OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 19, 2009 · 18 Second generation Mitsubishi Outlander By Jim Robinson Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine When I drove the second generation Outlander back in 2007, I noted Mitsubishi officials were calling it, and the Lancer, the most important cars in the company's short Canadian history. When Mitsubishi arrived here seven years ago, it did so with a collection of vehicles that were lagging behind the curve. The Outlander and Lancer set the tone for vastly different lineups of vehicles that have now arrived like the Eclipse Coupe and Spyder, the Ralliarts, the Sportback and the mighty EVO GSR and MR. Along with new dealerships and new wares, Mitsubishi hoped Canadians would take a second look and it seems to be working. The 2009 Outlander is longer, wider and taller than the previous generation primarily to offer five- or seven-passenger seating. Seven-seat models have a standard underfloor stowage compartment and a compact third row seat that folds flat into the floor when not needed. Five-seat models also feature an under-floor storage bin. The second-row seat has 60/40 split fold-and-tumble seat backs that expand cargo capacity. The second-row 60/40 seats fold independently and offer a 3.15-in. fore/aft slide range to optimize passenger room or cargo room. The seatbacks can also recline independently, allowing second-row passengers to find a position that is most comfortable for them. Helping make loading bikes or large packages easier is the segment's first flap-fold tailgate. When lowered, the tailgate also serves as a seat for outdoor activities and can support up to 200 kg (440 lb). The 2009 Outlander cargo floor is 600 mm (23.6 inches) off the ground or about 206 mm (8.1 inches) lower than the pervious model. Overall cargo volume behind the front seats measures 2,056 litres (72.6 cu ft), a gain of 12.3 cu. ft. over the first-generation Outlander. With the second row seats up, cargo room measures 39.0 cu ft. There is 14.9 cu ft behind the third row seats on XLS models. When it bowed as a 2007 model, the Outlander was fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 but now a 2.4-litre inline SOHC four-cylinder has been added and found on the entry-level ES. It produces 168 hp and 167 lb/ft of torque. The transmission is a CVT with an adaptive shift system that lets the driver shift "manually". This is primarily for holding it in second for launching in the snow. The ES comes standard in frontwheel-drive (FWD) or optionally with allwheel-drive (AWD). Fuel consumption is rated at 10.5/7.8L/100 km city/highway for the FWD and with aplomb. The Outlander can also be equipped with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Bluetooth is catching on fast because it allows hands-free cellphone conversion along with voice recognition. Fully kitted out with just about every option in the Mitsubishi book, the XLS approaches the luxury levels of Lexus RX and Acura MDX. Lined in leather, there is the discreet use of metal trim and interior control lighting is done in amber like a BMW or Audi. In fact, the cabin in the XLS tested here was very similar in tone to the Audi Q5. The third row seat is kind of interesting. More like a shell, it's slim enough and light enough to slip below the rear cargo floor with just a touch. The 3.0-litre with variable value timing, fuel injection and computerized engine mapping hauls the XLS easily down the lane or down the highway. In the still red-hot Canadian compact SUV/CUV segment Mitsubishi has a story to tell and a very good product in the Outlander. If you're thinking about something in this segment, Mitsubishi might not have been in your top picks, but it might just be worth taking a new look at. The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a CUV with a range of engines, drivetrains and trim levels to suit most of those shopping for a compact SUV/CUV. 10.6/8.0L/100 km for the AWD. Pricing starts at $24,998 for the ES FWD and $26,998 for the ES AWD. The mid-trim level LS and toptrim XLS Outlander models use the same 3.0-litre V6 with 220 hp and 204 lb/ft of torque. Drive is through a six-speed Sportronic automatic transmission with optional magnesium steering wheel paddle shifters on the XLS model. Fuel consumption here is listed as 12.0/8.2L/100 km city/highway. Pricing for the LS starts at $27,998 while the Outlander XLS starts at $32,196. The ES AWD and LS AWD can add the $2,250 Sun and Sound Package that includes a power sunroof and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system with nine speakers, one of which is a 10-inch subwoofer grafted into the rear cargo wall. Tested here is the XLS with the $4,000 optional Navigation and Entertainment Package. It builds on the Sun and Sound Package adding a GPS navigational system, 40gigabyte hard disc drive, seven-inch front touch screen monitor, nine-inch monitor for the DVD system in the rear and a back-up camera. In FWD, the Outlander can tow up to 2,000 lbs. The AWD models (with increased capacity radiator and an automatic transmission cooler) can tow a trailer up to 3,500 lbs. Mitsubishi used the term All-Wheel Control (AWC) for its version of AWD. This system combines Active Skid and Traction Control with a specially tuned suspension and an aluminum roof to lower the centre of gravity for better ride and handling than a truck-based SUV. AWC is driver selectable via a rotary knob on the driveshaft tunnel. The choices are "2WD" for front-drive operation in normal conditions, "4WD" on wet and/or slippery surfaces and "Lock" that provides equal torque to each of the four wheels for maximum grip in snow, slush and loose gravel/dirt. 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