Making A More Powerful Choice

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Let’s talk choices, shall we?

You have a lot of choice when it comes to your next SUV. You can choose one based on size, performance, capacity, capability, and price. In the compact-to-midsize segment, your choices narrow. However, a few things stand out – including value for money.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a familiar vehicle to this website. It offers high value for what you get. With three-row seating and mid-size space, the Outlander is priced thousands less than contemporary rivals.

Once you settle on an Outlander, you have several choices to make. Mitsubishi offers six different trim levels for the 2020 Outlander, along with two engine choices and two drive systems.

Which one is right for you? Why not start at the top?

The 2020 Outlander GT offers plenty of features for this choice in the lineup. It is the only Outlander with the 224-horsepower 3.0-liter V6, a six-speed automatic transmission, and standard Super All-Wheel Control. It is also loaded with standard equipment, including a suite of driver assistance features. It can also tow up to 3,500 pounds.

These features and specifications are all well and good. But, is it the right choice to make when you’re looking at a Mitsubishi Outlander?

I had plenty of experience with the Outlander GT over the years.  I’ve always found it to be the most robust model in the lineup. The reasons have already been stated above. But, I must start somewhere…

The 224-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 is a great match for the Outlander. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder can do the job with this lightweight SUV. However, the V6 makes better use of the Outlander GT’s 3,582-pound curb weight. Acceleration is good and it maintains cruising speed with ease. It also handles the load, whether it is loaded with passengers or a day’s haul from the garden center.

For those who are not fans of the continuously variable transmission, you can still get a six-speed automatic gearbox on the Outlander GT. The For those who are not fans of the continuously variable transmission, you can still get a six-speed automatic gearbox on the Outlander GT. The difference is smoother shifts that revs very well. The V6 engine and automatic transmission is also designed to tow up to 3,500 pounds using a conventional hitch. A pop-up camper trailer would be perfect for towing with the Outlander GT. 

As for fuel economy, the Outlander GT is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 20 MPG in the city; 27 MPG on the highway.

Coupled to that transmission is Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system, standard on the Outlander GT. This is perhaps one of the best all-wheel-drive systems out there. When it comes to traction, the S-AWC system can set to maximize grip during a snowstorm or on some rural gravel roads. There is an S-AWC Eco mode that works to maximize efficiency while providing the right amount of traction down to the road.

Another good reason to consider the Outlander GT is the standard suite of driver assistance features that are designed to keep this SUV from getting into harm’s way. Driver assistance features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Multi-View Camera System, Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist. These features are among the reasons why the Outlander GT was rated an overall five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

One such feature I did not mention earlier is the new Mitsubishi Power Sound System, replacing the Rockford Fosgate system that had been equipped on this model in years prior. The old system was driven mostly by the subwoofer, whereas I heard more of a balance with MPSS. That is truly music to my ears.

The MPSS is driven by an eight-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio interface.  This is easily coupled to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with a clear display and ease of operation. While you have touch capacitive buttons on the lower part of the screen, there are redundant controls on the steering wheel for quick track or preset change and volume control.

You can seat up to seven people inside the Outlander. Child seats are easy to install through the LATCH anchors found on the second row. The third row is split 50/50 and folds down flat for ease of cargo loading behind the second row of seats. Once you folded down both the third and second row you have up to 64.2 cubic feet of that garden center haul I mentioned before.

As a tall-ish driver, I found great comfort in the first two rows. Front seats in the GT offer power adjustments for height, recline, rake, and lumbar support. The leather upholstery is good to the touch – not too soft or hard. You do get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel for those Minnesota winters on the Outlander GT.

Second row room is exceptional and versatile. Because you have a third row of seats, the second row is adjustable for rake and recline. If you don’t need to use the third row, slide the second row back for great leg and headroom.

Let’s talk pricing. The base price on the Outlander GT S-AWC is $33,745. My tester came with a sticker price of $35,740. This is the best value you get in a three-row SUV with a V6 engine and all-wheel-drive.

The Outlander GT is a feature-rich SUV with great value. It also offers that extra performance for towing or highway cruising. Should you choose the V6-powered GT over a four-cylinder Outlander? Think of what you can take with you on your next adventure. Then, make your choice.

I bet you’ll choose the Outlander GT.

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by White Bear Mitsubishi, White Bear Lake, MN

All photos by Randy Stern