2012
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES, At
first glance, the naming of the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport seems to make
sense. This compact SUV looks the part of an automotive athlete with its
aggressive, Lancer Evolution-inspired front-end styling and semi-crouching
stance. But sadly, there's really not enough under the buff body to justify the
"Sport" portion of this model's moniker.
On
paper the Outlander Sport looks promising, as it is loosely based on the
Mitsubishi Outlander, a crossover SUV we've praised in the past for its agile
handling. Baby brother Sport is 14 inches shorter, 2 inches lower and as much
as 700 pounds lighter, all favorable factors that should add up to increased
agility and performance. But in the real world we've discovered that these
would-be advantages yield nothing particularly beneficial.
The
Sport's lighter weight would be an advantage if it could be had with the bigger
Outlander's more powerful engine choices, but the Sport only comes with the
148-horsepower inline-4 borrowed from the Lancer sedan. And when it's coupled
to the CVT, the end result is lackluster acceleration. The Sport's handling
will likely be fine for most folks, but those looking for performance that
matches the Sport's name and looks will wish for less body roll and more grip
during spirited cornering.
If
you forget about the "Sport" part, this Mitsubishi is pretty
agreeable. It provides a smooth, quiet freeway ride and comes with a fair
number of features for relatively short money. But pitted against other compact
crossovers, the Outlander Sport doesn't really make the cut. Other similarly
sized runabouts, such as the Kia Sportage, Mini Cooper Countryman and Nissan
Juke are more enjoyable to drive thanks to superior performance and handling.
And if you'll be frequently hauling luggage or cargo, more mainstream models
like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V and even the regular Outlander are going
to be more practical and useful overall.
The
Outlander Sport is offered in ES or SE trims with front-wheel drive or
four-wheel drive (SE only) configurations. The standard engine is a 148-hp
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with either a 5-speed manual or a
continuously variable transmission (CVT). Standard features on the Outlander
Sport include seven-airbags, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes with
electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, hill start assist, heated
mirrors, body-colored door handles, LED tail lamps, traction control, and a
tire-pressure monitor. A chrome tailpipe finisher, Xenon headlights,
illuminated vanity mirrors, heated front seats, automatic climate control and
passive entry make the SE trim unique.
Despite
its name, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport offers little in the way of
sportiness. Acceleration is passable, but often you'll find yourself wishing
for more power when entering highways and passing. Handling is similarly
disappointing for driving enthusiasts, with noticeable body roll that does
little to instill driver confidence or fun. To its credit, the Sport does have
a smooth and quiet ride, making it an acceptable companion on long road trips.
source:edmunds.com,autos.aol.com
