2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is a 5 or 7 seater SUV that is offered in both 2WD and 4WD. It competes with the Nissan Xtrail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Subaru Forester and the VW Tiguan. In this category, the Outlander and the Vanguard are the only 7 seaters.

Detailed Review

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a medium sized SUV manufactured in Japan since 2001. The first generation was sold as the Mitsubishi Airtrek in Japan and Mitsubishi Outlander in other markets. In 2006, the second generation was introduced to the market and the Outlander name was adopted globally. Production of the Mitsubishi Airtrek continued until 2008 when it ceased and the Airtrek was dropped entirely. The popularity of the Outlander has been growing steadily in the past few years thanks to its appealing design, 7 Seater capacity and improved reliability.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander comes with 3 engine options; The 2.0L petrol DOHC MIVEC, the 2.0L Turbodiesel DOHC and the 2.4L petrol DOHC MIVEC. The petrol engines use the MIVEC technology (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Control) and the diesel engine uses a Common Rail fuel injection system. The prevalent transmission is a 6-speed CVT but manual options are also available.

If you are interested to buy the Mitsubishi Outlander, get a copy of the Buyer’s Guide that gives excellent details on the performance of these engines as well as problems to look out for when buying a used outlander, click here to get a copy of the Mitsubishi Outlander Buyer’s Guide.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Grades

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in 3 grades. These are; the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0M, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4G and the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DiD. Below are specs for each of these grades.
1. Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0M – This comes with the 2.0L DOHC MIVEC engine, available in 2WD or 4WD, and 5 or 7 Seater.
2. Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4G – This comes with the 2.4L DOHC MIVEC engine, available in 2WD or 4WD, and 5 or 7 Seater.
3. Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DiD – This comes with a turbocharged Volkswagen 2.0L common rail diesel engine, available only in 4WD, and 7 Seater

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Interior

Legroom & Space
The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is a well designed car as is evident in its well laid out interior. On the dashboard, the various dials are neatly arranged in a functional and accessible way. The permanently illuminated instrument cluster provides for good visibility day and night.

Being a 7 seater, we thought the interior space will be compromised but we were pleasantly surprised. At the first row, the legroom is good for both driver and passenger. Tall people can be comfortably accommodated here. For the second row, the legroom is decent with seats that are well elevated and ideal for long distance travel. For the third row, unfortunately the space is very tight. For an adult above 5 feet, seating there for an extended period is agony.

Cabin Storage
The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has many clever storage compartments. These are useful for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags etc. For the 1st row, there 4 cup-holders, door panel storage, a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and a center-box. For the second row, the only storage is on the front seat jacket pockets. For the third row, there is one pocket compartment on the left wheel arch.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Boot Space
In the 7 seater configuration, the boot space is non existent and can only squeeze small luggage. In the 5 seater configuration, the boot space is ok and can carry sizable luggage such as suitcases, etc. In the 2 seater configuration, the rear seats can be folded to create a big space. One major flaw is, the 2nd row seats do not fold completely into the floor as we have seen in other cars such as the X-Trail.

Other Extras – Double Din Stereo, Navigation(Optional), Reverse Camera, Keyless Entry

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Exterior

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is a sleek SUV with a well designed exterior. The split tailgate is a very clever function that we’ve only seen in the Land Rover Discovery. When open, the lower half becomes a useful surface for seating or changing babies.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Fuel Consumption

2010 Outlander 2.0M(4WD) Fuel Consumption: 12.4 km/L (On Average)
2010 Outlander 2.4G Fuel Consumption: 10.9 km/L (On Average)
2010 Outlander 2.0DiD Fuel Consumption: 14.9 km/L (On Average)

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Acceleration

2010 Outlander 2.0M(4WD) accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.6 sec.
2010 Outlander 2.4G(4WD) accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.9 sec.
2010 Outlander 2.0DiD(4WD) accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.8 sec.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Fuel Tank Capacity

60 Litres

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Ground Clearance

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has a ground clearance of 8.5 Inches(216mm). This is very good ground clearance and is the same as that of the Subaru Forester SH. It is better than the Nissan Xtrail at 8.3 Inches. The 2010 Outlander will comfortably clear road obstacles such as speed bumps and potholes.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Stability and Handling

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is a solid car on the road that seems as if it floats over potholes and other road obstacles. The multi-link strut coil springs do a good job at keeping the car under control even at sharp turns. The Outlander has good stability and handling and we guess it was built by the same engineers as the Mitsubishi Evolution. Its pretty good.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Service Intervals

Minor Service: Done at 10,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: Done at 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel/Diesel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

For more information on how to maintain and care for your Mitsubishi Outlander, click here to download the Owner’s Manual.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy

Mitsubishi Outlander spares are not easily available in Kenya and if you don’t know where to find them, it can be a nightmare. We spent 4 hours trying to locate dealers for the parts but we eventually found them. Service parts and suspension parts are averagely priced and are comparable to those of the Subaru Forester. Body parts such as headlights and side mirrors are expensive so get comprehensive insurance cover. Used parts generally require negotiations and their prices vary from shop to shop.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability

The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.

Mitsubishi vehicles got a bad reputation in Kenya during the Pajero V600 era. This was a very cranky car with a choking engine and a sub-par suspension. Whatever the history, the Mitsubishi Outlander has banished those memories. We interviewed several Mitsubishi mechanics and their feedback on the petrol engines was positive. They say if well maintained, the petrol Outlander is a reliable car with few mechanical problems. We have heard scary tales of the diesel engine and our advise is to steer clear. If you’re absolutely bent on diesel then go for a low mileage and well maintained car.

Always follow the recommended guidelines as per the Owner’s manual. Click here to download the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Owner’s Manual.

Resale Value: Average

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Competitors

Nissan Xtrail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Subaru Forester and the VW Tiguan

Conclusion

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander packs a big punch for the car of its size. The third row seats are really for children and adults should use them for short distance. It performs well on the road and has got a sporty feel to it. The 2.4L is thirsty but it offsets this by supplying plenty of power for a quick and exciting acceleration.

What we like about the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
1. Good interior design
2. Good off-road capability for the 4WD
3. 7 Seater capacity

What we don’t
1. Third row seats are not for adults
2. Expensive parts