Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Outlander Sport Differences
Outlander or Outlander Sport? How Mitsubishi’s Two SUVs Stack Up
They share a name and a badge, yet these two Mitsubishi SUVs are built for pretty different lives. One is a small, easy-to-park runabout with all-wheel drive on every trim. The other is a bigger SUV with a third row and a turbocharged mild-hybrid engine. Pick the wrong one and you’ll either feel cramped or haul around seats you never use.
- The Outlander seats seven people across three rows, while the Outlander Sport seats five.
- Under the hood, the Outlander uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid engine, and the Outlander Sport uses a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter four-cylinder.
- Every Outlander Sport comes with All-Wheel Control, while the Outlander offers front-wheel drive or Super All-Wheel Control.
Size and Seating Set Them Apart
The Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Outlander Sport question starts with size. These two sit in different size classes, so this isn’t an apples-to-apples matchup. The Outlander Sport is the smaller two-row model at 171.9 inches long on a 105.1-inch wheelbase. At 185.8 inches on a 106.5-inch wheelbase, the Outlander is noticeably longer.
That extra length buys a third row. The Outlander seats seven, with a 40/20/40 split-folding second row and a third row that folds flat. Five people fit in the Outlander Sport, and it turns in a tighter 34.8-foot circle versus 36.1 feet for an Outlander with S-AWC. You’ll notice that in crowded parking garages.
Engines, All-Wheel Drive, and Fuel Economy
The Outlander runs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It makes 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque through a CVT. The hybrid system can’t run on electric power alone, but it adds some push when you pull away from a stop.
Most Outlander Sport trims use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a CVT. The SEL trim steps up to a larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder.
All-Wheel Control comes standard on every Outlander Sport. The Outlander starts with front-wheel drive. Super All-Wheel Control is optional on most trims and standard on the Trail Edition and RALLIART. The Outlander’s drive mode selector includes a Snow setting, which comes in handy during an Indiana winter.
Funny enough, the bigger Outlander earns better EPA ratings. It’s rated at 26 city, 31 highway, and 28 combined mpg with front-wheel drive, or 26 city, 30 highway, and 27 combined mpg with S-AWC. The Outlander Sport 2.0L is rated at 23 city, 29 highway, and 26 combined mpg, while the 2.4L SEL lands at 23 city, 28 highway, and 25 combined mpg.
Cargo Room and Towing
The Outlander offers 10.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 30.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 64.3 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Behind the Outlander Sport’s second row, you’ll find 21.7 cubic feet, growing to 49.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Need to pull a small trailer? The Outlander can tow up to 2,000 pounds with the factory-installed hitch. Mitsubishi doesn’t list a tow rating for the Outlander Sport.
Tech and Safety Features
Every Outlander gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an eight-speaker Yamaha sound system. Safety gear includes 11 airbags, Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The Outlander Sport uses an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You get seven airbags, Forward Collision Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Warning shows up on the SE and SEL.
Features by Trim Level
Trim names and features can shift a little from year to year, so treat this chart as a guide and check the window sticker on the exact SUV you’re shopping.
| Trim | Engine and Drivetrain | Features Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander, Seats 7 | ||
| ES | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, FWD or S-AWC | 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8-speaker Yamaha audio, 11 airbags |
| LE | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, FWD or S-AWC | 20-inch black alloy wheels, Adaptive Cruise Control, 360-degree camera, wireless phone charger |
| SE | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, FWD or S-AWC | MI-PILOT Assist, power liftgate, Lane Keep Assist, front parking sensors |
| SEL | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, FWD or S-AWC | Leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, digital driver display |
| Trail Edition | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, S-AWC only | 18-inch black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, body protectors, all-weather mats, Mud drive mode |
| RALLIART | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, S-AWC only | RALLIART graphics and trim, rear spoiler, mudflaps, black headliner |
| Black Edition | 1.5L turbo mild hybrid, FWD or S-AWC | Black semi-aniline leather, 20-inch black wheels, head-up display, 12-speaker Yamaha audio |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Seats 5 | ||
| S | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rain-sensing wipers, heated power mirrors |
| ES | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, LED fog lights |
| LE | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | Black 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, black seats with red stitching, rear USB ports |
| SE | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | Keyless entry, push-button start, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, 6-speaker audio, synthetic leather seats |
| RALLIART | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | Rally-themed bumper trim, rocker graphics, black roof spoiler, RALLIART start button |
| Trail Edition | 2.0L four-cylinder, AWC | Dedicated wheels, trail graphics, front, rear, and side protectors |
| SEL | 2.4L four-cylinder, AWC | Leather seats, power driver’s seat, auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink, power-folding mirrors |
Matching the Right Outlander to Your Routine
Got kids in car seats, carpool duty, or a dog that needs its own row? The Outlander makes the most sense. Its third row, bigger cargo hold, and tow rating give a busy family room to grow. It’s also the better pick for highway commuters, thanks to its higher mpg ratings.
The Outlander Sport fits drivers who want all-wheel drive on every trim without the bulk. Its shorter length makes city parking easy, and five seats cover most daily needs. Want leather and a bigger engine in the smaller package? Aim for the SEL.
Test Drive Both Outlanders at Ray Skillman
Specs only tell you so much. Climbing into that third row or loading a stroller tells you a lot more. At Ray Skillman Southside Mitsubishi, you can test drive the Outlander and the Outlander Sport back to back in one visit. Our product specialists can walk you through each trim, and our finance team works with a wide range of budgets and credit histories. After the sale, our factory-trained technicians handle your maintenance, and there are fresh-baked cookies waiting while you’re here.
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