Used 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

#13 in Best Subcompact SUVs of 2020

As it fights to regain its rightful place among other Japanese brands, Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport for 2020 has become the company’s prized fighter. With aggressive styling, a healthy standard-equipment list on mid-grade trims and a great warranty, the 2020 Outlander Sport crossover SUV should have what it takes to at least get Honda, Subaru and Nissan shoppers to give it a once-over.

Available with a choice of 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter engines, the Outlander Sport isn’t as spry as some competitors, and its fuel economy is only middle of the road. But its price is very tempting, and for some people, that’s a big deal. SE models now tout forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beams as standard equipment.

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The 2020 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.

The ride is a bit firm, but it corners nicely and had good feedback to the steering and brakes. The public doesn’t seem to mind the Outlander Sport’s age as 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-liter, with only a small price to pay in fuel economy. The CVT (continuously variable transmission) can drone a bit under hard acceleration, but overall it works well.

For 2020, the biggest news inside the Outback Sport’s comfortable cabin is a new optional 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system designed to mimic the look and functionality of a smartphone. The big screen displays large, clear icons and can be navigated by either Siri, Google Assistance or via traditional knobs for volume and tuning.

There are new fabrics for the nicely bolstered seats, and more detailing around the dashboard’s control knobs and switches. Heated seats are available on the ES and standard on the SP, SE and GT. Interior color choices are limited to black and gray, but the overall quality and construction of the seats, dash and door panels is good.

Front-seat headroom and legroom are good for 6-footers, but the back seat will feel cramped to anyone over 5-foot-9. The Outlander Sport offers 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 49.5 cubic feet when the 2nd-row seats are folded flat.

For 2020, the Outlander Sport gets a more aggressive look, with a strong Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield grille design up front, as well as a new front bumper, hood and front fenders. Sporty new LED headlights are now standard.

A new rear bumper design gives the Outlander Sport a wider, more stable stance. 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
Optional on the base ES and standard on all other trims, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow for seamless smartphone integration. The systems bring your phone’s apps, text messaging, music and navigation to the Outlander Sport’s touch-screen display, allowing control either via voice command or a simple touch.

OUTSTANDING WARRANTY
One of the biggest questions many buyers have is: “Will the Outlander Sport be a reliable car?” Well, thanks to the impressively long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, any worry about costly repairs is put to rest.

Safety seems to be the primary focus of the new standard equipment for 2020. The Outlander Sport SE 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 SP gains heated front seats, an 8-inch touch screen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The SE improves on that with a push-button starter, LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers and power-folding side mirrors. The GT gets the 2.4-liter engine, along with soft-touch seating surfaces and an auto-dimming HomeLink mirror.

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. The ES Convenience package adds an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, heated front seats, steering-wheel voice-recognition controls and gloss-black accents.

Options include exterior and interior colors, plus more than a dozen accessory packages. The Popular Value Package, which includes wheel locks, front and rear mudguards, a cargo net and an aluminum-and-leather-wrapped shifter, costs a reasonable $355. A rear roof spoiler and remote start are both dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive is available on all models.

The base engine in the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport remains a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 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 either engine, 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, SP, SE)
148 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg (FWD), 23/29 mpg (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: 23/29 mpg (FWD), 23/28 mpg (AWD)