- 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Overview: Two New Trim Levels, Plus an AWD Option
- Engine Options & Fuel Economy Ratings
- Standard Safety & Tech Features
- Two New Trim Levels
- 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport MSRP
- 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Warranty
- 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- What’s New for 2021?
- Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
- Specifications
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Overview: Two New Trim Levels, Plus an AWD Option
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is refreshed and ready to mingle. Complete with new trim levels and features for 2021, the small(ish) SUV received top marks in last year’s JD Power Initial Quality Study. If you’re looking for an affordable and sharp SUV, the new Outlander Sport makes a strong case. Here is an overview of the vehicle for 2021.
Engine Options & Fuel Economy Ratings
There are two different engine options for the Outlander Sport, depending on if you opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive models have a 2.0-liter MiVEC DOHC four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft. of torque. The all-wheel drive Outlander Sport, which employs Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system, has a slightly larger 2.4-liter engine. Said engine creates 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft. of torque.
Fuel economy is close for both engines. The front-wheel drive Outlander Sport has an EPA rating of 24/30 city/highway, while the all-wheel drive versions come in just slightly lower at 23/29 city/highway. The combined rating for both is 30 mpg.
Standard Safety & Tech Features
Every 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is standard with Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic High Beams. Standard safety and convenience features on the ES and above include rain-sensing wipers, LED fog lights, auto-dimming mirror, and automatic headlights.
An eight-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio system is standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every model except the S and ES. Those latter two trim levels feature a conventional seven-inch display audio system.
Two New Trim Levels
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has two new trim levels for 2021, and both dress the small SUV up nicely. The Limited Edition (LE) adds black outside mirrors, a black grille, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Jump inside the LE to find red accent stitching on the seats, shifter, steering wheel, and parking brake. The Black Edition (BE) really goes for those extra style points by adding the following items:
- Side body graphics
- Black door handles
- Alloy fuel filler door
- Black outside mirrors
- Large rear body spoiler
- Black Edition exterior badging
- Tailgate protector trim in gloss black
- Black 18-inch wheels with red accents
- Gloss black front and rear air dams with red accents
The Outlander Sport Black Edition comes in four colors: Red Diamond, Pearl White, Black Labrador, and Sunshine Orange.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport MSRP
The chart below details the starting MSRP for the 2021 Outlander Sport. Add $1,095 to the figures below for destination and handling ($1,220 if you live in Alaska or Hawaii).
The Outlander Sport is affordable, but this free and easy search tool* will show you which dealers near you offer the best price. When you are shopping for a new vehicle like the Outlander Sport, you want to try and obtain the invoice price. This comprehensive guide explains how to go about doing that.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Warranty
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, seven-year/100,000-mile corrosion warranty, and a five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance program. Mitsubishi’s extended warranty is called the Diamond Care Protection Plan, which expands the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty to seven years or 100,000 miles.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
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2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Despite its recently redesigned facade, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is outdated and outmatched versus its classmates. The Mitsubishi subcompact crossover has several driver assists and some infotainment features that give the illusion of modernity, but its aging engines and moldering platform lack refinement. Driving the Outlander Sport isn’t satisfying in the slightest and sitting inside its dreary confines does nothing to improve the experience. What’s worse is that Mitsubishi charges about as much for it as the beautiful Mazda CX-30 and the cool Hyundai Kona, among other more deserving rivals. Aside from offering handsome styling, all-wheel drive, and an excellent powertrain warranty, there’s little to love about the 2021 Outlander Sport—unless shoppers are a huge fan of the brand.
What’s New for 2021?
After the previous model year underwent a transformative facelift, the 2021 Outlander Sport receives a handful of new features. All models now have automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. The base model also now has LED fog lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The LE trim gains black 18-inch wheels, a black grille and door mirrors, and a Limited Edition badge. Inside, the upholstery now has red contrast stitching.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Saving the most money on an Outlander Sport requires choosing the base model. However, stepping up to the LE trim level unlocks some features that are needed to make this Mitsubishi feel a little more like a new car rather than an old one. The most notable of these is the 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other content that comes with the upgrade includes black exterior accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and red stitching inside. Shoppers who want all-wheel drive can add it for an extra $1550.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Outlander Sport’s powertrain options present a choice between the lesser of two evils. The standard 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder is almost unbearably slow. The more powerful 168-hp 2.4-liter engine is quicker, but it gets worse fuel economy and is reserved for the priciest top-of-the-line GT model. Both engines pair with an unrefined continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The last Outlander Sport we tested with the 2.4-liter managed an 8.0-second trip to 60 mph, which actually betters several top rivals. While hardly sporty, the Outlander Sport will get you from point A to point B without drama. There’s a fair amount of body roll in corners but not so much that it feels unstable or tippy. The Outlander Sport’s braking distances are average for its class. After some initial softness when you press the brake pedal, it firms up and feels responsive.
More on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Whether you choose the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder or the optional 2.4-liter version, the Outlander Sport’s EPA ratings fall short of its more modern rivals. The 2.0-liter is rated up to 24 mpg city and 30 highway. The all-wheel-drive version earns 1 mpg less in both categories. The 2.4-liter has estimates up to 23 mpg city and 29 highway; all-wheel drive means 1 mpg less on the highway. The all-wheel-drive Outlander Sport GT that we ran on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, earned 25 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Despite being marginally improved in some trims, vast expanses of black plastic combine with an uninspired dashboard design to create a decidedly bargain-basement atmosphere inside the Outlander Sport. Leather seats are not available. Certain trims feature red stitching on the seats to spice up things. But no matter how much you pay, there is no escaping the Mitsubishi’s lackluster cabin environment. Despite its exterior footprint, the Outlander Sport can’t match the rear-seat room of competitors such as the Honda HR-V and the Kia Soul. There’s enough room for two to fit comfortably back there, but legroom isn’t generous. The Outlander Sport’s 60/40 split-folding back seats easily fold to create a flat cargo floor, but the Mitsubishi can’t hold as many carry-on suitcases as can many of its rivals. A relatively deep center console is a plus, but otherwise, the Outlander Sport doesn’t offer many places to stash your stuff. There are no door pockets for rear-seat passengers, and the spare tire takes up the entirety of the underfloor storage in the cargo area.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
While a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard in the base model, every other trim has an 8.0-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The latter looks to have uninspired graphics and a limited number of customizable settings, but it does have physical volume and tuning knobs, which we always appreciate. Still, the Outlander Sport’s connectivity features are obsolete versus the competition.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The 2021 Outlander Sport earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The last version that was evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was not named a Top Safety Pick. The Outlander Sport does have some standard driver-assistance technology, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are options. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard automatic high-beams
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mitsubishi’s warranty is among the best in its class, offering coverage that matches or exceeds Hyundai and Kia’s.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT AWC
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$28,920 (base price: $28,190)
ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement
144 in 3 , 2360 cm 3
Power
168 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
167 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.6-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Nexen Npriz RH7, P225/55R-18 97H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 171.9 in
Width: 71.3 in
Height: 64.8 in
Passenger volume: 97 ft 3
Cargo volume: 22 ft 3
Curb weight: 3316 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 8.0 sec
100 mph: 23.7 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.8 sec
¼-mile: 16.2 sec @ 86 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 123 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 25 mpg
Highway range: 390 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 25/23/28 mpg