The 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander is an all-new sport-utility similar in size and character to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. And it measures up well against those two. Built on a car platform, it's smooth and quiet, and feels rock steady at highway speeds. It has four doors and a roomy cargo area, and loading stuff in back is easy.
Like other small crossover sport-utilities, the Mitsubishi Outlander offers elevated seating for better visibility. But it is neither tall nor tippy. Its compact size helps it negotiate the often-hostile asphalt jungle. All-wheel drive is an option when the pavement disappears beneath snow and ice or dissolves into a dusty, rocky trail.
Taut and toned, the Mitsubishi styling is bolder, more aggressive than the Honda, Toyota, or Subaru. The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good alternative to those vehicles and is priced aggressively against them. The Outlander ranges from a suggested base price of $17,997 to a fully loaded suggested price of $23,390.