When you see the army of robots that take on the Mitsubishi Outlander on the television commercials or the one in

Nice looking ride, the Outlander is seriously stylish. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

full livery rallying into the dealership before shaking its mud-covered body off on the walls, it's easy to assume that they're marketing this vehicle as ready to take on the tough stuff. I must admit though, I initially wasn't expecting much given that it came with only four cylinders, on the base model I first drove, at least, and a rather practical price tag. Happily, the Outlander turned out to be something of a nice surprise.

At first blush, the exterior is rather stylish. With hints of shapes that are somewhat reminiscent of the BMW X5 (minus the side contours and kidney shaped front grille, of course), it neither appears too bulky nor too sleek. Personally I like a vehicle that gives the impression that it has size and presence on the road, and the Outlander does this admirably without giving you the feeling you're about to climb into a tank or, worse yet, a modified minivan. At some angles it almost feels sporty and, yes, even elegant. Some neat lighting features, like rear LEDs, and a split tailgate are valuable additions.

Inside,

Looks great from all angles. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the cabin is comfortable if not basic (especially on the ES). I'm not a big fan of cloth upholstery, so the leather interior that comes in the XLS makes things much better. The dash definitely benefits from the addition of the navigation panel which enhances it greatly in the XLS versus the basic black one-line readout available on the ES. The only real nagging point here is the three-button climate control knobs which, although functional, feel cheap and plasticky.

The big selling point inside is actually the outside, or in other words the great big wide windows. The front windshield feels as though it goes down to your knees (well, not exactly). I do like to ride high in the driver's seat, but overall it is a compliment to those who designed the dash so that it doesn't dominate the entire front view. There's nothing I hate more than sitting behind a huge bulky dash that feels like it slopes up and over a big hill. None of

A liftgate and a tailgate make for a very useful cargo area. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

that here, and it is complemented nicely by large side windows and an overhead glass sunroof.

In the back, the passengers get minimal consideration, but it isn't uncomfortable and split rear seats that fold flat into the floor help get the big jobs done. Ample room for both the kids and the soccer gear means that you probably don't want to try the third row seating option (which I didn't see in person, but from the brochure looks like a couple of aircraft jump seats - ugh). And if I was 21, I'd be all over the big Rockford Fosgate bass woofer in the trunk, but being a little older I could do without it, if for no other reason than it makes me feel like a boulevard-cruising wannabe rapper. Given that the Sun and Sound package is a $2,250 option, I guess the choice is yours.

So time to push the button and hit the road (keyless starters still make me giggle). Quiet and responsive, it turns over easily and revs up nicely. Driving feels natural and car-like, which I enjoyed, and steering was responsive and comfortable at city-limit speeds. The 168-horsepower 2.4-litre MIVEC four-cylinder engine (available on the ES) makes strange shifting noises due to its Sportronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which makes you think you're shifting gears, but you're really not. At first, I found the vehicle to be rather gutless, but this was only because I forgot I was driving a four-cylinder. And while it tends to be noisy when working its way up steep hills,

A great looking interior, it comes packed with goodies in XLS trim. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

or at higher speeds, oddly enough, it's got a lot more under the hood than you'd expect.

Most of this is solved with the higher-grade 220-horsepower 3.0-litre V6 available in LS and XLS models. Lots of power off the start, and additional paddle shifters (in the XLS) allow you to go into Sportronic mode, which still won't win you any Dakar trophies, but it does mean you can have a little fun.

Once again steering is responsive, but whether it's due to its size or shape, I didn't feel as safe as I wanted to when taking tight curves or corners at higher speeds. I also get the feeling that with a full load of luggage and passengers, the Outlander might start to break a sweat and complain loudly on steep hilly roads or long, high altitude mountain climbs. Switching to four-wheel drive definitely adds a feeling of safety, especially in inclement weather.

Real motorsport-style paddle-shifters add some serious sport to this utility. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It feels like an extra set of clamps just gripped the road - but personally, I wouldn't take it off-road into rugged terrain. There's no low gearing ratio after all, so the little SUV's tough persona is really all show and very little go compared to the Monteros of the past.

Overall, the Outlander doesn't disappoint and has some rather nice surprises to reveal. Being a sucker for the little luxury items, like heated leather seats and climate control, I would opt for the higher end choices. But shopping among the mid-range models still means you get more for you money.

College kids with a penchant for the outdoors and a little extra in the bank would do well with the ES, especially with the tricked out nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate/Sirius satellite radio and sunroof package. Young budget conscious families would look pretty stylish here too. Spending the money to upgrade to one of the V6 models, especially the XLS, gets to be more serious since you're now getting up there in price. Add in the $4,000 Navigation and Entertainment package and you'll get a top of the line compact crossover, but now with taxes and extras you're shopping near the $40,000 range before discount, and more competitive options become available so the decision gets harder. Still, backed by a great warranty and a lot of little extras, the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander is one vehicle that promises to go the extra mile.

Specifications (2009 Mitsubishi Outlander):

• Price Range (MSRP): $24,998 - $36,348 
• Body Type: 5-door SUV
• Layout: front engine, FWD (opt. AWD)
• Base Engine: 168-hp, 167 lb-ft torque of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
• Opt. Engine: 220-hp, 204 lb-ft torque of torque, 3.0L, 24-valve, SOHC V6
• Transmission: CVT w/manual mode (opt. 6-spd auto w/manual mode)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
• Tires: P215/70R16 all-season (opt. P225/55R18 all-season)
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,640 / 1,800 / 1,720 / 2,670 mm (182.7 / 70.9 / 67.7 / 105.1 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,540 – 1,715 kg (3,395 – 3,781 lbs)
• Cargo Volume (behind 3rd / 2nd/ 1st row): 422 / 1,025 / 2,056 L (14.9 / 36.2 / 72.6 cu-ft)
• Ground clearance: 215 mm (8.5 in)
• Towing Capacity (2.4L / 3.0L): 681 / 1,588 kg (1,500 / 3,500 lbs)
• Fuel Economy (2.4L FWD est. city/hwy): 10.2 / 7.9 L/100 km
• Fuel Economy (2.4L AWD est. city/hwy): 10.4 / 8.0 L/100 km
• Fuel Economy (3.0L AWD est. city/hwy): 12.3 / 8.5 L/100 km
• Fuel Type: regular unleaded
• Safety Features (standard): front, side-thorax, side-curtain airbags, traction and stability control
• Competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson / Santa Fe, Jeep Compass / Patriot / Liberty, Kia Sportage, Land Rover LR2, Mazda Tribute / CX-7, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Vue, Suzuki Grand Vitara / XL-7, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan
• Warranty (mo/km): 60 / 100,000 comprehensive – 120 / 160,000 powertrain
• Web Site: www.mitsubishi-motors.ca