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The seven-passenger Mitsubishi Outlander compact crossover has been completely redesigned for 2022.

The redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander still has standard three-row seating, along with premium interior features and styling.

Mitsubishi’s three-row Outlander compact crossover moves into a new generation with a complete makeover for 2022. Prices start at just $25,795 (plus $1,195 freight) for the base ES model with front-wheel drive, or $27,575 with all-wheel control (Mitsubishi’s term for all-wheel drive). With room for up to seven people, the Outlander is Mitsubishi’s largest and most-popular vehicle for the U.S. market. It’s available in three basic trim levels. Besides the ES, there is the midlevel SE ($28,845, FWD; $30,645, AWD); and the top-of-the-line SEL ($31,945, FWD; $33,745, AWD).

Our tester for this report was the SEL all-wheel drive with the Touring Package ($2,700), which adds a heated steering wheel, semi-aniline leather seating surfaces, 10.8-inch head-up display, BOSE premium sound system, panoramic power sunroof, and pull-up rear-door sunshades. Franklin, Tennessee-based Mitsubishi Motors North America says the newest Outlander is “the best-equipped, most-connected vehicle” the company has ever sold in the United States.

Besides updated styling and a more-upscale interior, the 2022 Outlander features an array of new standard or optional driver-assistance and high-tech safety features. It’s built on completely new architecture, and comes with a new powertrain. The Super All-wheel Control is an upgraded version of the Outlander’s all-wheel-drive system.

There is a new, more-rugged exterior, with muscular fenders and the chiseled Mitsubishi “Dynamic Shield” grille. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on base models, with 20-inch, two-tone alloy wheels included on our SEL test vehicle. Under the hood of all models is a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, connected to an eight-speed continuously variable automatic transmission with Sport mode This engine produces 181 horsepower and 181 foot-pounds of torque. No optional V-6 engine is available in this new generation. EPA fuel-economy ratings are a respectable 24 mpg city/31 highway/27 combined for front-drive models, and 24/30/26 for all-wheel drive models.

Mitsubishi says the Outlander is the only crossover in its class with standard three-row seating. The Outlander is different from the five-passenger Outlander Sport, which is slightly shorter. The motorsport-derived Super All-Wheel Control, an $1,800 upgrade on any trim level, provides six operator-selectable drive modes to adjust the electronically-controlled four-wheel-drive system to varying road surfaces and conditions. Available modes are Normal, Eco, Mud, Snow, Tarmac and Gravel.

All S-AWC models come with headlight washers and front wiper de-icers. Inside, the Outlander has a premium feel with comfortable, stylish seats and trim, using upscale materials in every trim level. Technology abounds in the new Outlander. There is an available 12.3-inch, full-color LCD digital driver display (included on the SE model with Technology Package and above), a first for Mitsubishi. Also standard are Apple CarPlay (wireless on SE and above) and Android Auto (wired) connectivity. A nine-inch Smartphone-linked Display Audio touch screen is available (standard on our SEL model), and includes a built-in navigation system, satellite radio compatibility, wireless smartphone charging, and Mitsubishi Connect with Safeguard and Remote Services (with a two-year free trial).

Mitsubishi Connect is also available on models with the base 8-inch SDA center touch screen. Our tester’s optional Bose audio system included 10 speakers. MI-Pilot Assist, also standard on our SEL model, includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition to maintain following distance and keep the vehicle centered in its lane. Other safety technology on our SEL included Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Driver Attention Alert, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic High Beams, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, and a Multiview Camera system. Also included were anti-lock brakes, with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist; electronic parking brake, with auto hold; tire-pressure warning with fill alert; front parking sensors; front seat-mounted side air bags; three-row side-curtain air bags; driver and front-passenger knee air bags; second-row child-seat anchors and tethers; and a rear-seat alert system. Interior amenities included the leather seats (upgraded to semi-aniline leather with the Touring Package); leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; machined-aluminum shift panel; front-door accents, with LED interior lighting; heated front and rear seats; eight-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory for the seat and outside mirrors; four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat; and steering wheel audio and phone controls, with voice recognition. 

There is three-zone automatic climate control, USB ports front and rear, a rear-seat center armrest with cupholders, fast-key entry system with pushbutton start, and a 40-20-40 split-folding center-row seat. Exterior features include LED headlights (high and low beam), fog lights and daytime running lights; body-colored front and rear bumpers and heated outside mirrors (with built-in turn indicators); front rain-sensing wipers with intermittent feature; rear-window defroster; capless fuel filter; body-color rear spoiler with LED stop lights; silver roof rails; and a tire repair kit in place of a spare. There is 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third seat, which jumps to 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded. There is 79.7 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear seats folded down.

At the rear is a hands-free power liftgate with adjustable height. Our test vehicle came in the Mercury Gray Metallic exterior color with a black leather interior. The Touring Package also added synthetic quilted-leather door inserts (black and saddle tan). There was surprisingly ample power with the 2.5-liter engine, and the CVT shifted almost imperceptibly, with no gear-hunting on hills. The ride was generally smooth, even on some well-maintained gravel roads. The interior was reasonably quiet. Roadhandling was predictable and precise at highway speeds.

Besides the Touring Package, the only other extras on our tester were the Tonneau Cover ($195) and Welcome Package ($160), which brought carpeted floor mats, center console tray mat, and a touch-up paint pen. Total sticker price for our 2022 Outlander SEL with all-wheel drive was $37,995, including freight and options. Every 2022 Outlander comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty; 5-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty; 7-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty; and 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan. The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner, Emma Jayne Williams, contributed to this report.

The package: Compact, five-door, seven-passenger, gasoline-powered four-cylinder, front- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle. Highlights: Mitsubishi’s flagship seven-passenger SUV gets a complete makeover as it enters a new generation for 2022. The Outlander is longer than the five-passenger-only Outlander Sport, and is the only compact crossovers with standard three-row seating. Negatives: Third-row seat is a tight fit for adults; no optional engine upgrade. Engine: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, gasoline. Transmission: Eight-speed continuously variable automatic. Power/torque: 181 HP./181 foot-pounds. Length: 185.4 inches. Curb weight range: 3,593-3,803 pounds. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock. Cargo volume: 33.5 cubic feet (third seat folded); 11.7 cubic feet (behind third seat). Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds. Electronic stability control: Standard. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted side air bags; and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all rows. Fuel capacity/type: 14.5 gallons/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy: 24 mpg city 31 highway//27 combined (FWD); 24/30/26 (AWD). Major competitors: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Jeep Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Subaru Outback, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage. Base price range: $25,795-$33,745, plus $1,195 freight. Price as tested: $37,995, including freight and options (SEL model, AWD with Touring Package). On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10). Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual sales price may vary.