Mitsubishi Outlander test drive since 2007 SUV

Million - in mud

If you decide to spend honestly earned or taken on credit a million on the purchase of a sports and utilitarian car, you will have to consider many options. You can, for example, purchase an elegant Mitsubishi Outlander XL. Get very aggressive to the appearance of Dodge Nitro. Or become the owner of a full -sized Ssangyong Rexton.
The choice, of course, is not easy. Each of the applicants has a lot of advantages. Let's say Outlander is not only attractive in appearance (although the design is a matter of taste), but also very comfortable and functional. And Nitro takes not only a brutal exterior. The American assets have impressive dimensions, a spacious interior, an original retractable pallet in the trunk and, finally, the possibility of choosing between gasoline and diesel versions. Take a think about it.
However, all these are flowers. Here, the buyer of the flagship Ssangyong has to, in fact, choose between fundamentally different machines: after all, the type of all -wheel drive and even suspension design must be given preference not only to one or another engine and transmission! For example, in the simplest Rexton 2.7 XDI (165 hp), the front bridge is connected rigidly (the so-called Part-Time). The same diesel, but with a machine gun, is already equipped with a system of automatically connected all -wheel drive (TOD). And the advanced diesel engine of the same volume, but developing 186 hp, and a 3.2-liter 220-horsepower engine (both versions are available only with ACP-5) are offered with constant full-wheel drive (AWD). The same vinaigrette in the chassis. Cheap modifications are sold with an unreasonable rear bridge, and expensive with an independent 8-crap suspension. Needless to say, on the road (and outside her), these seemingly identical Rexton will behave completely differently. However, Rexton is a unique phenomenon. Against his background, rivals look narrow specialists. Say, the ideology of the Nitro is typically off -road: a supporting frame, an uncertain rear bridge, rigidly connected front wheels. (In fact, this model is a variation on the theme of Jeep Cherokee of the last generation, only with a few reduced transmission.) The base engine 205-horsepower V-shaped six with a volume of 3.7 liters, but a 2.8-liter 177-horsepower turbodiesel is also available. Both engines are combined with machine guns (4- and 5-speed, respectively).
Until recently, fans of Mitsubishi had to be content with the only power unit with a 3-liter 220-horsepower V6 gasoline V6 in tandem with a 6-speed automatic transmission, choosing only the level of configuration.
Last autumn there was an alternative to the World Motor (2.4 liters, 170 hp plus variator or μP-5), created in the Commonwealth with the Hyundai Motor and then still undamosed Daimlerchrysler. Cars are equipped with a multi-mode transmission of the Multi-Elect 4WD, which allows to automatically change the car drive mode, and the M-ASTC passage system, which includes the stabilization of the course sustainability and the anti-ministerial system. The suspension of all wheels, of course, is independent. There is no question of any insoluble bridges. In general, Outlander XL is a typical crossover, originally imprisoned under the asphalt and allowing some liberties on off-road.
But let's move on to the privacy. There are no serious ergonomic claims to our heroes. It is possible to put them only on the lack of adjustment of the steering wheel by departure, but thanks to the wide range of settings of the driver's seat, a person can comfortably get a man of almost any height and complexion. The back is also not crowded.
And the ability to throw back the back of the seat allows you to make even distant trips comfortable. In Mitsubishi, the second row chairs are equipped with longitudinal adjustment, so that the most tall driver will always have enough space for passenger legs. Although the luggage compartment capacity, of course, will decrease (depending on the position of the rear seats, a useful volume may vary by more than 100 liters). However, the owner of Outlander XL is unlikely to have thought to complain about the lack of space in the trunk of almost 1700 liters with folded rear seats. The praise of the simplicity of transformation of the salon (literally one touch) and divided into two parts horizontally the fifth door, which greatly simplifies the loading process, deserve.
The Nitro door rises only whole. However, in terms of luggage compartment, Dodge even slightly exceeds the Japanese. The rear seat folds (in a non -standard proportion of 65:35) to the level of the trunk floor, forming impressive sizes and litting (almost 2000 l) a cargo site or, if you like, a berth.
Sleeping in the trunk of the Korean may not be so convenient (it is not possible during the transformation). But if you fold the seats of the second row, pressing them to the backs of the front seats, it seems that you can push the elephant into the Rexton salon. Note that it is very convenient to load a large -sized lug on a perfectly even low platform. Well, with small things it’s easier: it is not necessary to open the large fifth door to raise the rear window.
In general, all three SUVs are quite comfortable and spacious. And on the go, they are unlikely to disappoint. Although here, of course, there are nuances caused by constructive features and the ratio of engine power and the mass of the car. Most of the horses per kilogram of Outlander 3.0. He will win the parallel start.
Especially if the wheels are not dry asphalt, but, say, snow porridge. Mitsubishi electronics operate in such conditions very quickly. He copes well with the slippery coating and Rexton, armed with TOD and AWD systems. But in the basic version, the Korean, like Nitro, feels on the ice like that cow. I slightly crossed the gas and the rear drive wheels strive to deploy the car across the road. Even ESP does not save. Connecting the front bridge will help at the start, but is unlikely to improve handling: in a critical situation, the car will slide with all the wheels. Well, a hard all -wheel drive is good only for the release of a car from mud or snow captivity. For high -speed driving on asphalt, it is not suitable for a priori
These are in general terms our heroes today. It remains only to understand what, in addition to quite spacious bodies and powerful engines, you can count on by giving the seller a blood million. The worst of all is equipped with comfortable Nitro options. The real ascet is neither climate control (only air conditioning), nor rain and light sensors. There is not even heating the seats. At the same time, the American is asked for a lot: the basic version will cost 1,058,400 rubles.
Buying Japanese and Korean SUV is less invoice. To become the owner of Outlander XL 2.4 CVT in the maximum intention configuration, including everything that wants, up to the skin, hatch and audio system Rockford, can be for 1,018,132 rubles. (In the simplest performance, the machine with mechanics costs 892 172 rubles). And a very decent equipped Rexton 2.7 XDI MT also fits into the desired million, making it easier to pocket for only 970,000 rubles.
Reacton crash test
Despite the rather respectable market age of this SUV, there was no information about independent crash tests of the model. In any case, authoritative experts of EURONCAP and NHTSA Korean dragon did not experience strength. Nothing is known about the tests of cars assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny. In general, when buying Ssangyong Rexton, it remains to rely on the conscientiousness of manufacturers who declare the full compliance of the car with modern standards. And hope for ABS and airbags.
Nitro crash test
In a series of tests conducted by NHTSA, the car was awarded the highest assessments. In particular, in an imitation of frontal and lateral clashes, Nitro earned five stars. Moreover, the driver and all passengers were equally well protected. At the same time, the SUV showed a dangerous tendency to overturning, receiving in this test only three out of five stars. In the arsenal of active and passive safety NITRO ABS, stabilization system, four pillows (frontal and curtains) and belts with pretense and effort limiters.
Outlander XL crash test
As a result of the tests conducted by the EURONCAP association in February 2007, Mitsubishi Outlander XL received 32 points, which corresponds to the indicator of 4 star. If the experts did not call the complaints performed on a perfectly lateral blow, then only 12 out of 16 points out of 16, which was largely contributed for the driver and front passenger, had a large -friendly crossover. At the same time, the protection of children was estimated at 35 points, which is 71% of the maximum result.
Andrey Tsybulsky
Author photo: Yan Segal
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [February/2008]