For the vast majority of crossover owners, there isn’t a lot of dirt roads or partially eroded creek beds to traverse, but it’s always nice to know that one could potentially off road in the Mitsubishi Outlander should the need arise.
The 2015 Outlander is a Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) for the outdoorsy driver. The Outlander MSRP’s for around $28,200 starting, $35,145 as driven.
The big selling point to the Outlander is that you can have all the out-of-city needs without having a vehicle too big for the city, a capable off roading vehicle with all the creature comforts and safety features for in-city life.
One simple creature comfort is simple space. There’s more than enough legroom, headroom and people-room in The Outlander. The back cargo area can even fold up for an extra two seats, making this an optional 7-seater CUV.
The Outlander GT S-AWC (version drove) comes with a 3.0L V8 with a 6-speed Sportronic Automatic transmission, with flappy paddles for when you need to step in. While the less exoensive models come with a 2.4L inline 4-Cylinder.
Even though the V8 engine is powerful, creating up to 224HP in the 3.0L, and 166HP from the 2.4, you’ll still get decent miles per gallon. I managed to get around 22MPG during my drive, which was always on backroads, mainly staying in the AWC Eco mode.
When one needs, there are multiple automatic settings based on terrain ( AWC Eco, Normal, Snow, and Lock for when you need to get serious) though as a city-dweller, there wasn’t much need for the later two.
Since the Outlander was made for the off-roads, it 
takes the Seattle area, ill kept roads like a champ. Potholes the size of Rainier are no match for the Outlander, which is good because the potholes are many.
I took it into the heart of Seattle, it handled like a dream. With driver-assists such as Lane-drift alerts and blind-spot alerts, you’ll be safe in your own lane even on the narrowest of Seattle streets.
The hills are no big thing as the Outlander has hill assist, even for when using the flappy-paddle manumatic.
While the driver’s instrument cluster had all the pertinent, and even handy, information, I feel the Outlander could have had a heads up display. The taller the vehicle, the more one has to look away from the road to see the speedometer.
Though the lack of a HUD doesn’t detract from the driving experience.
Instead, heated seats on the 7-way adjustable driver seat (6-way for the passenger) whisk one around in leathered comfort. A place with dual climate controls, 6.1 inch infotainment system and bluetooth connected Pandora.
You’ll be comfortable and cruising with ease using the (optional) radar-assisted, adaptive cruise control. The radar used for the cruise control also is used by the forward collision mitigation system, avoiding crashes before they happen.
If they do, every Outlander comes standard with a 7-airbag safety system, including a knee bag for the driver. I highly suggest the upgrade to a Rockford Fosgate premium sound system with 9 speakers surround sound and a 10-inch sub-woofer, giving your commute a bit extra awesome.
Whether you go for all the bells and whistles or not, the Outlander is sure to get you off the beaten path and back again. And that’s what’s great about the Outlander; while you may not need off road capability all the time, you know you have it when you want it.
