Mitsubishi Outlander

Name: 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander
Brand: Mitsubishi

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

Agile handling contributes to the Outlander's sporty demeanor. It also has generous rear-seat and cargo room. With its four-cylinder engine, this version of the Mitsubishi delivered good fuel economy and rode better than the six-cylinder version we previously tested. However, road noise is pronounced and interior quality is not impressive. A backup camera integrated into the navigation system is optional.

2009 SUVs Reliability

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Mitsubishi Outlander

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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2021

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2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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2009 Compact SUVs Ratings

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

$2,975 - $4,300

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Chevrolet Equinox

$3,200 - $4,000

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Dodge Nitro

$2,925 - $5,450

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Ford Escape

$3,000 - $4,550

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

$3,000 - $4,550

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Honda CR-V

$5,875 - $6,875

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Honda Element

$6,450 - $7,900

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Hyundai Tucson

$3,850 - $5,150

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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2009 Infiniti EX

$5,350 - $5,725

EPA MPG 19 mpg

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2009 Jeep Compass

$3,125 - $3,450

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2009 Jeep Liberty

$3,125 - $4,025

EPA MPG 17 mpg

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2009 Jeep Patriot

$3,125 - $3,325

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2009 Kia Sportage

$3,325 - $4,100

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Mazda Tribute

$2,975 - $4,275

EPA MPG NA

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Mercury Mariner

$2,900 - $4,100

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Nissan Rogue

$2,875 - $3,350

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Nissan Xterra

$4,150 - $5,800

EPA MPG 18 mpg

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2009 Saturn Vue

$2,775 - $4,025

EPA MPG NA

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2009 Subaru Forester

$3,950 - $5,450

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$3,400 - $5,000

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser

$11,025 - $13,400

EPA MPG 19 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2009 Toyota RAV4

$6,175 - $7,050

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

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2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

$3,000 - $4,200

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear, 2 third

AWD, Front

2.4-liter 4 (168 hp)
3-liter V6 (220 hp)

6-speed automatic
CVT

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2022-Present

Current Generation

The seven-passenger Outlander is fully redesigned for 2022. It shares its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and much of its underpinnings with the Nissan Rogue, although a small third-row seat is exclusive to the Mitsubishi. Acceleration is leisurely but the continuously variable transmission is responsive, and the Outlander managed 25 mpg overall. Handling is quite nimble and secure but the steering is overly light and nervous. The ride is stiff and wind noise is noticeable. The first two rows of seats are comfortable, but the third row is tiny. Most controls are easy to use, including the infotainment system. The joystick-like electronic gear selector, though, suffers from unintuitive labeling. Standard active safety features include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTW, and LDW. The plug-in hybrid, which has been on the previous generation's platform, has also been redesigned. For 2026, the 2.5-liter engine was dropped and replaced with a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo mild hybrid.

2016-2021

2016 Redesign Year

Mitsubishi's small SUV alternates between mediocrity and competitiveness. The original Outlander was powered by a noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which delivered unimpressive acceleration and fuel economy. Handling suffered from overly light steering and pronounced body lean. A 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall. Responsive steering with good driver feedback gave the Outlander a sporty feel. An optional third-row seat was unusual for the class. A 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Emphasizing utility on a budget, the third-row seat became standard. A plug-in hybrid joins the line in 2018. Updates for 2020 included standard forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning on all but the base trim. For 2021, the Outlander only comes as a plug-in hybrid that has been updated to a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with an upgraded electric motor that provides a combined output of 221-hp. It can do a claimed 24-miles on electric power before switching to hybrid mode. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 engines have been dropped. Outdated and outclassed, the Outlander struggles to compete. A tiny third-row seat, that is a high point, is not offered in the plug-in hybrid. When we tested the Outlander with the four-cylinder engine, its ride felt too buoyant and not tied-down. Handling was clumsy, with slow steering response and lots of body lean in corners.

2014-2015

2014 Redesign Year

Emphasizing utility on a budget, the 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Compared to the previous Outlander, this retooled model handles clumsily, tending to lumber through corners feeling like a larger vehicle than it is. The cabin is noisy, the front seats aren't supportive enough, and interior trim looks cheap and feels insubstantial. On the plus side, the third-row seat became standard. Overall though, we see little reason to consider buying the Outlander.

2007-2013

2007 Redesign Year

The 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV with a refined and responsive powertrain. The interior is roomy and offers a tiny third-row seat, which is an unusual option in this category. A backup camera integrated into the navigation system is another welcomed optional feature. Alert steering with good driver feedback gives this edition of the Outlander a sporty feel to accompany its agile handling. However, to accomplish this, ride quality is on the stiff side. Road noise is pronounced too. Fit and finish are also a bit of a let down. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall.

2003-2006

2003 Redesign Year

Over the years, Mitsubishi's small SUV has alternated between mediocrity and competitiveness. As an example, while ride quality is reasonably comfortable, the 2003 version of the Outlander doesn't compete well with the best models in this class. Although it has reasonable passenger space; acceleration, handling, and fuel economy are all unimpressive. However, it should be noted side airbags were made standard for the 2006 model year.