Mitsubishi Outlander test drive since 2012 SUV

Test drive Mitsubishi Outlander: Do not harm!

A completely new appearance, an improved interior with new options and ... no technical changes ... Kolesa.ru portal in practice was versed in what the new Mitsubishi Outlander is the next generation model or deep restyling of the previous one?

For the first time, the new Outlander, by the way, is now without an additional XL index, I happened to see in the middle of summer. Not at the presentation and not on the test: on the auto truck that rode peacefully ahead of me in Scandinavia, loaded with white and red cars. The supply of crossovers to Russia, as a priority for Mitsubishi, the market began earlier than global sales started. And while the conveyor of the plant in Kaluga was not transferred to the release of a new generation, cars are coming to us directly from Japan. The contents of one of the auto trucks that stood on a traffic light were honored with my close attention.

If the photos are deceiving, then only a little bit. The new new Mitsubishi Outlander looks almost the same as in the pictures. And there was hope

What a sin to hide, after the spring premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, many reacted with great alend to the design of the new aulender. The forums of fans of the brand were not spied on the most positive responses and comparisons. He was called faceless, boring and immediately somehow found a resemblance to Subaru Impreza, Range Rover Evoque, Yo-Mobil and even Vazovskaya ten.

Moreover, first of all, they were dissatisfied with the changes in the form of a beginner were just the owners of the latest restyled X-Elya. How is it so? Indeed, in Mitsubishi they are even proud that when developing a new generation, they paid great attention to the wishes and critical remarks of the owners of former outlanders. But from these polls it turned out that not everyone likes the aggressive face borrowed from Lancer. Therefore, the third Outlander decided to make outwardly more calm and familiar.

First of all, the car lost a huge radiator lattice and evil headlights. Together with them, sharp edges of the body, embossed wheeled arches and branded triangular rear racks fell into the disgrace, which means almost everything that distinguished the crossover from the mass of such colleagues-competitors. The former harmony disappeared. The new Outlander was so -approved and became secade. Now he is no longer angry and does not frown, but only arrogantly looks at the world of widely placed eyes.

But the fact that he seemed to have grown up and heavier this is the fraud of vision. All the sizes of the car remained the same with the exception of the length. She was reduced. One centimeter. And with an extra weight there are no problems, no crossover lost almost a hundred kilograms. But the new style with smooth, rounded lines of a high body was only beneficial to its aerodynamic resistance decreased by three hundredths to 0.33. As a result, noise decreased at high speeds, and fuel consumption was reduced. And these are small engineering and design victories.

What always distinguished Mitsubishi interiors is the functionality and simplicity, bordering on asceticism. All this remained with the new outlander. True, the salon, for all that, became a little more interesting and richer, and the materials of the finish became softer and better. The monumental front panel with a noble varnish surface is a sample of minimalism: a two-zone (finally!) Climate control block, a large sensor screen, replacing a mass of buttons, and a lonely emergency gear. And nothing more. The order is like on the desktop. But the outlander is not able to give warmth and home comfort. He is too official. However, this callousness is characteristic of many cars with dark leather salons.

The driver’s adjusting ranges make it possible to accommodate even people with growth close to two meters. And the steering wheel on all versions finally received an adjustment on departure.

The trunk of the outlander, although he did not lose in volume (540 liters), but lost his folding side. The full-sized spare wheel is still attached from below, and the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe underground now occupies capacious niches for things. But for the initial versions they are not available, however, like the luggage curtain.
What I could not complain about was to free space. Its is a mass in the car, both in front and behind. In addition, the large trunk received roomy underground pantries for not the most necessary things (in one of these niches you can hide the luggage curtain). True, with the change of generations, Outlander lost a much more important and practical adaptation of the rear folding side, which greatly helped with loading. But in the top executions, an electric drive of the fifth door appeared. For Mitsubishi - an unprecedented luxury.

Despite many external changes, the technical part of Outlander remained true to himself. The gamut of engines has not changed at all. These are still two MIVEC gasoline engines with a volume of 2.0 (146 hp) and 2.4 liters (167 hp), which for some reason lost a pair of horsepower. However, this had little affected their abilities. Our test car was equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine and for the opening of the first hundred still spent three tenths less than its predecessor 10.5 seconds. Acceleration of a one and a half -ton outlander is not difficult, without a strain and plaintive walls of the motor and variator, which is now the only variant of the transmission.

A tall crossover is, of course, not a sports car and it is not its task to boast of dynamics, but on the winding suburban paths, oddly enough, it is like in its elements: passenger rolls and a clear trajectory even in steep turns. And the variator is not cheating: here the tachometer arrow almost reached the red 6500 rpm, and he honestly holds the gear chosen by long steering wheel switches. Stability on the road add even larger and wide 18-inch wheels in which our car was shod.

But on the broken asphalt, joy from them is already less: more or less large patches and road joints strive to make themselves felt. In general, a slightly modernized and reinforced Outlander suspension is loyal and forgives many types of pits and bumps, but grazes before the transverse tram tracks. Even passed at a small, seemingly safe speed, they made the whole car body shudder. And in an empty trunk, even something jumped.

The test is not at all a test if all -wheel drive is not tested on the crossover. That's just what the hell has he carried me to test him to the shore of the spill? Moreover, on a dubious path with the only follow from the wheels of the tractor. This is all he. Yes, this is Outlander and a seductive 4WD button.

A solid, pine needles, ended somehow suddenly. It became soft. The car was on the sand with all four wheels, but at the same time still continued to creep forward slowly, because we were driving under the hill. Here the outlander was also enough for the usual road regime 4WD ECO, involved in the default car. By the way, in this mode, contrary to its name, the car is content with the drive to the front axle.

And only when the front wheels cease to cope and begin to slip them to short -term help, the rear comes, for which the new generation of Haldex coupling is responsible. If you press the 4WD button again, then on the screen of the on -board computer the 4WD Auto indicator will light up here, the rear wheels will help the front, trying with all your might. Well, the next press also activates the electronic blocking of the 4WD Lock differential.

At some point, one front-end drive was not enough for a stranger, and he did not want to climb the sand dune. There is a reason, which means all transmission modes, one by one, you can honestly try. We went to the asphalt, we are already confidently and fully armed, with locks and even a reduced gear in the box, just in case. Outlander did not save. I got out.

Well, in the end? The new Outlander has changed. In almost everything for the better. It has become richer, more comfortable, a little more economical, even a little frozen and, of course, more expensive. And what about the appearance? To experiment with the appearance of successful cars, the lesson is quite dangerous. Not even an hour, you will harm and push off buyers. Therefore, in such cases, designers are careful, moving in small proven steps.

Or maybe perception was simply influenced by the aggressive appearance of the restyled X-El? If a new outlander to the generation appeared before, and the reaction would be different. In general, in the case of Japanese cars, their appearance is not so important. For example, Corolla or Camry will be sold well only because it is Toyota. So on Outlander the name is already working.

Mitsubishi Outlander prices and configurations
Outlander fell in love with us. Last year, he even became the best -selling Mitsubishi model in the Russian market. The new car has every chance to stay as popular, the more starting price for the third Outlander has not crossed the psychological notes of a million rubles.

The basic front -wheel drive crossover with a two -liter engine (146 hp) in the Inform version is estimated at 969,000 rubles. At the same time, the wealthy equipment cannot be called: there will be only frontal airbags, electric windows, single-zone climate control, a radio receiver, a steering wheel, and steel 16-inch wheels adjustable in height and departure.

Prices for cars with all -wheel drive start from 1,099,000 rubles. In the company with him, there are systems of course stability and help when touched to the hill. Such a crossover will be in a more equipped invite configuration and will receive the front seats and an already full audio system.

But for an outlander with a more powerful, 2.4-liter engine (167 hp) will have to be given at least 1,309,000 rubles. But here everything is already in an adult way: a two-zone climate control, seven pillows, a driver’s seats electric drive, fog lights, 18-inch cast discs, cruise control, light and rain sensors, a leather salon, a rear view camera. By the way, our test car was precisely in such an instyle performance. The richer only Ultimate (1,419,000 rubles) with xenon headlights, the navigation system and electric trunk doors.

The choice of flowers is small only six. In addition to the basic white there is black, orange-brown and gray variations. Three -liter engines? They promise that they will appear with us next year. But there is a pleasant trifle all the motors are designed for Euro-4 standards and accustomed to 92 gasoline.

The choice of the portal kolesa.ru
The basic two -liter engine for such a large car is frankly weak. The front -wheel drive version and the melancholy driver, he is likely to be suitable. But with all -wheel drive and well -tuned chassis, the outlander needs a stronger motor. And it is available only in the rather expensive version of Instyle for 1,309,000 rubles, and even with 18-inch discs, which we would love to replace with the sixteenths so comfortable.

Competitors Mitsubishi Outlander in Russia
Outlander competitors will be found in the lineup in almost every automaker. The choice here is great. By the way, the French combined brothers represented by the former Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 this time will not have a Japanese crossover.

Well, the closest Outlander rival is the popular Nissan X-Trail. Prices for a basic all -wheel drive car with a two -liter engine (141 hp) and a manual box start from 1,032,000 rubles. He has almost the widest selection of engines and equipment among all middle -class crossovers.

The front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 with the only two-liter engine (150 hp) and mechanics can be bought for 949,000 rubles. Full -wheel drive and machine will cost more from 1,155,000 rubles.

The price list on the Subaru Forester with a 2-liter engine (150 hp), mechanics and all-wheel drive begins with a mark of 1,088,000 rubles.

The Chevrolet Captiva restying after restyling is proposed only with a powerful 2.4-liter (167 hp) and all-wheel drive. Prices for the basic version with mechanics start from 1,050,000 rubles.

The basic Kia Sorento with front drive wheels, a 2.4 -liter engine (175 hp) and a manual box is estimated at 1,039,000 rubles. And the prices for all -wheel drive performance begin at 1,209,000 rubles.




 

A source: Wheel magazine [September 2012]