The Mitsubishi Outlander has been one of the top-selling cars from the Japanese marquee brand. However, the US market does offer very stiff competition for this car. Seeing this, Mitsubishi has refreshed the Outlander for 2020 with some changes to the exteriors and the interiors.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander starts at $24,695 for the base ES 2WD and goes over $33,000 for the top-of-the-line GT trim. Specific trims get Mitsubishi’s AWD system while the GT trim gets a significantly powerful motor than the other trims.
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The US is a very important market for Mitsubishi. Compact SUVs are the best ways to make your presence felt in the US market. The 2020 Outlander is Mitsubishi’s tool for achieving this target and has hence given the 2020 version a whole set of feature upgrades and a facelift. The 2020 Outlander comes in a total of 4 trims and starts from $24,695 going over $33,195 for the top-of-the-line GT trim. It further gets 2 powertrains, a 2.4L 4-Cylinder engine, and a 3.0L V6 engine.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV front angle view
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV rear angle view
Features
7.8/10
"The Outlander is a lukewarm option in a boiling-hot compact-SUV market, with bland styling, a cheap-feeling interior, and an outdated infotainment system." - Car and Driver
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in a total of 4 trims and has an option for both FWD and AWD configurations for all trims. Barring the top of the Line GT, all other trims are powered by a 2.4L Inline 4 cylinder Motor that generates 166hp and 162lbs-ft of torque. The GT trim gets a 3.0L V6 Motor which generates a massive 224hp and 215lbs-ft of torque.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The base ES trim gets features like a big 7” Touchscreen Infotainment System, Dual Zone Climate Control and LED DRL’s, which makes it one of the most well-loaded SUVs in the segment.
Trims
ES
SE
SEL
GT
Price(2WD)
$24,695
$25,695
$27,095
-
Price(AWD)
$26,195
$27,695
$29,095
$33,195
Features
7 Passenger Seating
Adds/Upgrades these from “ES”
Adds/Upgrades these from “SE”
Adds/Upgrades these from “SEL”
18” Alloy Wheels
18” Two-Tone Alloy Wheels
Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with Homelink
Power Sunroof with Sunshade and Tilt feature
7” Touchscreen Infotainment with Bluetooth
7” Smartphone Link Display Audio System with Apple Car Play and Android Auto
Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist
9 Speaker 710W Rockford-Fosgate Music System
Dual Zone Auto Climate Control
SiriusXM Radio
Rear Cross traffic Alert
3.0L Engine and Paddle Shifters
LED DRL
FAST Key Passive Entry
Power Remote Tailgate
LED high and Low Beam Headlights
Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold
Fog Lights
Power Folding Side View Mirrors
Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters
Shark Fin Antenna
Turn Indicators on Side Mirrors
Leather Seating
LCD Color Multi-Information Display
Power Windows with Driver Controlled Auto Up/Down
Trim to Choose
The base 2 trims miss out on a lot of standard and safety features. Thus, we would suggest you buy the SEL trim as it packs in a lot of modern features like Apple Car Play and Android Auto along with the safety features. It comes at $27,095 as the starting price.
Engine and Performance
5.7/10
With three powertrains that include a class-exclusive PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) model, the Outlander has something for almost everyone—unless zippy acceleration and engine refinement are important, that is–Caranddriver.com
Engine and Transmission of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander comes with 2 Engine options. The ES, SE, and SEL Trims get a 2.4L Inline 4-Cylinder Naturally Aspirated Motor that belts out 166Hp at 6,000rpm and 162lbs-ft of torque at 4,200rpm. This Motor is paired to a CVT transmission that delivers power to the Front Wheels.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander basic SUV
This Engine feels very strained and runs out of juice when revved hard or pushed to the limits. The Pronounced Rubberband Effect from the CVT worsens the Case for this Engine and dampens the overall driving experience.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
MSRP
$25,690
$25,190
$25,345
$26,980
Engine
2.4L i4
2.0L I4 Intercooled TSI
1.5L I4 i-VTEC
2.4L I4
Transmission
Continuously variable automatic
8 Speed automatic
Continuously variable-speed automatic
6 Speed automatic
Horsepower (hp@RPM)
166 hp@ 6000 RPM
184hp@ 4400 RPM
190 hp@ 6400 RPM
185hp@ 6000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft@RPM)
162 ft-lbs@ 4200 RPM
221ft-lbs@ 1600 RPM
179 ft-lbs@ 3900 RPM
178ft-lbs@ 4000 RPM
For people wanting a more enthusiastic performer to have the option of going for the 3.0L V6 that belts out 224Hp at 6250rpm and 215lbs-ft at 3750rpm. This engine is mated to a 6 Speed electronic Transmission and is only available in the Top of the Line GT Trim.
Acceleration of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Dull 2.4L Inline 4 Engine does not do well in terms of outright acceleration from a standstill. Rivals like the 2020 Honda CR-V, and 2020 Kia Sorento offer a far better performance despite similar body structures and size.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
0-60 MPH (seconds)
9.2 sec
N/A
7.7 sec
7.3 sec
Quarter mile (seconds)
N/A
N/A
16 sec
N/A
Engine
2.4L i4
2.0L i4
2.4L I4 i-VTEC
2.4L I4
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3329 (lbs)
3847 (lbs)
3337 (lbs)
3810 (lbs)
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
6.5
7.7
N/A
N/A
In terms of Emissions though, the Naturally Aspirated Unit of the Mitsubishi ranks pretty high when it comes to the least emission figures emitted by a compact SUV. The 2020 Kia Sorento proves to be the fastest as it measures 0-60 MPH in 7.3 seconds.
Ride and Handling of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander comes with a reworked suspension and chassis design which, Mitsubishi designers say improves the riding experience inside the SUV. Steering offers a lot of feedback and inspires confidence while taking turns at high speeds. The Outlander isn’t the most comfortable SUV in its class but does offer adequate cushioning and bolstering for short trips. One of the highlights of the Outlander has to be its silent ride. The cabin offers good noise insulation from the Outside and the dull engine noise seeps in through only when it’s revving past 5000 RPM.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
In terms of handling, the Outlanders meet most expectations and do their best, to ensure confidence-inspiring handling on highways or city roads. The Tires offer good grip while cornering at decent speeds while they tend to offer a little less grip Off-Road.
Braking of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander has one of the smallest brake rotors in this comparison on the front. On the Rear, however, it’s the other way around. This means that the pressure to impact balance isn’t the best but it tends to provide good stopping power when needed.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
Brake Front (in.)
11.6
13.4
11.1
12.6
Brake Rear (in.)
11.9
11.8
10.2
12
60-0 MPH (ft.)
121 ft.
N/A
115 ft.
N/A
In terms of Brake Feel though, they tend to be spongy at times but they aren’t overly sensitive. In terms of stopping distances as well, the Mitsubishi stops from 60 MPH-0 MPH in 121ft, which is at par with the other SUVs in the segment.
Fuel Economy
7.9/10
"With its base engine, a front-wheel-drive Outlander gets 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is solid, if unspectacular, for the compact SUV class." - Cars.USNews
In the previous sections, we have seen that the 2.4L engine of the Mitsubishi Outlander isn’t the most refined or powerful engine to drive in the segment. Mitsubishi has however done this to improve one of the more important parameters of the SUV, the MPG figures. The Outlander offers a respectable 27 MPG to the Gallon on average. This, coupled with the massive 16.6-gallon fuel tank gives a combined average range of around 415 miles, which is one of the best in class.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
MPG (city)
25
20
28
22
MPG (highway)
30
27
34
29
MPG (combined)
27
23
30
25
Range (city/highway)
(miles)
415/498
337 / 444
364 / 448
414 / 545
Tank Capacity (gal)
16.6
15.3
14.0
18.8
The powerful 3.0L V6 motor, however, compromises the fuel efficiency in favor of a better performance. The V6 delivers 22 MPG on average and gives an overall range of 350 miles, which is still a respectable number.
Interior
7.0/10
While it isn't the most utilitarian car in its class, the Outlander does have some versatile features such as third-row seating and decent tow ratings–Edmunds.com
Seating and Comfort of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
One of the main highlights of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander is its seating ability. The Outlander can seat 7 People, as it comes in a 7 Seater configuration as standard. The 3rd Row however is best suited for kids as they are quite cramped and compact in terms of the area they offer.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
Passenger capacity
7
7
5
7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
40.6/56.4/40.9
39.6/57.0/40.2
40.1/57.9/41.3
39.5/59.1/44.1
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.4/56.0/37.3
38.9/55.8/38.7
39.2/55.6/40.4
39.3/58.0/39.4
In terms of comfort, the seats do a decent job of providing comfort to all the passengers in the cabin. We could, however, have loved a better cushioning of the seats and a higher seating layout. Passengers seating at the front and 2nd row, won’t complain much about the area on offer as it is at par with the rest of the competition.
Infotainment of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has updated the Infotainment System of the new Outlander and added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its existing Infotainment System as an option. A 7” Touchscreen System also comes as Standard across the Range.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander basic SUV infotainment screen
However, this is where the good points end. Intuitive and easy to use won’t be the first words that would come to your mind when you start using this infotainment system. They offer a considerable amount of Lag while usage and becomes even cumbersome while changing the audio settings or connecting other devices. The Following are some of the features that can be found in the Infotainment System of the Outlander:
Android Auto and Apple Car Play Compatibility
7” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
SiriusXM Radio with 3 Months Subscription
Bluetooth, Front, and Rear USB Ports
Rockford Fosgate Music System
Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices
Cargo Capacity of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
Comparing with other Crossovers in the Segment, the Outlander offers a good amount of storage space behind its third row and ranks among the very few Crossovers in the segment that can boast of this fact.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
10.3 cu.ft.
37.6 cu.ft.
39.2 cu.ft.
11.3 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo Area (ft.3)
63.3 cu.ft.
73.5 cu.ft.
75.8 cu.ft.
73.0 cu.ft.
From a common perspective, the Outlander offers around 34.2 cubic feet of space. This is among the highest in the segment and can take a lot of stuff with it. The 2020 Kia Sorento manages to beat the Outlander by a very small margin in terms of Cargo space but that isn’t a substantial loss.
Profile is the Outlander’s best angle, with a pleasing-if-anonymous crossover SUV shape–TheCarConnection.com
Design and Dimensions of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Exterior Design of the 2020 Outlander has seen some changes as compared to its previous year model. Mitsubishi has added a lot of chrome into the front fascia of the SUV that includes the front grill and some extent of the Bumper. 18” Alloy Wheels now come as standard. The rear end of the 2020 Outlander has also received some styling tweaks that include a redesigned bumper and a lot of chrome additions. The Mitsubishi Outlander ranks as one of the “Not So Small” compact crossovers in the segment.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander basic SUV
Spanning over 184 inches in length, the Outlander does make you feel it’s a present from the outside. The 67.3 inch height allows more room to be liberated inside in terms of the headroom on offer.
Models
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Kia Sorento
Curb weight (lbs.)
3329
3847
3337
3810
Length(in)
184.8
185.1
182.1
189.0
Width(in)
71.3
72.4
73.0
74.4
Height(in)
67.3
66.3
66.1
66.3
Ground clearance (in)
8.5
7.9
7.8
7.3
Wheelbase (in)
105.1
109.8
104.7
109.4
Track width (in) F/R
60.6/60.6
62.2/61.8
62.9/63.5
64.3/64.7
One of the standout points of the 2020 Outlander, is its superb 8.5 inches of ground clearance. Mitsubishi has ensured that the Outlander doesn’t suffer any hiccups while traversing the road less taken by providing good ground clearance. This allows the Outlander, to wade through rocky terrains easily and glide through big speed humps without much concern of scraping the underbelly of the compact crossover.
Exterior Features of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Exteriors of the Mitsubishi Outlander has a good set of features that matches the competition and better them in some areas. Some of the Exterior Features have been listed below.
"The Outlander is available with a host of high-tech assists that include automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. - car and Driver
The safety ratingof the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander comes stacked, with Safety equipment and features that are offered in other rivals as well. We do however feel that the Standard Safety Equipment on offer could have been higher as the rivals offer those as standard. In terms of safety rating, the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander gets a perfect five out of five-star rating from the federal authority, NHTSA. it further scores a four-star rating in the aspects of the frontal crash and four-star safety ratings. It again comes back with a perfect score in the aspect of Side crash safety ratings.
Some Safety features of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander include:
ABS with ESC and Driveline Traction Control
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Tire Pressure Warning System
Multi-View Camera System
Side Curtain, Front, and Thorax Airbags
Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist
LED Auto Headlamps
Forward Collision Mitigation
Adaptive Cruise Control
Competition
7.0/10
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2020 Honda CR-V
There is no denying the fact that the Honda CR-V is one of the Best SUVs in the segment. It flaunts an easy-to-understand infotainment system and best-in-class storage space. The CR-V additionally has a rich lodge that offers two lines of seating and has enough space to oblige grown-ups. The Outlander, however, offers the luxury of allowing 7 people to sit inside it with relative ease and comfort. What also sets Mitsubishi ahead is in terms of the standard equipment on offer, which is higher than CR-V.
2020 Honda CR-V
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2020 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the sportiest SUVs in the segment. The Mazda offers one of the best 2nd-row seating arrangements in the class as well. When it comes to the off-road ability, both the SUVs are nearly matched and have potent 4WD systems. The Outlander, however, trumps the CX-5 in terms of the creature comforts on offer as a Standard fitment, good gas mileage, and an ability to tour with 7 people on board.
2020 Mazda CX-5
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is the American answer to what is essentially a market dominated by European, Korean, and Japanese SUVs. The Equinox offers good fuel efficiency and way more space in the interior for both the 1st row and 2nd row of passengers. The Outlander, however, can seat 7 people in it and has a better equipment list in terms of creature comfort and safety as standard than the Chevy.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Final Verdict
With The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, the company has tried to woo customers with its all-new styling on the exteriors, features on offer, and gas mileage. The Outlander also offers one of the safest cabins in the class and has been a top safety pick for the IIHS for 2020 as well. The infotainment system and the base 2.4L engine are among the weakest points of the Outlander as other competitors offer a more powerful engine, with a lot more power and torque on tap. But with a good gas MPG figure, decent cargo space, stylish exteriors, and a standard 7 seater configuration, The Outlander certainly is one of the most practical SUVs in the segment.
Cons - Poor fit. Boring looks. Jittery engine noise.
Noisy ride Apart from the immense space that is offered on my Outlander, there isn't anything great or fancy about this car. The way cabin panels are fit is a total disaster as there are gaps and a few uneven fits of panels and the engine just keeps going like a chopper due to a lot of vibrations making the whole ride sound like I'm driving something that Paul Sr. from Orange County Choppers buil...
