MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

Based on the new Lancer platform, the Outlander is anything but an Evo. It doesn’t sport a huge spoiler, nor does it tear open entire forests. Instead it’s meant for people who will happily plonk a wheel into a pothole. But that’s only half the story. Because, unlike other soft-roaders, it has a switchable 4WD system that allows some leeway when you want to go off road. And that’s saying a lot in a market where every other SUV is either 2WD or has an intelligent 4WD system that does everything but help you go off-road. It’s assembled in India, yet is on the expensive side. Mitsubishi have offset all of that by providing kit like heated seats and a dozen-odd speaker Rockford Fosgate system. The 2400cc petrol is powerful and is linked to a CVT that’s slightly slow on the off take. It looks good, rides will, handles even better, so it is a fantastic package. Legroom is slightly low for a car its size, but other than that there’s really nothing to complain about.
AUTODATA
Engine: 23600cc, 1-4
Transmission: CVT
Power (bhp@rpm): 167.6 @ 6000
Torque (kgm@rpm): 23@4100
Dimensions:
LxWxH (mm): 4640x1800x1675
Wheelbase: 2760mm
What’s it got: A soft roader shell with off-road capability
What it ain’t: Slightly expensive, lacks legroom
Anything else? Honda CR-V to, er, look different