind of weather. The inside of the 2022 Kia Sorento is nicely appointed with optional second-row captain’s chairs, open wood trim, and embossed diamond-quilted leather seats.
Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
See retailer for limited warranty and roadside assistance terms and conditions. ⁴ All coverage terms are from the original in-service date, and are applicable only to the original owner of new, retailed models purchased from an authorized Mitsubishi retailer. At a little under $23,000, the base Outlander Sport S is a relatively inexpensive way into a new crossover, but it’s not a lavish ride. Its steel wheels wear chintz hubcaps, though automatic climate control and basic crash-avoidance tech are nice to have. The IIHS rated it mostly “Good” except for an “Acceptable” rating for front collisions on the driver’s side. The NHTSA also found fault with protection in front crash tests, sinking the small crossover to an uncommon four-star rating.
If you want a bigger car, go with the previous Gen outlander, a 2020 , because the 4th Gen is all Nissan, and they are common to fail, especially the CVT. I’m a 25,000 mile per year driver, so I just pay cash and try to keep them as long as possible. I know that the vehicles are drastically different — a bit of an understatement! Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly.
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The 2.0 S and 2.0 ES trim levels get Remote Keyless Entry. There’s also a rear-view camera to assist with backing out of parking spots. The base trim level of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is simply called the 2.0 S. The base trim level is only available with 2-wheel drive , while the ES offers AWD. Both versions of the Outlander Sport come equipped with the same engine and transmission system.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The PHEV, meanwhile, has an estimated 261 horsepower and offers 32 miles of electric range. Only the top GT trim comes with power front seats covered in leather, and the limited 6-way adjustments on the lesser trims leave more to be desired the longer the trip. The leather-wrapped steering wheel on LE and above grades is a nice touch, though. The Outlander Sport is a practical and budget-friendly car.
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