Mitsubishi Outlander grows up with a new look and style

The Outlander sports a new memorable body that has curves and body creases that were not present on the last Outlander.

A new face of Mitsubishi makes its debut — and it is a very modern look, with LED lighting and a wide-mouthed grill.

The new model also looks larger than before. It is wider and a bit longer.

Once you step inside the new Outlander, some of its biggest improvements from the previous model are seen. Some of that improvement comes from its partnership with Nissan.

Better seats and improved materials are a welcome change. Those front seats are more comfortable, making this Mitsubishi a better long trip vehicle.

Thanks to the wider cabin, there is more space inside. You can fit three across the back seat much easier than before.

Unlike most compact crossovers, the Outlander still has a third row of seats. You can fit two people in the way back for shorter trips. On the other hand, you can fold down that third row for extra storage space.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander feels more confident on the road than before. The wider track makes this Outlander better in the curves and better with crosswinds, also. The cabin is more hushed on the highway as well.

One thing that has not really changed is power or, some might say, the lack of ponies under the hood.

The new four-cylinder engine borrowed from Nissan is less buzzy but still lacks punch for this larger crossover when you mash the gas.

However, for the commute, it has just enough go to please the majority of drivers. The fuel economy is also a bright spot for this seven-seat crossover.

Cost: $33,745; as tested $37,995

MPG: 24 mpg city / 30 mpg highway (I managed 28.4 mpg in 227 miles of mixed driving.)

Options: $2,700 SEL Touring package; $195 tonneau cover; and a $160 welcome package.

Safety: Blind-spot warning with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic collision alert; automatic high-beam; forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and high-speed braking; lane-departure warning; MI-PILOT assist; adaptive cruise control; and traffic sign recognition.

Things to know: Mitsubishi remakes its Outlander into an improved three-row crossover. Bigger on the inside and a fresh new look makes the new Outlander more appealing for a competitive market.

Pros:

• Long warranty period with a 10-year and 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
• Extra space allows a third row of seating not seen in many compact crossovers.
• Many features to satisfy most crossover buyers.

Cons:

• Lacks power when compared with some other compact crossovers.
• Not very fun on twisty roads, as the suspension is very soft.
• Not a very large dealership network when compared with other larger manufacturers.