2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Outlander, and includes Mitsubishi Outlander safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

One of the few compact crossover SUVs available with a third-row seat – and we use the term “seat” loosely – the Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the better vehicles made by this Japanese automaker. Similar models that feature three-row seating include the Dodge Journey, Kia Sorento, and Toyota RAV4.

For 2012, the Mitsubishi Outlander gets a new ECO indicator light that illuminates when the SUV is being driven economically, and the Outlander meets Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) certification in all 50 states. The base ES model receives a new wheel cover design this year, and a new rearview camera with the display integrated into the rearview mirror is available in the SE Premium Package and GT Touring Package.

Mitsubishi sells the Outlander in ES, SE and GT trim levels, equipped with a four- or a six-cylinder engine and front- or all-wheel drive.

The Outlander ES is very basic, and is equipped only with front-wheel drive. Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels wearing plastic wheel covers, power windows with driver’s side automatic up/down operation, power door locks with remote keyless entry, and power side mirrors. The driver’s seat includes a manual seat height adjuster, the front passenger’s seat folds flat to expand cargo carrying capability, the rear seat features a 60/40-split folding design, and the cabin temperature can be moderated with standard air conditioning and rear heater floor ducts. Additional standard features include cruise control, floor mats, a six-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack, auto-off headlights, LED taillights, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rails, dark tinted rear privacy glass, and a rear window wiper/washer.

If you want Mitsubishi’s All-Wheel Control all-wheel-drive system, you’ll need to upgrade to the Outlander SE, where it is optional. Additionally, the SE model features seven-passenger seating, sport fabric seats with leather bolsters, magnesium alloy shifter paddles for the transmission, a leather-wrapped shift knob, upgraded gauges and displays, and premium interior trim. A FAST-Key passive entry and push-button ignition system is standard on the SE, along with a six-disc CD changer. The SE model’s exterior is also dressed up with a chrome grille surround, LED turn signal indicators embedded into the side mirror housings, fog lights, and a handsome set of machined-finish 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Mitsubishi offers a major upgrade for the Outlander SE in the form of the SE Premium Package. Add this option, and you’ll get a power sunroof, a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate Punch premium audio system, three months of free satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a reversing camera, and soft-touch cabin trim with double-stitched accents.

The Outlander GT is the most luxurious and sporty model, and is available with an upgraded AWD system called Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). The GT comes standard with automatic climate control, soft-touch interior trim with double-stitched accents, aluminum pedals, and extra chrome trim inside and out. The GT also gets a unique set of 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, and sporty dual exhaust outlets.

Two factory-installed upgrade packages are available for the Outlander GT. The Touring Package includes the contents of the SE Premium Package plus leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat. The GT can also be equipped with a Navigation Package that includes a 40-gig hard-drive navigation system with a music server, real-time traffic reports, and a reversing camera display.

Any Outlander can be equipped with the navigation system as an accessory. Additionally, Mitsubishi offers an LED Illumination Package, an Interior Package, a Cargo Package, a Protection Package, and a Towing Package for the Outlander. Additional extra-cost accessories on all models include FUSE Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a rear-seat entertainment system, rear parking sensors, and remote engine starting.

The standard engine for the Outlander ES and SE models is a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 167 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm. A Sportronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard, and includes magnesium alloy paddle shifters on the SE model. Fuel economy ratings are 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 22-city/27-highway with all-wheel drive.

The Outlander GT is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine making 230 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 215 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm. To help conserve fuel, the V6 is equipped with Idle-Neutral logic that automatically places the Outlander in Neutral gear when SUV comes to a stop. Instead of a CVT, the Outlander GT has a six-speed Sportronic automatic with magnesium alloy paddle shifters. Premium fuel is recommended for this engine, and the EPA says it will get 19-city/26-highway with front-wheel drive and 19-city/25-highway with all-wheel drive.

Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive system is exclusively available on the GT model. What makes it so Super? It includes an Active Front Differential, Hill Start Assist, and features driver-selectable Tarmac, Snow and Lock settings.

In terms of safety features, the 2012 Outlander is equipped with stability and traction control, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, and six airbags. Note, however, that the Outlander’s side curtain airbags are designed to protect only occupants riding in the first- and second-row seats. Rain-sensing wipers are standard on the GT model, and a reversing camera is optional on the SE and GT. Any Outlander can have reverse park assist sensors installed at extra cost.

When it comes to crashworthiness ratings, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Outlander a rollover resistance rating of 4 Stars. The NHTSA has not evaluated the Outlander since revising its crash-test program for the 2011 model year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has subjected the Outlander to its crash-test regimen, and the results are decent. The Outlander received the highest rating of Good in the frontal-offset and side-impact tests, an Acceptable rating for its ability to protect against injury in a rear-impact crash, and an Acceptable rating for its roof crush strength.

Reliability is also expected to be favorable, if not excellent. J.D. Power and Associates most recently predicted that the Outlander would prove average in terms of long-term dependability, but Consumer Reports gives the Outlander a better than average predicted reliability rating.

The Outlander is equipped with a generous warranty that covers the powertrain for 10-years or 100,000 miles, the entire vehicle for five years or 60,000 miles, and provides five years of roadside assistance with no mileage limit.

The Mitsubishi Outlander’s roof is made of aluminum to reduce the center of gravity and to lower the SUV’s curb weight, which in turn produces improved handling and better fuel economy, respectively.

Speaking of weight, the Outlander’s 3,384 to 3,780 curb weight (depending on model) is distributed over the front and rear wheels in a split that ranges from 53/47 to 54/46, not bad for a crossover based on a front-wheel-drive platform.

The Outlander GT can tow 3,500 pounds when equipped with its optional Towing Package. The Outlander ES and SE are limited to a 1,500-pound trailer weight.

With 8.5 inches of ground clearance, the Mitsubishi Outlander should be good at getting places in the snow, especially when equipped with optional all-wheel drive.

Mitsubishi claims fairly generous cargo capacity numbers for the Outlander. The company says there are 14.9 cubic-feet available behind the third-row seat, or about the same as a midsize sedan’s trunk. Fold the third-row seat into the floor, and the Outlander offers 36.2 cu-ft of volume behind the second-row seat. Maximum cargo capacity is 72.6 cu-ft behind the front seats.

The Outlander is equipped with what Mitsubishi calls a “flap-folding” tailgate, a two-piece clamshell-style hatch. This is great if you need a place to sit or you don’t want items rolling out of the cargo area when you open the tailgate. This is not so great when trying to reach items that are deep within the cargo hold.

Better than average in many of the ways that really count, but not a class-leader in most respects, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is a solid, consistent player on a field crowded with capable compact crossover SUV competitors.

By Christian Wardlaw