Item: 2006 Mitsubishi Mk.2 Outlander
Rating: 2

Responsive 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine
Refined six-speed automatic transmission
Spacious cargo area

2.4-litre petrol engine lacks low-rev response
Suspension lacks compliance
Body roll when cornering
Steering lacks precision
Cabin lacks sound insulation
Where fitted, cramped third row seats

Review: Mitsubishi ZG Outlander (2006-09)

Overview

Released in November 2006, the Mitsubishi ZG Outlander was a four-wheel drive SUV, available with five or seven seats. Manufactured in Okazaki, Japan, the Outlander was powered by either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 3.0-litre V6 unit. The ZG Outlander range initially consisted of the LS, VR, XLS and VRX variants. During its production, however, there were also limited-run variants such as the Activ, Platinum Edition, Limited Edition, Olympic Edition and RX.

Compared to the Mitsubishi ZE/ZF Outlander which preceded it, the Mk.2 Outlander was 95 mm longer (at 4640 mm), 50 mm wider (1800 mm), 140 mm taller (1740 mm) and had a 45 mm longer wheelbase (2670 mm). The Mk.2 Outlander had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

Mitsubishi ZG Outlander specifications
Engine	Variant	Trans.	Years	Peak power	Peak torque
2.4-litre petrol I4	LS	5sp man.	2006-09	125 kW at 6000 rpm	226 Nm at 4100 rpm
	LS	6sp CVT	2007-09
	XLS	6sp CVT	2006-09
	Platinum Edition	5sp man., 6sp CVT	2008
	Activ	5sp man., 6sp CVT	2009
3.0-litre petrol V6	VR	6sp auto	2006-09	162 kW at 6250 rpm	276 Nm at 4000 rpm
	VRX	6sp auto	2006-09
	RX	6sp auto	2009
	Limited Edition	6sp auto	2008
	Olympic Edition	6sp auto	2008

4WD system

The Mitsubishi Mk.2 Outlander was fitted with an electronically-controlled ‘Active Select’ 4WD system. The Active Select system included a viscous coupling and enabled the driver to choose from:

2WD: front-wheel drive only for fuel efficiency and tarmac driving;
4WD Auto: primarily front-wheel drive, up to 15 per cent of the engine’s torque was directed to the rear wheels when cruising, though up to 40 per cent could be directed to the rear wheels when traction was lost or under full-throttle acceleration; and,
4WD Lock: torque was still apportioned electronically, but rear wheel torque transfer was increased relative to 4WD Auto mode, with up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque capable of being be directed to the rear wheels.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mitsubishi ZG Outlander included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The VRX and all seven seat models were also fitted with front side and full-length curtain airbags, while the VR and VRX were also fitted with traction control and electronic stability control. From December 2007, electronic stability control and traction control were made standard across the range and the XLS was fitted with front side airbags and curtain airbags.

The Mk.2 Outlander was fitted with 292 mm ventilated front brake discs and 300 mm rear brake discs (with drum handbrake assemblies inside the rear discs).

Euro NCAP and ANCAP assessments

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 Outlander with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine – and equipped with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.3 out of 37. In the frontal impact, structures in the dashboard presented a potential risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the front seat occupants. Maximum points were achieved in the side and pole impact tests.

For Australian-delivered Outlanders, however, the design of the glovebox differed and this resulted in a modified assessment. For Outlanders with dual front airbags – but no front side or curtain airbags – a four star adult occupant protection rating was awarded with a score of 31.29. In this assessment, a higher score was applied for the front offset impact test (13.29 out of 16 compared to 12.3), the same side impact score was applied (16 out of 16) and the two points for the pole test were not considered.

For models with curtain airbags, the pole test result was taken into account and this resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.29 out of 37.

Features: Outlander LS and VR

Standard features for the Mitsubishi Outlander LS and VR included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a 12 volt power outlet, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails, trip computer and immobiliser. Inside, the second and third rows of seats (where fitted) could split and fold flat into the floor. From December 2007, the LS and VR were fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels and automatic air conditioning.

Features: Outlander XLS and VRX

The Outlander XLS and VRX were further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, proximity key, rear parking sensors, front fog lamps and cooled glovebox; from December 2007, the XLS and VRX variants were also fitted with Bluetooth connectivity.

From December 2007, the Outlander XLS and VRX variants were also offered in Luxury editions – the XLS Luxury added a nine speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system, DVD player, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights; the VRX Luxury added leather seats, heated front seats, a sunroof and DVD player.

2008 Outlander Limited Edition

In March 2008, a Limited Edition variant was released. Compared to the VR, the Limited Edition was equipped with front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags. Additional features included 18-inch alloy wheels and a rear seat DVD player with display and wireless headphones.

2008 Outlander Olympic Edition

In May 2008, a limited-run Olympic Edition was released. Based on the VRX, the Olympic Edition was equipped with a Rockford Fosgate sound system with iPod integration, the Mitsubishi Multi Communications System (MMCS) which included satellite navigation, a reversing camera and DVD player, leather seats, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity and tinted windows.

2008 Outlander Platinum Edition

In August 2008, a limited-run Platinum Edition was released. Compared to the LS, the Limited Edition was equipped with front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags. Features were also extended to include 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, floor mats and a chrome exhaust tip.

2009 Outlander RX

In February 2009, a limited-run RX variant was released. Compared to the VR variant, the RX was distinguished by its 18-inch RAYS alloy wheels, Rockford Fosgate sound system, a multi-communications system including satellite navigation and a reversing camera, Bluetooth connectivity, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights with washers and proximity key. Visually, the RX was differentiated by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, unique side skirts and chromed doorhandles and mirrors; inside, there were chromed door-pulls and unique seat trims.

2009 Outlander Activ

In August 2009, the limited-run Activ was released. Based on the LS variant, the Activ added a Rockford Fosgate sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, front fog lights, tinted windows, roof rail crossbars, an alloy nudge bar, and ‘Activ’ decals. Visually, the Activ was differentiated by its chrome grille surround.

Review: Mitsubishi ZH Outlander (2009-12)