Despite our initial misgivings about the genre as nothing more than a styling exercise, compact SUVs have come into their own, proving to be the vehicles most suitable to Metro Manila conditions. Manila Water dug up trench in the road? Flash flood? Potholes? These pose no problem to the raised ground clearance, bigger wheels and toughened-up suspension of what are essentially cooler, meaner station wagons. They’re easy to see out of and park, can swallow luggage and bicycles with ease, and are nimble enough to weave through tight city streets.
It wasn’t long until many buyers saw the compact SUV as an attractive alternative to boring sedans. More and more players entered the field, until we wondered which each new entry: does this really offer anything new?
The Mitsubishi Outlander was one of the last to arrive at the party, but it brought along something which its rivals don’t quite have. Instead of going to the land of the mini-SUV, the Outlander has gone the Sportwagon route, similar to the Volvo XC70 or Audi Allroad.
For starters, it doesn’t emulate the look of an SUV. The Outlander is distinctly car-like in appearance. Honest and refreshing, as too much body cladding does not an SUV make. If only Mitsubishi had an F1 program. It could then claim that the raised hood portion leading to a prominent nose was a facsimile of its latest racer, just like its corporate ally, Mercedes-Benz. At best, it can claim a heavy mecha influence. The Transformer robot nose leads to a smooth and sleek slide profile. At the rear, there are some neat touches like a roof spoiler, and under that, washer nozzles disguised as a screw on the third brake lamp.
There’s no spare mounted on the tailgate, and this allows for unimpeded visibility and a lift-gate type rear door. One disadvantage is that the spare is under the boot floor, so that eats up a lot of space—the load floor is relatively high. If you need more room for your gear, the rear seats fold up in a 70/30 split.
The interior also looks Spartan, as if some controls and buttons were missing. They’re all there, though, neatly laid out so everything looks simple. There’s even a touch of Bentley in the silver-colored plastic insert in the dashboard, with an analog clock mounted in the center. Silver-colored plastic usually ends up looking horrid, but the look and finish of this diamond-patterned material is refreshingly pleasant. Gauges are on the smallish side, emulating the look of those in Mitsubishi’s bigger SUVs.
The engine pulls adequately, even with its modest 136 hp. There’s ample torque as you approach 2500 rpm. The maximum 201 Nm is delivered at this low engine speed, allowing for excellent acceleration in city driving. The four-speed auto shifts up unobtrusively, and is quick to downshift when needed. Slide the lever to the right, and you can row through the gears manually. There’s a split-second delay when using the manual mode, so it’s best to let the computer shift for you.
Where the Outlander shines is in ride comfort. The front seats play a big part in this, being supportive all the way to the upper back. The bottom cushion stretches all the way to provide excellent thigh support. Just the thing for long traffic queues or weekend drives. The second part of the equation is a firm but bump-absorbent ride. The MacPherson Strut front / Multi-Link rear suspension filters out harshness while still allowing the driver communication with the pavement. Head- and legroom are generous at all seating positions.
The Outlander is not quite up to sports sedan handling—as with most tall cars, there’s heavy body lean. That aside, the steering feels direct and precise, with no dead zone. Braking is by discs at the front with rear drums, equipped with ABS and EBD, actuated by a firm pedal.
Rather than coming up with a me-too product, Mitsubishi has given its entry a distinct advantage. Those craving for the comfort and driving dynamics of a sedan combined with the all-wheel drive and higher eye point of an SUV should first consider the Robot. ●
Can the Mitsubishi Outlander GLS’s good looks and surprising dynamics make it win the first-ever Car of the Year – Philippines award? Find out in February 2005.
By Jason Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang
As published in The Manila Bulletin
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