by Paul Blank

The Outlander has been a popular seller for Mitsubishi and it’s been through a few generational updates. I’ve just had a week with the 2025 Aspire version.

This is a mid-level version, which starts the range at around $41,000. The Aspire costs a fraction over $48,000.

There are three levels of equipment, 5 or 5+2 seating versions, front or all-wheel drive and petrol or PHEV powerplants. The petrol powerplant in the car I drove is a 135kW 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

It’s significant that the Outlander scored in the top 5 sellers in Australia most months last year.

In announcing the latest updates, Mitsubishi said: “As a core market for Mitsubishi Motors globally, Australian market feedback played a significant role in further improving the updated Outlander’s steering, ride and handling, tuning it to further suit Australian conditions and buyer requirements with a new tyre specification.

“There’s also an incredible new suite of Yamaha audio systems that further enhance the driving experience, while the refreshed exterior, new alloy wheel designs, interior and improved infotainment systems add further presence and sophistication.”

In many respects, it’s an innocuous vehicle. It blends in with everyday modern traffic… Not huge, but decently spacious. Well appointed without being pretentious.

What I did note, was that it is very well built. The fit and finish inside and out is excellent. I’m pretty critical about this and can say that in this respect, the Outlander far outshines the Chinese offerings in the same price range.

The same with on-road dynamics. While it might not be important to all drivers (and clearly isn’t to many who find cheap Chinese vehicles adequate) the Outlander drives nicely, handles well, brakes competently and manoeuvres confidently without being overtly sporty or weak. That gives confidence.

The electronics are well resolved too. While every new car is laden with tech needed to achieve their ANCAP 5 points for safety, some brands have annoying, badly calibrated and intrusive systems, Mitsubishi have developed a good, mature usability in this respect.

Mitsubishi has been around a long time, which explains some of the above – but should also give buyers confidence that they’ll still be here well after the long warranty has expired.