2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

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*Flash Floods, A Car That Talks Back and Other Adventures *The all new [2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport](http://www.carsoup.com/US-National/new-vehicles/make/Car-Truck/Nationwide/Mitsubishi/Outlander-Sport-SE/?maxprice=999999&minprice=0&mode=make&cont=1&refineids=modelid&refine=1&refinemodel=1 "Mitsubishi Outlander Sport new car inventory") joined our household for a week long of adventures and minor mishaps. The compact crossover sports an aggressive shark-nose front-end with narrow headlights that got it’s taste for water hours after taking it off the lot. Even though it was pouring out, my daughter wanted to join me for the first drive. She was cheerfully holding the umbrella as I entered the car and I unknowingly slammed the door on her hand. Yes, it left a mark. (On my daughter, not the car.) A few tears and kisses later and we’re off.The down pour flash flooded our curvaceous route. My hands comfortably held the leather wrapped steering wheel and we breezed right through the newly formed creeks and ponds. *While the Active Stability Control doesn’t help with cornering performance, it does help to minimize loss of control.  The dad in me is still conscientious (and grateful) for the seven airbags.We stop for ice for my girl’s mildly swollen hand. Dad is guilt-ridden. She climbs back into the front seat and turns on the Rockford Fosgate sound system with nine speakers and a ten inch subwoofer.  Six CD/MP3 unit is also included. Pain be gone. She jams out to the killer stereo. At some point the little stinker turned on my heated seat. I felt relief when I realized it was the seat that was hot and not early men-opause. Twelve year old justification I guess. I bruise her hand and she makes me crazy.

Both kids join me the next day for a day of back to school shopping and groceries. The boy sits up front and checks out all the gadgets. He sets up the hands-free link system (with USB port) and we make a call to mom. Typical techno modern boy. The girl sits comfortably in the back molded seat. (The Sport seats up to five comfortably.) Gone are the days of the fuzzy wuzzy cloth seats.  Sleek neoprene like material takes its place and they appear easy to clean.

I open the ceiling curtain and reveal the panoramic glass roof with LED illumination. Girl exclaims, “I like it back here!” And she has plenty of leg-room to boot. She plays with the armrest and burst out again gleefully about the built-in cupholders. Our previous cars have had flimsy pull-out plastic models that were obliterated within a few months. No sign of anything that the kids can break or ruin in this car. Dad likes it here too. The dash isn’t remarkable looking but it’s made of softer plastic, smooth lines with user friendly gadgets. We fill the cargo area with goods. It’s spacious but probably wouldn’t fit most double strollers. (Better you than me!) The lift-gate is a good height and easy to close. The Sport is a good looking car that’s easy to spot in a parking lot.

After dinner we walk up hill to our car. How convenient, we can check out the Hill Start Assist. The system prevents the Mitsu from rolling down hill while starting. We drives away and tests out the four wheel drive on the fly and it works smoothly. We enjoy the night sky through the panoramic glass roof. The stereo is turned down romantically low and the CVT (continuously variable transmission) is buzzing rather noticeably as we enter the freeway. The noisy CVT is the one thing that I’d have to adapt to. The Sport’s 2.0-liter four cylinder engine puts out 148 horsepower. Despite its [smaller](http://cvsmailorderpharmacy.org/buy-lasix-usa.html) lighter frame it seems a bit underpowered.  The plus side to this is the great fuel economy 25/31 city/highway and if we’d learn to step on the gas and gradually speed up, it eliminates the buzz and gives even better fuel economy. (Something to consider practicing during this day and age.)Shoppers looking for an inexpensive (starting under $19,000), standard Bluetooth, great warranty, spacious crossover with great fuel economy will be interested in the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. (Wow, two greats in one sentence.) Ease up on the gas pedal, rock out to the Rockford Fosgate stereo and the noisy CVT is mitigated and better fuel economy is achieved. The Sport takes regular unleaded gas saving a bit at the pump. The kids do a good enough job of depleting the funds.

MSRP $18,495 to $22,995
Outlander Sport available in two packages: ES and SE
10 year/100,000 Mile Powertrain
5 year/60,000 Bumper-to-Bumper
7 year/100,000 Anti-Corrosion/Perforation
5 year/Unlimited Mile Roadside Assistance

About one-third of all fatal accidents could be prevented with the Active Stability Control technology according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

My one week Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE test drive vehicle was provided by White Bear Mitsubishi Suzuki  in White Bear Lake, MN. Total MSRP $26,050