TEST – Mitsubishi Outlander (2024): snow plow or ice breaker?

Outside of the Mitsubishi faithful, the Outlander slowly fell into obscurity. The Japanese SUV, which disappeared from Europe three years ago, is preparing its return here at the end of 2024, taking care to cultivate the DNA of the model: a PHEV hybrid, and a top wheel drive. First contact, with a meter of ice under the tires.

The Arctic Circle is not far from our playground for the day, in Karelia, on the borders of Finnish Lapland and the Russian border. However, the fourth generation of Mitsubishi Outlander is not completely new (even if the thermometer still drops to -10° in the early morning at the beginning of spring). It appeared at the end of 2021, and has not yet found it necessary to cross the Atlantic. North America remains its number one market. still, The original Outlander still made a name for itself in Europe: the first PHEV hybrid SUV, which for a long time has remained the best-selling model with this technology in our country. That it has disappeared from the environment is a mystery.

So Outlander will do its thing returning to European soil after a three-year absence, to oversee the reduced range of Mitsubishi for several years: apart from the Space Star city car and the unusual Eclipse Cross, the only “real” Mitsubishis present in the French range, the family is represented by Colt and ASX, clones of Renault Clio and Captur! Industrial policy forces Mitsubishi to be part of the Renault – Nissan Alliance. It’s not obvious, but this “new” Outlander also shares a good part of its platform with the Nissan X-Trail and … Renault Espace of the sixth generation.

Mitsubishi Outlander: life on board

The Outlander that we discover today already has three years of work under the clock. Europe will immediately qualify for its mid-term reforms. Mitsubishi remains tight-lipped on this topic, but assures us that the modified versions will remain close to the current version. First observation, The overall style is more American inspired than its predecessor : chrome in abundance (Eclipse Cross style), large terrace… There are no interesting things to report, yet we are dealing with an SUV that is very typical, in its silhouette and its proportions. The dimensions have not changed much, increasing by almost 2 cm in length (4.71 m), and 4 cm in width (1.86 m).

On board, the progress is even more surprising. We forget the date order and severity of the previous one, make way smart furnishings, elegant furnishings and the most exquisite finishes. Here again, Mitsubishi has remained classic … The style is reminiscent of the latest Nissan X-Trail (it is rather flattering), as is the ergonomics. The good news: still the actual buttons for ventilation, driving modes (via the central dial), and instruments (digital) are clear and legible. The central screen is not large and a little dated for a modern SUV of this size (9.1″). At least we avoid large invasive slabs, the system is well laid out and rather easy to approach. The menu is very clear, the response is correct. But as always, you’ll have to get used to it Many menus and settings, made complicated by a variety of modes of operation management and tractionhybrid, or even regenerative braking.

Like any good family SUV, the Outlander knows how to entertain. The rear seats are not lacking in space, the upholstery is comfortable (and almost luxurious in appearance, installed on our test model), The back seat is sliding and the backrest can be adjusted in three parts. The third row (in one piece, it cannot be divided) will however be used for maintenance, nothing more: it is difficult to fit well and the space is tight, unless you move the 2nd row forward as much as possible… Which is then reduced to a minimum level. We can’t have everything.

On the stem side, The amount is generous on paper (872 l up, according to American figures), but probably does not take into account the folded bench seat, which directly condemns both lower parts. The 7-seater version is aimed more at families who have a high demand. However, it will allow the Outlander to be among the 7-seat PHEV SUVs offered in Europe. Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are almost the only representatives so far.

Behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi Outlander: Renault – Nissan genes, well hidden

Mitsubishi bought with its partners for this fourth Outlander, replacing the The CMF C/D platform for the aforementioned Espace and X-Trail. A few smart accessories in the passenger compartment are shared with the latter, but the visual similarities end there. Technically, if the ground connection elements are common, the mechanical part is an in-house creation: for good reason, Mitsubishi has renewed it. pre-release plug-in hybrid engine. Properly improved in passing, of course, always with a Large 2.4 l atmospheric 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle for fuel. This 133 hp engine is associated with two electric motors, respectively 116 and 136 hp front / rear. We have a total combined power of 252 hp, all of which enables us to use all electricity for approximately 60 km, thanks to 20 kWh battery (previously 13.8 kWh). The European version should be able to reach 100 km, with a battery that is basically a little bigger. Nothing official yet.

In this first trip on a frozen lake (no danger, nothing moves when moving its 2.1 tons over 1 meter of ice thickness), it is impossible to improve the volume or energy performance of this proven hybrid. The handling is fundamentally unchanged: acceleration and relaunch are strong despite the heavy weight (332 Nm of maximum torque), but not great. 7.5 s from 0 to 100 km / h ok: not bad. We prefer to store smooth walking, which contributes to general pleasure, rather than stability. In any case, by keeping a light foot and hitting the hills gradually … otherwise, the feeling of the engine racing, like the CVT gearbox (which is not the case here, since the transmission does not have a single report) annoying. Fortunately, the insulation seemed to be successful.

Note that the architecture of this procedure is quite specific: The 4-cylinder acts as a generator, below 70 km / h, and does not drive the wheels directly. Furthermore, it is connected to the front wheels and works like a conventional parallel hybrid, unlike the X-Trail which remains a series hybrid where fuel is always separated from the transmission. In broad terms, the principle is similar to the latest production Honda, Civic or ZR-V.

Mitsubishi Outlander: a complex 4×4 system

As all-wheel drive is a Mitsubishi specialty, we expect the new Outlander to be quite talented in off-road situations. remember that ground clearance seems a little lower, but remains generous (20 cm). Crashing and engaging in hard grade transfers is not his favorite sport however (that was the job of the now defunct Pajero).

No crossing this time, but a 100% snow and ice course to highlight advanced management of S-AWC (Advanced All-Wheel Control, internal 4-wheel system). Seven driving modes are available, more or less permitting : in “Snow”, the torque is directed gradually and quickly reduces the throttle, in the event of re-acceleration with less force or earlier. In “Mud”, the system is more conciliatory but remains directed … safety, above all. One of the advantages of an all-wheel drive of this type, provided by two electric motors (no transmission shaft), is found above all in the best and most responsive management of the torque distribution. The electric system is inherently faster than mechanical equivalents such as Haldex.

All that’s left is to get it on the road, on pavement this time. This first stage of the test already allows us to see the pleasant characteristics of the road: the feeling is erased (such as unstable steering), and the comfort of the ride goes hand in hand with a stable and calm demeanor (slightly smooth in suspension, parallel and whole). There are no surprises behind the wheel of this Outlander, and the European version, modified separately, should show the same situation.