Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi is proud to announce the birth of the second-generation Outlander, its family car/off-road crossover and an all-new model that brings Mitsubishi into the 21st Century leisure motoring market. Leading the way with its off-road technology - 10- times Paris-Dakar rally winning technology no less – Mitsubishi is going to leave competing models behind (as well as the little-known and uninteresting outgoing Outlander).

Is it what the consumer wants? Well, for sure, it is the nearest thing to a car a serious off-roader can get. On the road it is 70 per cent car – comfortable, quiet ride. Handles really well, although you wouldn’t throw it around too much, because it is higher than your average saloon. The driving position is great because you have an advantage over most other hatchbacks, without towering over everyone.

The benefit of 4WD is undisputed, particularly safetywise, and particularly considering the cold wet weather we’ve had just lately. Outlander has a marginal thirst over the family saloon, and has an equivalent CO2 spewfactor of a Mondeo estate at 183 g/km.

Stylish and compact, the Outlander can carry seven passengers, which puts it into a similar league as the Volvo XC90 and some seven-seat MPVs. The two rear-most seats fold away into the boot floor and are ideal for occasional transportation of small people. It’s great to have that flexibility, and not many SUVs in this price range offer such. I’d say the previous Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 was probably the nearest, yet had not the same green credentials.

Off-road

I did have the opportunity to put Outlander through some serious off-road paces courtesy of the Army and its local training grounds for its own people. The well-rutted and worn tracks and terrain north of Tidworth – the Army’s playground – has proved a sticky ending for many an old Range Rover and army lorry, and almost Jeremy Clarkson.

A Mitsubishi crew was welcomed with open – if not fully loaded – arms to Salisbury Plain to prove the capabilities of the latest generation of the Japanese marque’s feisty four-wheel drive technology.

I can honestly say the Outlander is also 70 per cent off-roader. Despite its superb on-road handling, premium quality trim and car-like on-road behaviour, the Outlander performed feats of off-road ability even the Freelander would be proud of.

Even the professional off-road drivers were impressed as they took these brand spanking new cars over ground that I would be scared to. At times opposing wheels would be off the ground and the other two would spin momentarily as the car was pulled back to firm ground to resume its muddy journey.

Water proved no obstacle and thick mud and rocky ground did little to destabilise the Outlander. By the time it was my turn to take the wheel, I was a nervous wreck with my heart in my mouth. With me in control, the Outlander scrambled, gripped, and tossed about the unstable ground.

Capabilities aside, this is a fresh new look for Mitsubishi and a whole new market to attract. The car maker shouldn’t have any trouble poaching customers from the likes of Toyota and Honda.

If you like loud music on the go, the Elegance-standard fit Rockford Fosgate 650W nine-speaker premium audio system will undoubtedly stir you. I was treated to a ‘blast’ and was quite literally blown away by the sound quality. It was better than my hi-fi at home and cabin gave perfect acoustics for a variety of tunes, from drum and base, to Queen, to Louis Armstrong. You could close your eyes and Freddie was there in the car with you – it was truly awesome.

In summary: It’s an all-new wagon based on Mitsubishi’s first ever ‘global’ platform, developed in conjunction with Daimler Chrysler; a Passat-sized car with premium quality trim, seven-seat capability, superb standard equipment and Mitsubishi’s rally-inspired off-road system, which does take the car off the beaten track to some considerable lengths.

Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 16v DI-D Elegance

0-62mph: 10.8 sec

Top speed: 116 mph

Max power: 138bhp @ 4,000 rpm

Max torque: 310 Nm @ 1,750 rpm

Urban economy: 32.1 mpg

Extra urban: 47.9 mpg

Combined: 40.9 mpg

CO2 emissions: 183 g/km

Towing capacity: 2,000 kg

Insurance group: 12E (Elegance)

From £19,449-£21,999-£24,749