Used 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi’s 2019 Outlander Sport compact-crossover SUV isn’t as popular as, say, the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Crosstrek, but it’s nevertheless a good value. It’s also backed by the best powertrain warranty in the business, lasting for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Affordable, nicely equipped and solidly constructed, the 2019 Outlander Sport is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and a choice of a 2.0- or a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Only the base model has a 5-speed manual transmission; all others have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Base models are Spartan, but they do at least have 18-in. wheels and automatic climate control. At the top end of the spectrum, the GT models boast standard collision-mitigation hardware, HID headlights and roof rails.

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has updated looks and features, but this is a vehicle that made its debut in 2011. As a result, it feels old against competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which are built on newer, more modern, platforms. That stated, the Outlander Sport is fun to drive. And it remains one of the few compact-sport utes available with a manual transmission, a 5-speed. Nor does the public seem to mind the Outlander Sport’s age; it remains one of Mitsubishi’s best sellers. While the Outlander Sport’s driving characteristics and fuel economy don’t match those of the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5, the Mitsubishi feels stable, aided by the company’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. The 2.4-liter engine, with 168 horsepower, is a better choice than the 148-horse 2.0, with only a small price to pay in fuel economy.

For 2018, the Outlander Sport’s center console was given more padding to protect the driver’s knees. A 7-inch touch screen graces ES trims, while SE and GT models get a 7-inch smartphone-link display. The SE is fitted with heated front seats and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, while the GT interior boasts soft-touch seating surfaces. Two interior colors are available: black or light gray, the latter recommended because it lightens up the 5-seat interior quite nicely. The front seats are comfortable over the long haul, but the back bench will make 6-footers feel cramped. Behind the second row is a decent cargo area offering 20 cubic feet of space; this expands by a good amount when you fold the rear seatbacks.

Not much has changed visually with the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport because the 2018 model received revised front and rear bumpers, along with new LED running lights and accent pieces. The design looked aggressive last year, and still does, thanks in part to prominent molding around the wheelwells. The Outlander Sport’s proportions are excellent, and its compact overall length, some eight inches shorter than a Honda CR-V’s, makes it an easy vehicle to operate in tight cities. A roof rack is optional.

APPLE CARPLAY & ANDROID AUTO
The Outlander Sport may be getting old, but SE models are available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which enable your smartphone to be operated via the Mitsu’s 7-inch screen.

OUTSTANDING WARRANTY
Mitsubishi, like Kia and Hyundai, offers a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, meaning you’ll have your Outlander Sport paid off (or maybe traded in) before the warranty expires.

Safety seems to be the primary focus of the new standard equipment for 2019. The Outlander Sport GT benefits the most, thanks to forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist and blind-spot warning. The base model, the ES, has 18-inch wheels and automatic climate control, while the SE improves on that with a 7-inch smartphone screen, a push-button starter, heated seats and dual USB ports. The GT gets the 2.4-liter engine, along with HID headlights, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning and automatic headlights. All Outlander Sports have hill-start assist, stability control and seven standard airbags, plus a driver’s-side knee airbag.

The Outlander Sport’s base 2.0-liter engine is smooth and efficient, but the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is a better choice for its added power (and only minimal hit to fuel economy). Otherwise, features get added as you work up the trim ladder. Options include exterior and interior colors, plus more than a dozen accessories packages. The Popular Equipment Value Package, which includes wheel locks, front and rear mudguards, a cargo net and an aluminum-and-leather-wrapped shifter, costs a reasonable $355. An Exterior Package, with a rear spoiler and a rear undercover, is available for $415. All-wheel drive is available on all models.

The base engine in the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport remains a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, but it feels a little overwhelmed by this little SUV, which comes in front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD). Instead, get the available 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. At 168 horsepower it’s no powerhouse, but it doesn’t have to work as hard to get the Outlander Sport moving, so it’s quieter while offering more punch. The CVT is your only choice with the 2.4, but it mimics a standard transmission with “shift” points, and it’s smooth enough. An AWD system is available on all models, aiding security in all conditions.

2.0-liter inline-4 (ES, SE)
148 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg (manual, FWD), 24/30 mpg (automatic, FWD), 23/29 mpg (automatic, AWD)

2.4-liter inline-4 (GT)
168 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
167 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 mpg