Author : James Raia
The 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander is the least expensive of the Japanese
manufacturer's three sports utility vehicles. It's compact, nicely designed
and offers more standard features than many SUVs nearly twice the
price.But the Outlander faces a tough challenge. In a popular category that
includes best-buy choices like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and
Subaru Forester, the Outlander doesn't offer any outstanding qualities
that could sway potential buyers.My test drive for the week was the new all-wheel drive limited edition
Outlander. It joins the previous LX and XLS models and features an
impressive list of upgrades from previous models.All Outlanders offer a 4-cyclinder, 160-horsepower, 2,4-liter engine. With
its standard automatic transmission, the vehicle performs adequately in
city driving. But it lacks acceleration for highway journeys, and it
struggles on long inclines, even with only two adult front-seat
passengers.Steering and handling are adequate and the automatic transmission
shifts smoothly. Mitsubishi's all-wheel drive system is a plus and it's
reminiscent of the original AWD feature Subaru first offered. The
Outlander limited edition includes 17-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel
independent suspension. But such features don't ease the tough go
over city street speed bumps, even at slow speeds.In several other basic areas – front and rear-seat room, ride noise,
interior materials and instrumentation function – the Outlander is
adequate. The gauges, for example, are simply designed and easy to
use. But if average is the best Mitsubishi can do, how can the Outlander
compete with heavy-hitters in the compact SUV market segment?For all of its less-than-spectacular features, the Outlander rebounds in
several areas.From the driver's seat, visibility is good. The vehicle's leather seats are
comfortable and front and rear seat access is spacious. Despite the
Outlander's compact SUV status, there's plenty of cargo space behind
the rear seat. And the rear lift gate is nicely designed and functions with
ease.The Outlander's best feature, though, is its vast array of standard
features, particularly in the limited edition. Consider: air-conditioning,
cruise control a 210-watt Infinity AM/FM stereo (six-disc CD and MP3
features), power doors, windows and sunroof, remote keyless entry,
leather seats, heated front seats, a 10-way adjustable driver's seat, dual
visor vanity mirrors, integrated fog lights, a nicely designed roof rail, a
60-40 split reclining rear seatback and daytime running lamps.Still, the Outlander doesn't have the workmanship of other vehicles in its
class and its resale value can't match the more well-recognized SUVs
offered by Ford, Honda and Subaru. Further, the Outlander is an SUV
with an underpowered engine. Isn't that a contradiction?2005 Mitsubishi OutlanderSafety features -- Dual front and front side airbags, antilock
brakes, daytime running lampsFuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 25 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles;
Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 7 years/100,000 miles;
Roadside assistance, 5 years, unlimited milesBase price range -- $25,179.00James Raia, a journalist in Sacramento, Calif., is the author of the
syndicated automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review, and co-
author of the e-book "How To Buy A Car Without Getting Ripped Off."To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver Review
Keyword : Mitsubishi, Outlander, 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2005 Car Reviews, The Weekly Driver Review, ByJame
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