Here is a indepth drive review from autoweek that everybody who is interested in the Mitsubishi Outlander should read:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130318/CARREVIEWS/130319820
the part I find the most interesting is the driving/steering part of the article that sheds a new light on the capabilities of the Outlander
Much of the 2014 Outlander's solid driving dynamics can be traced to a high-tensile steel diet, resulting in 220 lbs shed from last year's model, and a three-row crossover that weighs less than competitive two-row models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. From behind the wheel, improved chassis stiffness and a decent electric power steering system actually make the weight loss feel even more pronounced.
Lightness is crucial, though, considering the base 2014 Outlander powertrain is a 2.4-liter I-4 engine coupled to a CVT transmission. It's the same configuration found in the 2013 model, but valvetrain machinations squeeze more fuel economy from the design, and the CVT has been re-engineered to be less offensive. While the economy improvements are unmistakable, expected to be on the order of 2 mpg each city and highway, a hard stab at the throttle still results in unimpressive acceleration and loads of droning engine noise.
That said, it's not out of line with the experience found on many I-4 CVT vehicles these days from competitors such as Subaru and Nissan, so we suspect our objections aren't noticed by most of the crossover-buying public; in fact, during the kind of driving the average commuter experiences, the four-cylinder Outlander was perfectly adequate.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130318/CARREVIEWS/130319820
the part I find the most interesting is the driving/steering part of the article that sheds a new light on the capabilities of the Outlander
Much of the 2014 Outlander's solid driving dynamics can be traced to a high-tensile steel diet, resulting in 220 lbs shed from last year's model, and a three-row crossover that weighs less than competitive two-row models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. From behind the wheel, improved chassis stiffness and a decent electric power steering system actually make the weight loss feel even more pronounced.
Lightness is crucial, though, considering the base 2014 Outlander powertrain is a 2.4-liter I-4 engine coupled to a CVT transmission. It's the same configuration found in the 2013 model, but valvetrain machinations squeeze more fuel economy from the design, and the CVT has been re-engineered to be less offensive. While the economy improvements are unmistakable, expected to be on the order of 2 mpg each city and highway, a hard stab at the throttle still results in unimpressive acceleration and loads of droning engine noise.
That said, it's not out of line with the experience found on many I-4 CVT vehicles these days from competitors such as Subaru and Nissan, so we suspect our objections aren't noticed by most of the crossover-buying public; in fact, during the kind of driving the average commuter experiences, the four-cylinder Outlander was perfectly adequate.
