2007 Mitsubishi Outlander First Drive

Fundamentally, this is a great little SUV. It's comfortable, it's roomy, it's fun to drive, and it gets decent gas mileage. Our XLS test model had a terrific-sounding Rockford Fosgate audio system, soft leather upholstery, a power sunroof, automatic climate control, navigation, and beautiful alloy wheels. Plus, the 2007 Outlander is a great looking vehicle, the likes of which have not graced a Mitsubishi showroom in many years. Cap this package off with one of the best powertrain warranties in the business and a fully-loaded price in line with what the average American pays for a new car today, and you might think the Outlander is a must-drive contender against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. You'd be right.

Trouble is, after that test drive, you might wonder why the Outlander squats and lunges when you step on the gas, snapping the heads of your passengers, and why when you roll up to a red light that goes green, there's such a long delay before the engine and transmission figure out it's time to get going again. You might also wonder why Mitsubishi thought that glossy, hard plastic was appropriate for the upper door panels where you'll want to rest an elbow while driving, why the headliner and sun visors look and feel like they were ripped out of a 10-year-old Kia, why the stereo functions aren't controlled by knobs instead of rocker switches and the touch-screen navigation screen, why the steering wheel won't telescope for a better driving position, and why none of the storage areas save the one in the top of the dash is lined with felt or rubber to keep items from rattling and sliding. You might also wonder what the point of the third-row seat is, considering that in the Outlander it's little more than a lawn chair with seat belts and puts a bunch of gaps in the cargo floor. Finally, taller people need to watch their heads on the edge of the tailgate when it's open.

On a more positive note, the Outlander offers terrific steering and braking response, coupled with some of the best road feel I've ever experienced in a SUV. The seats are comfortable, the climate controls are models of ergonomic perfection, there's a 110-volt outlet in the center console, the cargo cover is light and easy to remove, it's got dual gloveboxes, and the split tailgate design is exactly the kind of innovative, surprise-and-delight feature that can give Mitsubishi a leg up on the competition. I just wish I could say the Outlander has covered all of the bases instead of most of them.

Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi