Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-DC GX3 2WD 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The Outlander’s cabin is very comfortable with wide, supportive seats which provide a very comfortable ride. Steering wheel and seat adjustment allow you to find the perfect driving position easily, and forward visibility is good. The dashboard is well laid out and all controls are easy to reach, but some of the controls are not as easy to read as others. However, it doesn’t have the same appeal as the cabin in a Freelander or BMW X3.

The Mitsubishi 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, 16-valve diesel unit is refined and smooth; nevertheless, you're still conscious of the fact that it's a diesel. It has plenty of pull producing 280lb-ft of torque at and maximum power of 174bhp. Acceleration is decent for its class taking you from 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 124mph. Fuel economy is not class beating returning only 46.3mpg on average, but it’s good.

The Outlander has sharp handling for its size, due to firm suspension that controls body lean well when cornering. The steering and gear-change are both precise and feel well-weighted too. The firm ride, though, may become irritating if you spend most of your time around town.

On longer journeys, at speed, wind and road noise are evident and can become tiring after a time.

This GX3 version comes with ASC stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, alarm, immobiliser and CD+MP3 connectivity. Metallic paint and leather upholstery will set you back another £490 and £1,300 respectively.

The Outlander is a seven-seater, unlike others in its class. However, it’s not really capable of accommodating seven large adults – as the seats right in the back just don’t offer enough space. As a five-seater it’s got bags of room. Headroom maybe isn’t as generous as the legroom available, but there’s also an enormous boot providing up to 1,691-litres of space with the seats folded away, and it also incorporates a very useful divided tailgate.

The GX3 and GX4 versions both come with side and window airbags. Anti-theft measures include an alarm and immobiliser on the GX3 version.

Build quality on the Outlander is good. It has a nice durable feel to it everywhere and gives the impression it can be worked hard and will last a long time. Mitsubishi’s bigger cars are pretty reliable in general, so you shouldn’t have anything much to worry about in terms of reliability. All outlanders come with Mitsubishi’s 3-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

The Outlander may look a bit pricey at £20,999, especially if you move up to one of the higher spec versions. However, it does keep its value reasonably well, and most models average more than 40mpg. CO2 emissions are decent at 162g/km and Road Tax is in VED band G. Service intervals are every 9,000 miles and Mitsubishi’s Service Plan offers coverage for all the regular services during the fist three years. The cost of the service plan can also be included in financing. What’s more, it’s transferrable if you decide to sell – giving peace of mind all round and predictable running costs.

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-DC GX3 2WD 5-door is a good all round 2WD option, offering real space and comfort while being cleaner and more economical than its 4X4 rivals.