2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

There is no doubt that the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport makes some sacrifices to keep pricing low; the somewhat cheap-feeling interior, lackluster engine, and below-average interior space all mean one thing: Mitsubishi can keep the costs down.

The cheapest model is the S which comes in at a wallet-friendly $21,445. It's followed by the ES with an MSRP of $23,445 and the LE at $24,395. The SE goes for $25,695 and a slightly less well-equipped Special Edition is available for the SE for $500 less. The GT is the only model to get the larger engine and AWD as standard and carries a price tag of $28,045; a Special Edition is also available for the GT - again for $500 less. All of these prices exclude a USA destination charge of $1,245.

Models not equipped with AWD can be upgraded to this drivetrain for an additional $1,550. However, the entry-level S isn't compatible with AWD. Similarly-sized rivals like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30 start at around the same price point; $21,420 for the Honda and $22,050 for the Mazda. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport prices climb to a point where it overlaps with larger SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage.

The car-buying public has become accustomed to small SUVs that drive like traditional sedans - hell, even larger SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 drive better than older luxury sedans. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, on the other hand, takes a more traditional SUV driving experience. Don't get us wrong; the Sport won't roll over when swerving out of the path of an inattentive driver, but it won't hug the road like some of its more dynamic-handling competitors. Chuck the Sport through a set of twisties and there's noticeable body roll, but it feels planted, especially in AWD guise. Steering is typically light and there's very little steering feedback on offer, a typical trait in this class. We noticed that the suspension can get unsettled over bumpy low-speed roads, but settles once it picks up some speed.

The time of the Outlander Sport has come and gone. Most of its rivals have all moved on to small-capacity turbocharged engines, which not only deliver significantly improved performance over the Outlander Sport's lumbering naturally aspirated engines, but they also offer improved fuel consumption. Despite the latest upgrades, they can't conceal this car's age. It can't match the competition when it comes to interior space or quality, ride and handling, as well as trunk and cargo space. Mitsubishi has taken the risky gamble of cutting corners in order to save money with the idea that a lower asking price will attract more buyers, but for similar money, you could get behind the wheel of super products in the US like the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-30. The silver lining is that Mitsubishi now has the chance to introduce a brand-new car that can take the fight straight to the top.

The question of which Outlander Sport to buy is a difficult one when you consider the fact that base model cars are stripped of most features and are only a few grand off of some of its much more accomplished competitors. Going for the top of the line GT model also poses some moral issues; paying for a GT means that you purposefully look past the Honda CR-V and the like. We would suggest going with the LE. Not only does it add a few sporty touches to spruce up the otherwise dreary cabin, but it gets a few genuinely useful upgrades like the heated front seats, the larger display screen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. At $24,395, it remains reasonable value.

A brand-new Ford Escape arrived for the 2020 model year, which puts the decade-old Outlander Sport on a serious back foot to start with. The cheeky little Ford starts at $25,555, placing it around the same price bracket as a mid-range LE Outlander Sport. Powering the Escape is a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with a cylinder count of just three, yet it produces an impressive 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, completely blowing the Mitsubishi out of the water. The Escape will return 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined in its most efficient configuration. Things only go downhill from here: the Escape offers more interior space, and almost double the amount of trunk space, and its interior is miles ahead of the Outlander's dated cabin. Out on the road, the Escape feels more car-like and is dynamically better to drive as well. The Outlander Sport manages to beat out the Escape when it comes to warranty coverage, but that's about it. Buy the Escape.

The Honda CR-V has been a class leader in this segment for well over two decades, and the fifth generation of this highly acclaimed compact crossover SUV keeps that torch burning bright. The CR-V follows the current trend by offering a small capacity turbocharged engine, which in this case, is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-pot, which produces a strong 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. At its most efficient, the CR-V will return a respectable 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. The CRV is a larger car on the outside, where it stretches out over the Outlander Sport by over ten inches, and that advantage is felt on the inside, where the Honda offers tons more passenger and cargo space. The interior is typically Honda - nothing flashy but put together with the utmost attention to detail. The CR-V is a beautiful thing to drive and will carve corners better than the Mitsubishi. It's the safer vehicle too, even scoring a Top Safety Pick award for 2021 from the IIHS. It's a no-brainer; get the Honda.