06/01/09

• Price27,199
• We like...Easy to drive, willing engine
• We don't...Top-spec model is expensive

Compact seven-seat off-roader also sells as a Citrn and a Peugeot. The Outlander is the original - but is it the best? If the Outlander looks familiar, don’t be surprised. Because you can also buy this car as the Citrn C-Crosser and the Peugeot 4007. Aside from badges, minor trim and styling differences, they’re the same car. Same engine, same gearbox, same body structure, same running gear.

Mitsubishi has a strong past in making off-roaders, something its partners here can’t claim. No surprise then that Mitsubishi builds all three cars. And, as you might expect knowing that, the Outlander is the best-looking of the three, and by some margin.

It’s an attractive car, chunky enough to resemble a full-on off-roader, yet compact enough to cut it as a proper alternative to an estate car or mid-sized MPV.

And, if you go for a top-flight Outlander model, like ours here, it ds pack seven seats as standard. The five in the front and mid rows are full size and leather trimmed, while the final pair swings out from the boot floor and is just cloth covered.

They’re a fiddle to erect for the first time, especially if you rely on the series of small diagrams pasted on the seat back but, once in place, they’re a reasonable perch for children. Adults won’t feel comfy unless the journey is short and, while the seats are in use, there’s no luggage space left to speak of. When they’re stowed, though, the luggage area is generous and easy to reach and use via a two-piece tailgate.

Sitting upfront or mid-row places you in a spacey and tall cabin finished in dark, plain colours. The dash and controls are logical, easy to work and car-like. There’s a big dial amid-seats that lets you pick two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, or 4wd with transmission lock. Otherwise the car sorts its transmission out for you. The six-speed gearbox is easy and slick, meanwhile.

For a tall-ish high-set vehicle it drives easily and handles tidily.To drive it is docile, reasonably easy to see out of and willing, while a rear-view camera eases reverse parking into tight spaces.

You can buy a new Outlander and see change from £20,000, which is fair value for an off-roader. But to get the powerful and quiet 2.2 diesel engine tested here, you must also go with this everything-included model that lists at £27,199. That’s steep for what you’re getting.

Mitsubishi also makes much of its eco-credentials. But while its 38mpg overall and 197g/km of CO2 are OK; they’re not the best you can get.

Should you buy one? Generous space, good levels of equipment and a sweet, undemanding drive means there’s plenty to like. And, should you ever need to take it off-road, it promises to prove capable, too. But the thing we can’t get past is that price. You’ll need to pay £27,000 to get the 2.2 engine in this car – if you spend less, you must make do with a 2.0 turbodiesel that, we’re told, is gruff and underpowered when the car is loaded up. The answer, we believe, is for Mitsubishi is to keep this motor but down-spec the car to bring it in at well under £25,000. That would be a great car.
As it is, it’s good – but expensive.

View new and used Outlanders on motors.co.uk

 

• Engines2.2 turbodiesel
• Power154bhp
• 0-60 mph9.9secs
• Economy38.7mpg
• CO2g/km194
• Insurance groups13E
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats7

Motors.co.uk value verdict: