Mitsubishi’s popular Outlander SUV has just been freshened up for the 2020 model year – the fourth best selling medium sized SUV has been around for some time however it ticks most of the boxes – four front drive and six all-wheel-drive models all get more specification but also grow in price – the entry 2.0-litre petrol manual front wheel drive ES five-seater now $200 dearer at $29,940. With 7 seats and in CVT automatic it rises to $31,790 but also gets a larger 2.4-litre engine, in four-wheel-drive another $2500. But for most families the front–wheel-drive model will satisfy, especially if its used mainly around town. I think many families today buy four-wheel-drive variants when for most of their motoring is on the tarmac – four-wheel-drive adds weights, adds to fuel consumption and the extra weight put more stress on the drive-line and increases brake wear. The latest ES grade automatic Outlanders now gain autonomous emergency braking however the manual variant doesn’t – other upgrades dusk-sensing headlights and rain-sensing wipers.  A new 8-inch colour touch screen is a big improvement while air-conditioning controls get a make-over, power adjustment for lumbar support has been added to the driver’s seat, the second row bench seat has been re-designed with better cushioning and there’s another USB port fitted in the rear. All Outlanders feature a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and dual-zone air-conditioning with rear air-ducts under the front seats. There’s not much to criticize – best as a five-seater rather cramped in the rear row as a seven seater.

I’m David Berthon

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