- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
2.5i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
135kW, 244Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2022)
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed review
Mitsubishi Australia has drastically reduced its model range, putting more pressure on existing models like the Outlander. Is this mid-size family SUV competitive?
- Cavernous interior space
- Seven-seat flexibility
- Premium-like interior
- Similarly sized EVs are close to this price
- Powertrain can feel underwhelming
- Dynamically flaccid
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed
Mitsubishi Australia might not field as many models as it once did with the demise of the Lancer, Mirage, and Express, but that just allows the Adelaide-based outfit to put more emphasis on its remaining line-up.
Arguably, the most important model in Mitsubishi’s current arsenal is the Outlander mid-size family SUV, which competes against the hot-selling Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 in the largest market segment in the country.
And while the plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander might steal all the headlines, there’s still a large subset of buyers where the electrification cost equation just doesn’t add up.
So, is the petrol-powered Mitsubishi Outlander worth a look in?
How much is a Mitsubishi Outlander?
Mitsubishi’s Outlander is available from as little as $37,740 before on-road costs for the base ES five-seated front-wheel drive.
However, the brand fields 15 variants of the Outlander, with pricing that stretches up to $73,790 for the top-spec and all-wheel-drive GSR seven-seater with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
On test this week is the petrol-powered Exceed seven-seater that sits as the penultimate version of the Outlander without a plug-in powertrain.
Priced at $52,640 plus on-road costs, the Outlander Exceed is comparable to rivals like the Mazda CX-5 GT SP ($52,810 +ORCs), Hyundai Tucson Highlander Turbo ($51,650 +ORCs), and Kia Sportage GT-Line diesel ($52,920 +ORCs), but lacks a turbocharged like its competitive set, instead offering seven seats in place of five.
Still, the Outlander’s 2.5-litre petrol engine produces an adequate 135kW/244Nm that is sent to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission.
And it promises frugal fuel-use figures, but more on that a bit later in the review.
For the spend, buyers are treated to a wide assortment of standard equipment, even from the base grade, including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7.0-inch driver's display, cloth interior, dual-zone climate control, and an electronic parking brake.
Stepping up over the base ES adds more niceties like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, powered tailgate, a wireless smartphone charger, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, synthetic leather seats, 20-inch wheels, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and rear privacy glass, but the Exceed grade is where the Outlander starts to outshine some of its rivals.
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Climate controls now have three zones, so the driver, front passenger, and second and third rows can independently set temperature to their liking.
The Exceed also adds leather seats, a memory function to the front seats, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, and a heated steering wheel.
However, family buyers might appreciate the inclusion of pull-up sun blinds for the second-row seats, which does away with the need for the unsightly (and often filthy) universal shades that are draped over the windows.
Buyers could also spend a bit more for that top-spec Exceed Tourer, but with equipment additions amounting to a heated second row, two-tone interior, and massaging front seats, the Exceed has more than enough to keep parents and children happy.
So, is the Outlander Exceed a good buy at this price?
There are electrified models around or under the $52,000 Mitsubishi is asking for the Outlander Exceed, and the all-electric Tesla Model Y has just dropped in price to be in the same ballpark, so they are arguably better buys.
But if you don’t want to move to an electrified model just yet, the Outlander still balances price and equipment supremely well, if not being outstanding in any area.
Key details | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed |
Price | $52,640 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | White Diamond Pearl Metallic |
Options | Prestige paint – $940 Light Grey Leather Appointed – No cost |
Price as tested | $53,580 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $58,720 (VIC) |
Rivals | Honda CR-V | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 |
How big is a Mitsubishi Outlander?
Measuring 4710mm long, 1862mm wide, 1745mm tall, and with a 2706mm wheelbase, the Outlander is among the largest mid-size SUVs in Australia.
And that’s because, unlike the Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5, this Mitsubishi offers seating for up to seven occupants.
Okay, calling it a seven-seater might be a little generous. It’s much more of a five-plus-two as the third-row pews afford little room for adults and even large kids.
But it offers wonderful flexibility if the need arises to take the children’s friends home after soccer practice or when the mother-in-law comes over for a visit.
And when they aren’t in use, well, seats six and seven can just fold flat and you have even more boot space. However, that space is eaten into a little bit by the headrests of the third row, which need to be removed before the backrests will fold flat.
Luckily, there is a storage cubby for them under the boot floor, but if the headrests folded in such a way where they didn’t need to be removed, the Outlander Exceed would be even more practical.
In raw numbers, the Outlander Exceed’s boot capacity is 163 litres with all seats in place, which is good for some supermarket shopping or a few backpacks for school.
Fold seats six and seven down, though, and volume swells to 478L, making the Outlander more than capable of swallowing the detritus of a young family like mine such as a full-sized pram, nappy bag, and more.
In two-seat mode, the Outlander Exceed will accommodate 1473L of volume, which is more than enough for the occasional jaunt to Bunnings or Ikea.
And this generosity of space is also felt in the cabin by occupants too.
From the front seats, the electronically adjustable seats offer plenty of movement for passengers both tall and small, but take note that the steering wheel is surprisingly broad-rimmed.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a thick-rimmed wheel in my hands, but the chunkiness of the steering wheel is at odds with the rest of the premium, upmarket touches of the cabin.
The seats in our test car, for example, are finished in a lovely white colour with quilted stitching throughout that is wonderful to see in a model from a mainstream brand.
And if you opt for that white interior colour, just be sure to keep things clean, made all the easier by a bevy of storage options so you never have to leave that pen in your pocket that runs the risk of leaking.
The door pockets will accommodate water bottles, there are two cupholders for coffees, a sunglasses holster, a generous underarm storage cubby, and a wireless smartphone tray.
The centre tunnel also features two shallow trays – one for the driver and the other for the front passenger – but in my time with the car, I couldn’t determine exactly what they would be useful for.
Step into the second row, and again, space is substantial.
The second-row seats can also slide and recline, giving occupants a little flexibility in how they want to be seated, but in my time with the car, the Outlander was fitted with two forward-facing child seats that fit in without a problem thanks to wide-opening doors.
Amenities in the second row include bottle holders in the doors, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, air vents, and back-seat map pockets.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed | |
Seats | Seven |
Boot volume | 163L to third row 478L to second row 1473L to first row |
Length | 4710mm |
Width | 1862mm |
Height | 1745mm |
Wheelbase | 2706mm |
Does the Mitsubishi Outlander have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed comes with a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
While Apple iPhones can connect wirelessly, Samsung, Google, and any other Android phone will need to be plugged in with a cable to make use of the mirroring software.
However, if you don’t want to connect your smartphone, the Outlander’s system features a built-in satellite navigation that is buttery smooth and very quick with destination inputs.
There is also digital radio, as well as Bluetooth streaming capabilities to make the most of the 10-speaker Bose sound system.
In addition to the infotainment touchscreen, the Outlander Exceed is also equipped with a massive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that is clear, concise, and easy to read, as well as a massive 10.8-inch colour head-up display so you can mostly keep your eyes on the road.
Outside of these features, Mitsubishi does not offer a smartphone app to allow functionality such as remote vehicle status monitoring and pushing navigation destinations to the car.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander a safe car?
Mitsubishi's current-generation Outlander was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2022, and applies to all vehicles sold from October 2021 onwards.
The Outlander scored well in the adult occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist tests, notching a score of 83, 81, and 83 per cent respectively.
However, it is in the child occupant protection examination where the Outlander excelled the most, achieving a 92 per cent result that is comparable to the likes of the more expensive Mercedes-Benz GLC and Mazda CX-60.
The Outlander's crash-test score is valid until December 2028.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Mitsubishi Outlander have?
Safety technology is a strong suit of the Mitsubishi Outlander, with all models fitted with a wide array of advanced safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, rear AEB, lane-departure warning and prevention, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention alert.
In fact, the only extra feature available in the trio of priciest Outlander PHEVs is lane-keep assist.
The Outlander’s safety repertoire also includes traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control (ACC), an adjustable speed limiter, and hill-start assist.
Stepping up to the Exceed like I have on test, nets buyers dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive driving beam headlights, a surround-view monitor, and a stop-and-go function for the adaptive cruise control.
In my time with the car, the handiest features were the upgraded cruise that helped make a particularly busy morning commute through Melbourne more bearable, as well as the surround-view monitor that made it a breeze to park without kerbing the 20-inch wheels.
All of the systems worked as expected, with nothing being too intrusive or annoying in my week with the car.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Includes pedestrian detection |
Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes | Includes traffic jam assist |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
Driver Attention Warning | Yes | Includes fatigue monitor |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Front and rear sensors, surround-view monitor |
How much does the Mitsubishi Outlander cost to run?
Like all new Mitsubishis, the Outlander comes with a 10-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, the longest assurance period offered by any car brand in Australia where the standard is five years/unlimited kilometres.
However, this is contingent on servicing at a Mitsubishi dealership, if not a five year, 100,000km warranty applies.
Scheduled servicing periods for the Outlander Exceed are every 12 months/15,000km, whichever occurs first, with the first five years of maintenance totalling $1700, alternating in costs between $320 and $370 each year.
This makes it significantly more affordable to maintain than a Nissan X-Trail Ti ($2324) and Mazda CX-5 ($2114), but still pricier than the Toyota RAV4 ($1300).
To insure a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed, it will set owners back about $1578 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
That makes this family SUV more affordable to insure than rivals in the same class like the Nissan X-Trail ($1846), Mazda CX-5 ($1660), and Toyota RAV4 ($1754).
At a glance | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed |
Warranty | 10 years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $1010 (3 years) $1700 (5 years) |
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander fuel-efficient?
Officially, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed will consume 8.1 litres of petrol for every 100 kilometres travelled, but in my week with the car, I averaged a very close 8.8L/100km.
It is surprising to see a real-world fuel economy figure so close to the claim, as most of my numbers are usually around 40–50 per cent higher due to a heavy portion of inner-city and stop/start driving.
Still, this figure is higher than smaller-displacement turbocharged engines, as well as hybrid mid-size SUV options.
Mitsubishi also recommends 91-octane petrol for the Outlander, and with a 55-litre fuel tank, the family SUV can travel up to 625km (according to my real-world fuel useage figure) before needing a fill.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.1L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.8L/100km |
Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 55L |
What is the Mitsubishi Outlander like to drive?
Mitsubishi’s Outlander is one of the most surprising models I’ve driven in recent years, not because of how it wows and excites, but simply because it is exceedingly good at most things.
With a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine under the bonnet, the Outlander delivers its power and torque in a smooth, linear, and predictable manner.
With a peak 135kW power figure available at 6000rpm, and maximum torque of 244Nm available from 3600rpm, the Outlander isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but I’d argue this is one of its strengths.
While the outputs might sound dull to the power-hungry few, for the vast majority of people that just means the Outlander is easy and unsurprising to drive.
And paired to this engine is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which does an adequate job of being unobtrusive and fading into the background of the driving experience.
There are eight preset ‘gears’ for the CVT, which can be accessed with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but holding gears or downshifting in the Outlander is met with lots of harsh engine noise, so I primarily left the transmission to do its own thing.
Yes, the CVT can get stretchy when flooring it, but the Outlander's usually calm straight-line performance means you will rarely ever be in a situation where you would want to accelerate hard anyway.
The suspension is also set up to emphasise comfort over sportiness, a boon in a family SUV like this, with the Outlander Exceed able to soak up the unevenness of Melbourne’s roads with aplomb despite being fitted with 20-inch wheels wrapped in 255/45 tyres.
I was also surprised to find out how engaging the steering of the Outlander is, offering a good weight and feedback that belies its family SUV leanings.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a Porsche Cayenne or Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but there is enough communication in the Outlander’s steering to not feel artificial and disconnected.
Augmenting the driving experience, though, are selectable drive modes – six on offer to be exact.
The usual suspects are there such as Normal, Eco, and Tarmac (AKA sport) that adjust throttle, transmission, and steering settings accordingly, but it’s the Gravel, Snow, and Mud modes that will be attractive if you ever want to take the Outlander off the road.
Of all the settings on offer, I actually favoured the Eco setting as it dialled things back enough to be more comfortable for me and my family, and likely contributed to my near-official fuel use figure.
Eco mode also did the best at keeping engine noise low, which – along with wind and road noise – isn’t all that prevalent anyway when puttering around town on family duties.
Overall, the Outlander Exceed's driving experience is exactly how you’d imagine a family SUV to be.
It’s comfortable, predictable, and versatile in almost all conditions, and balances power and efficiency expertly without short-changing either.
Key details | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed |
Engine | 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol |
Power | 135kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 244Nm @ 3600rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Continuously variable transmission |
Power-to-weight ratio | 76.7kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1760kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Payload | 595kg |
Tow rating | 1600kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 11.2m |
Can a Mitsubishi Outlander tow?
Mitsubishi's Outlander is rated to tow a braked capacity of 1600kg and an unbraked capacity of 750kg, while the maximum towball load is 160kg.
This means the Outlander is capable of hauling a small trailer, a pair of bikes, or even a boat, but drivers should keep in mind the car's peak torque of 244Nm might mean it will struggle with heavier loads.
Fuel economy and performance will obviously take a hit when towing, but the payload figure of 595kg should also be kept in mind, which is enough for a small family and some gear, but could be exceeded with something like a week's worth of camping equipment.
Should I buy a Mitsubishi Outlander?
Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed is an easy recommendation for anyone after a well-equipped and extremely family-friendly set of wheels.
Keep in mind, though, that a fuel-sipping Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can be had for less (with a circa three-month wait time at the time of writing) and there are more potent-performing mid-size SUVs out there.
But if you can’t make an electrified model work for you, the Outlander Exceed is just exceedingly good at most things it sets out to do, making it a good fit for the average buyer.
How do I buy a Mitsubishi Outlander? The next steps.
Mitsubishi is showing plenty of stock of its Outlander in dealerships, especially the petrol-powered versions like the Exceed we have on test.
However, it is still best to contact your nearest outlet to determine exactly which variants and in which colour they have ready to go, which you can do here.
Mitsubishi models for sale can also be found on the Drive Marketplace here, and to stay abreast of all the latest news from the brand, click here.