Taut and toned, the Mitsubishi Outlander looks bolder and more aggressive than its better-established competitors, the 2006 Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Outlander offers a manual transmission; the RAV4 and CR-V do not. And its aggressive pricing makes the Outlander an attractive alternative to the big-name brands.
Otherwise, Outlander is similar in size and character to the CR-V and RAV4. Like those two popular vehicles, Outlander is a car-based sport utility, with four doors and a roomy cargo area that's easily accessible. Like other small crossover sport-utes, Outlander offers elevated seating for better visibility.
We found the Mitsubishi Outlander smooth and quiet, and rock-steady at highway speeds. Outlander is neither tall nor tippy and its compact size helps it negotiate the often-hostile asphalt jungle.
All-wheel drive is available for improved traction and handling stability on snow and ice or gravel. For 2006, anti-lock brakes and seat-mounted side-impact airbags come standard on all models.
A new 2006 Outlander SE replaces last year's XLS. The SE combines the same content with more brightwork and bling-bling, inside and out. And for 2006, the Limited model adds automatic climate control to its list of standard conveniences.