2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT Review

MPG-o-Matic 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT Review Summary: The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT cuts a sporting line through the pack of three-row SUVs. You might be keen on the Outlander GT if you value handling over ground clearance and cargo versatility over a comfortable third row. The Outlander sits between the smaller (two-row) Outlander Sport and larger (three-row) Endeavor in Mitsubishi’s SUV line up.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered in three trims: ES, SE, and GT. We tested a top-of-the-line “Super All Wheel Control” (S-AWC) Outlander GT equipped with Mitsubishi’s 3.0-liter MIVEC V6 engine and six-speed Sportronic automatic transmission with Idle Neutral Logic. Idle Neutral Logic automatically switches the transmission into neutral while stopped to conserve fuel.

The GT’s V6 engine produces 230 horsepower (HP) and 215 foot pounds of torque. The ES and SE are fitted with a 2.4-liter MIVEC four-cylinder engine that produces 168 HP and 167 foot pounds of torque. The ES is only available in two-wheel-drive (2WD), while the SE and GT are available in both 2WD and AWD.

The official fuel economy estimates for the V6-powered 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT are 19 city / 25 highway for the AWD model and 19 / 26 with 2WD. The four-cylinder powered ES and SE are rated at 23 / 38 in 2WD form and 22 / 27 in AWD (SE).

We covered over 250 miles in our S-AWC Quartz Brown review unit and squeaked past the official mileage estimates, with an average of 26.5 MPG on the Interstate highway and 23.6 MPG combined with temperatures ranging from the high-twenties through the low-fifties.

Interstate Mileage Testing:

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 26.0 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 27.1 MPG

Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the the high-forties through low-fifties. Our test vehicle was equipped with the standard seven-spoke 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, clad with Goodyear Eagle LS P225/55 R18 all-season tires, and was delivered with approximately 6500 miles on the odometer.

Highway driving range is good. The 2WD Outlanders are fitted with a 16.6 gallon fuel tank, while the S-AWC Outlanders use a slightly smaller 15.8 gallon tank. The 3.0-liter MIVEC V6 is designed to run on premium unleaded, while four-cylinder Outlanders use regular unleaded.

All 2012 Outlanders are fitted with four-wheel-disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. The AWD GT weighs in at 3,780 pounds (curb weight), while the 2WD weighs in at 3,626 pounds.

The color Multi-Information Meter Display includes trip meters, range to empty, and average fuel consumption displays, along with a thermometer-style instant (real-time) MPG gauge. The real-time fuel economy display includes a triangular average MPG indicator and two-toned feedback bar that makes it easy for the driver to improve their average score. A small green ECO light helps to indicate efficient driving, as well.

The Outlander is based on the Lancer platform. Ride and handling are a notch above the cushy crossovers, although not as sporting as a GT label might suggest. The Outlander GT’s Super All Wheel Control can be set to Tarmac, Snow, or Lock via a knob on the console. This differs from both the Lancer EVO and Ralliart, as the four-door sedans offer a Gravel setting, rather than Lock. The EVO features front and rear active differentials, while only the front differential is active in the Outlander GT.

The GT’s cabin is driver-focused, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters that are unrivaled in the segment.

Our tester was equipped with the Touring option package and optional Navigation system. The Touring package includes:

• Leather seating surfaces in the first and second rows
• Two-level heated front bucket seats
• Power driver’s seat
• Nine-speaker 710 watt Rockford Fosgate Punch sound system with 10-inch subwoofer
• Power sunroof
• Rearview camera

The optional Navigation system features a 40GB music server and real-time traffic, along with an auxiliary video input jack, and a host of features you won’t find in most sport utility vehicles, including:

• Average Speed and Fuel Economy History
• Altimeter
• Temperature History, and
• Barometer

There are three twelve-volt outlets: one in the cargo area, one at the base of the dash, and one inside the center console, alongside the A/V inputs. Our tester was not equipped with the optional FUSE Hands-Free Link System, which provides Bluetooth and a USB port.

The sliding second row seat provides 37.5 inches of headroom with the sun roof (38.3 inches, without) and 36.8 inches of legroom. The strictly utilitarian – and dare we say uncomfortable – third row seat allows for 35.4 inches of headroom and 27.7 inches of legroom.

The split-tailgate is one of the Outlander’s most endearing features. The cargo area allows for 14.9 cubic feet of storage behind the third row seat. Stowing the compact third-row seat yields 36.2 to 39.5 cubic feet of storage. In total, there’s a generous 72.6 cubic feet of storage behind the front seats.

All-in-all, the S-AWC 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT is a unique SUV, offering a relatively sporty ride and a cargo area with true utility. Mitsubishi has announced a S-AWC extended range electric Outlander for the 2013. Things are about to get very interesting …

Parts Content Information
US/Canadian Parts Content: 2%
Major Sources of Foreign Parts Content: Japan – 98%
Final Assembly Point: Mizushima, Japan
Country of Origin:
Engine – Japan
Transmission – Japan

Warranty Information
Powertrain: 10 Year/100,000 Mile
Anti-Corosion/Perforation: 7 Year/100,000 Mile
Bumper-to-Bumper: 5 Year/60,000 Mile
Roadside Assistance: 5 Year/Unlimited Mile

– by Daniel Gray