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"           Mitsubishi Motors was left for dead. After DaimlerChrysler threw the struggling Japanese car company out the proverbial window a few years back, many believed the end of Mitsubishi was inevitable, especially after numerous scandals in Japan devastated its image. But instead of rolling over, Mitsubishi is showing that not only can it survive but actually thrive without a big-name suitor. We got a taste of this new attitude with the revitalized Eclipse last year; the trend continues with the 2007 Outlander.   The Outlander, like the Eclipse, has always been a shining point in Mitsubishi&amp;#039;s lineup. The mini SUV consistently has been one of the company&amp;#039;s best-selling models, with sales of around 22,000 units annually. In 2007, those numbers should rise significantly because the all-new Outlander is a huge improvement over the current model.   Ever since the car-based mini-SUV genre was created, Honda and Toyota have dominated with the CR-V and RAV4, respectively; therefore, Mitsubishi made sure its new Outlander either matched or outdid its key competitors on all fronts.   Power comes from a new all-aluminum 3.0-liter V-6 that pumps out 220 bhp at 6250 rpm and 204 lb.-ft. of torque at 2000. Ninety percent of peak torque is available at 2000 rpm. This 24-valve sohc engine, the only powerplant offered, features MIVEC (Mitsubishi&amp;#039;s variable timing and lift technology) that helps make it as efficient as it is powerful (20/27 city/highway mpg for the 2wd model and 20/26 for awd).   It comes mated to a slick new 6-speed Sportronic transmission\u2014essentially an automatic with a sequential manual mode \u2014 with shift paddles mounted on the steering column. In full automatic mode, the shifts are smooth and seamless; in manual mode, the responses are a bit slow, but it&amp;#039;s still capable of providing extra fun when the road gets twisty.   The first thing you notice when turning the Outlander&amp;#039;s steering wheel is the vehicle&amp;#039;s structural rigidity. Torsional and beam rigidity have improved 18 and 39 percent, respectively, while the suspension system \u2014 MacPherson struts up front and trailing arms at the rear \u2014 has been completely reworked.   Through tight turns, our awd Outlander exhibited excellent balance and stability, with crisp turn-in response and, surprisingly, minimal body roll. Its overall handling character was more akin to a compact sports sedan than something with the ability to carry seven passengers.   Unlike its main competitors, the Outlander has a fold-down third-row seat that can accommodate a couple of jockeys (or small children). With the seat tucked neatly away under the SUV&amp;#039;s cargo floor, there&amp;#039;s enough space to stow a closet full of stuff. The look of the dashboard is attractive and clean \u2014 a big improvement over the current model&amp;#039;s \u2014 with large easy-to-use controls for the stereo and ventilation systems. A 650-watt Rockford Fosgate premium sound system is available as an option.   Gone is the unusual-looking grille of past models. It&amp;#039;s replaced by a simpler, more straightforward design that blends flawlessly with the slim headlights. Flared front and rear wheel arches give the Outlander a sporty stance, while the roof- and beltline flow smoothly from front to rear.   The Japanese public has embraced the new Outlander, both its appearance and roadworthiness; it&amp;#039;s outselling both the RAV4 and CR-V in Japan at the time of writing. Also playing a key factor here is the Outlander&amp;#039;s price. The base Outlander, equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-4, undercuts its rivals by a fair margin. You can expect the same stateside, with prices for the base car expected to start around $22,000. Mitsubishi executives said that the time has come to put the past behind and concentrate on building high-quality cars. And with the Eclipse and now the Outlander, we&amp;#039;d say they&amp;#039;re off to a good start. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a12300/mitsubishi-outlander/>