Mitsubishi Outlander XL test drive since 2009 SUV

Mitsubishi Outlander XL. The crisis is over

Outlander XL car, sold in our market for a long time and well -studied. The debut of crossovers in Russia took place back in 2007. Then the dealers offered cars with a 2.4-liter engine with a variator and 3.0 V6 (paired with a 6-speed automatic). Much water has flown under the bridge since that time. In connection with the crisis of the top version, the car went through the facelifting procedure, trying on the new branded person a la Lancer X. Last year, assembly production was started at the PSMA Alliance Kaluga plant. Finally, this summer, the car updated a little again.

And also, realizing that the crisis in the car market behind, Mitsubishi decided to again sell a version with a three -liter engine with us. To get acquainted with the most recent versions of Outlander XL, we made the way to Kaluga and vice versa, visiting the assembly enterprise at the same time. The first car is a well-known version with a 170-horsepower four-cylinder atmospheric. If we compare the updated car with the old one, then you can note the face from Lanser to the crossover fit.


The assembly enterprise in Kaluga now, in fact, is only engaged in the final pre -collection of cars already collected in Japan and France. Cars come with the assembled salon. Here, only the bodies with motors, wheels are married, the working fluids are poured and the result obtained on a special highway is checked. We can say that now Outlander XL is still a Japanese car. But the situation should change next year, when the joint venture of Peugeot Citroen Mitsubishi will launch full -fledged production, designed for a total of 125,000 cars a year

But the interior of metamorphosis did not comprehend. The architecture remained the same, but the salon was slightly ennobled due to leather inserts on the front panel and door panels. Alas, even the top version still does not have a separate climate control, which has become familiar to less prestigious models. I sat on the second row. There are plenty of places here, both in the knees and above the head. But amenities, except for lighting, no ashtray and an armrest with cup holders, are not.


The minimalist design of the salon still characterizes this car. Nevertheless, it is quite pretty and convenient here. Taking tests are read without problems in any weather, and most functions are displayed on the touch display

The dynamics of Outlander XL with a 2.4-liter engine does not affect the passport over the passport up to hundreds occupies 10.8 seconds at this car, and the maximum speed is 190 km/h. Nevertheless, at the wheel of a 170-horsepower car you do not feel damaged either on the highway or in the city. The variator, although it makes the engine monotonously howl on individual notes, copes with the task of transmitting to the wheels of torque very good. In addition, the aggregate has six pseudo -shows and steering wheel switches, which in some way reminds of the sports traditions of the brand. However, the manufacturer himself is unsubstantially considered this modification of the most balanced in terms of dynamics and economy. One cannot disagree with them, because a 3-liter car in acceleration to a hundred is faster for 1.1 seconds (9.7 s), and the maximum speed is 10 km/h. At the same time, the declared fuel consumption in Outlander XL V6 is significantly higher than 15.1 l/100 km in the urban cycle versus 12.6 l/100 km.

Looking ahead, I note that the suspension of cars with a 2.4 engine, perhaps the most balanced in the ruler. This became clear after a 3-liter version was able to try out on the way back. So, the chassis is moderately hard, the steering has a good feedback (the performance of the amplifier changes depending on speed). Thanks to the lower mass engine, it is better to hang along the axes, which makes control a little more pleasant and interesting.


On all versions of the 2011 model year, a priority braking system appeared (Mazda has almost identical, after updating its six). Recall that the appearance of this system is inspired by the sad experience of Toyota, when for the company's cars, for various reasons, the accelerator jammed in the pressed position. But now the brake pedal is more important for the electronic brain of the car

Now we will talk about the top version in more detail. Outwardly, it differs from the simpler Outlander XL not too much. This is a number of chrome elements, double -sized exhaust nozzles and hatch in the roof. There are more differences on the move. Better dynamics, and control it thanks to the machine is more interesting and familiar. True, the work of a 6-speed box cannot be called perfect. When you go in a measured civil regime, everything is fine. You begin to nimble and the automatic machine hesitates with a change in gears, allowing sharp inclusions. But the V6 engine returned a little updated. Firstly, now it complies with Euro 4 standards. Secondly, the increase in horses amounted to three heads (223 hp), and in the moment 8 newon meters (284 N ∙ m), which is fundamentally the character of the crossover, of course , did not change.

It is noticeable that the older version has its own settings by the chassis tandem of the front racks and springs slightly softer. However, all this is at the level of the nuances. On the Kaluga section, Moscow specially moved out of the highway and gave heat along a narrow and deprived of cars a secondary village path, similar to a rally extent. Well, I must notice that the three -liter XL is quite a driver of which is close to the passenger. Even in the quick turns that we overcome at a speed of 140-150 km/h, he behaved very clearly and did not strain the driver at all. The machine remains logical and easy to drive and at lower speed, in more steep turns. Although here, when shifting, rolls become more obvious. But Outlander XL minimally pecks with the nose on braking and squats down at the acceleration. I liked the suspension settings!

On the highway, the car behaves confidently, reacts moderately to rut, especially with intensive acceleration and the 4WD mode on. Everything is true, part of the thrust in this case goes to the rear wheels, and there are fewer parasitic moments on the steering wheel. But with noise insulation there are certain problems. The main claim to the wheeled arches. The rumble of tires dominates and is the main source of undesirable sound background. However, the insulation of the motor compartment is also to leave much to be desired. This is especially true for the 2.4 engine and the variator (their tandem howls worst), but the three -liter version sings rolled up, pleasant and not at all boring thanks to the constant shift of gears and the noble six -cylinder motor.


When under the wheels of dry asphalt, you can only drive on the front -wheel drive by selecting 2WD mode. In automatic 4WD mode, the distribution of torque will be headed by electronics. For off -road and very slippery surfaces, the manufacturer recommends using 4WD Lock. True, he is silent exactly how much moment and in what conditions is transmitted to the rear axle. There are no electronic imitations

It should be noted that today in Russia in the class of crossovers, only Toyota Rav4 is better than Outlander XL. With the return of the three -liter version, as well as the appearance of a machine with a 2 -liter engine, a full -wheel drive and variator has every chance of squeezing the main competitor. The most affordable version of Outlander XL with a base 2.0-liter motor can be bought for 949,000 rubles. The top version of the crossover is estimated at 1,479,000 rubles.

True, calling Toyota Rav4 a direct competitor Outlander XL is not entirely correct, because the rafic is noticeably compact. Although Toyota has an elongated version of the RAV4, which is equipped with only a 2.4-liter engine (170 hp) and automatic. Set of complete two comfort plus with almost all bells and whistles for 1,310,000 rubles. And prestige plus with a leather salon, navigation with a hard drive and the rest for 1,435,000 rubles.

Korean Kia Sorento in Russia has a 2.4-liter gasoline engine (174 hp). Moreover, the base machine is equipped with front -wheel drive and mechanics (from 979 900 rubles). KIA with an automatic machine, all -wheel drive, a two -zone climate, a dynamic stabilization system and others will cost 1,239,900 rubles. For comparison, Outlander XL with a 2.4-liter engine, all-wheel drive and variator costs from 1 199,000 rubles. KIA has a 7-seater car with a 2.2-liter engine (197 hp) in the Premium configuration for 1,639,900 rubles. There is not only a leather salon, but also navigation, a rear view camera, a system of automatic alignment of the body height, a panoramic roof, air conditioning for the third row of seats.

Opel Antara is sold in Russia with 2.4 liter engines and 3.2 liters. (Chevrolet Capriva, which is an analogue of Antara, is a little more expensive), while already in the basic configuration this model has all -wheel drive. And Antara with automatic transmission can be taken for 980 thousand rubles. (The cheapest all -wheel drive Outlander XL costs 1,129,000 rubles). Opel Antara in the Cosmo configuration with a 3.2 l engine (227 p.), Automatic, leather salon, xenon, 18-inch discs and other bells andguncture is sold for 1,153,000 rubles.

Nissan X-Trail also has a full-wheel drive in the database, and the prices for the model begin at 995 thousand rubles. (engine 2.0 liters, 141 hp). A car with a variator costs from 1,044,000 rubles. Well, the Nissan X-Trail with a 2.5-liter unit (169 p.), Variator, ESP, leather interior, Assistance system when starting at the rise and descent from the mountain, xenon, navigation, rear view camera and others will cost in 1 366 500 rub. By the way, Nissan also has diesel X-Trail from 1,239,500 rubles. For a car with a machine gun in a good configuration.

Let's not forget about the twin brothers Outlander XL, called Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007. It is funny that both Frenchmen are slightly cheaper than Outlander XL, but buyers still prefer to take Mitsubishi. So, if the base price of Outlander begins at 949 thousand rubles, then Citroen and Peugeot can be bought for 929 thousand rubles. Moreover, the most interesting thing, the collection of the French already includes a stabilization system and six pillows! And the basic Outlander XL has only two of them (and Citroen C-Crosser can still boast of cast discs, not stamping). On the other hand, a 3.0-liter engine, a navigation system, a bi-ksenon or a non-clock access system are put on Outlander XL only on Outlander XL.

Text: Leonty Tyutelev
Photo: author and mitsubishi


 

A source: Auto.mail.ru