2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport gets modest styling, powertrain enhancements

Fri, 13 Jun 2014

Mitsubishi sales continue to show progress in 2014. In fact, sales were up 54.17 percent in the US in May compared to last year. In hopes of keeping those numbers in the black, the Japanese automaker is introducing some mechanical upgrades to the Outlander Sport, its best-selling model, for the 2015 model year.

The biggest change for the 2015 Outlander Sport is its improved CVT that offers better fuel economy. Front-wheel-drive models with the upgraded CVT get an estimated improvement of 1 mile per gallon across the board to 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined; all-wheel drive models get an estimated 1 mpg better on the highway and in the combined rating, bringing the numbers up to 24/30/27 mpg. Mitsubishi claims the new transmission is the equivalent of fitting the Outlander Sport with a seven-speed automatic. The five-speed manual is still also available on the front-wheel drive ES trim, rated at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. All models also get electric power steering, and the company reports that the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is enhanced as well, but still makes the same 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque from last year.

The 2015 Outlander Sport also sees some very minor aesthetic improvements. The audio panel inside now has piano black and silver trim, and the SE trim comes with LED running lights. Also, the interior gets thicker glass in the side windows and more noise insulation for a quieter ride.

Obviously, none of these changes are earth-shattering, but they show that Mitsubishi is at least putting in effort to improve its lineup for US consumers. Scroll down to read the full announcement about the 2015 Outlander Sport.

2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT AT-A-GLANCE
11/06/14

What's New for 2015

Next-generation continuously-variable transmission (equivalent to a 7-speed transmission)
Better response and performance from a standing start with upgraded CVT
Improved fuel economy at an estimated 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined (2WD models) and 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined (4WD models)*
New Carbon audio panel trim; thicker front door window glass & new rear quarter panel sound insulation material for less noise intrusion; next-generation Electric Power Steering (all models)
New high-gloss piano black with silver accent audio trim panel; stylish-looking LED running lights; relocated heated front seat switch for easier accessibility (SE model)

For the 2015 model year, Mitsubishi Motors' perennial best-seller – the eye-catching Outlander Sport 5-passenger compact crossover – receives some key aesthetic and engineering improvements to help maintain its reign as the company's #1-selling model.

The very capable MIVEC variable valve-timing-equipped 148 horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter-based 4-cylinder drivetrain also receives numerous design enhancements to further boost its performance.

What's more, rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as a "Top Safety Pick" the previous three model years, the Outlander Sport is also one of the safest compact crossover/SUV models.

Available in either 2WD or 4WD – Mitsubishi Motors' acclaimed driver-selectable, electronically-controlled All-Wheel Control (AWC) four-wheel drive system – and with a solid-shifting 5-speed manual (ES 2WD model) or the sophisticated CVT transmission, every 2015 Outlander Sport model comes equipped with a plethora of important safety features and technologies: seven (7) air bags; Active Stability Control (ASC) with Hill Start Assist (HSA); Traction Control Logic (TCL); a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

An additional layer of occupant protection is afforded by Mitsubishi Motors' advanced Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) patented safety body construction system that absorbs energy to help provide protection to the vehicle's occupants.

Every 2015 Outlander Sport includes one of the best protection plans in the entire auto industry: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty; 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty; 7-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty; and 5-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance.

Key Specifications

Wheelbase: 105.1 in.
Length: 169.1 in.
Height: 64.2 in.
Width: 69.7 in.
Engine: DOHC MIVEC 2.0-liter inline-4
Horsepower: 148 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 145 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual or Sportronic® continuously-variable transmission (CVT)
Dynamics: Anti-Lock Brake System w/ Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist (HSA), Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL) and Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Wheels: 18 x 7-in. aluminum alloy
Maximum Tires: 225/55R18 all-season radials
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway* (ES and SE 2WD with CVT)
24 mpg city/30 mpg highway* (ES 2WD with 5-speed manual)
24 mpg city/30 mpg highway* (ES and SE with AWD)
Major Standard Features:

Air conditioning with pollen filter
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Chrome grille surround
18-in. alloy wheels
Soft-touch instrument panel trim
4 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system
Roof carrier plug-in accommodation
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Active Stability Control (ASC)
Heated outside mirrors
Advanced front air bag SRS with passenger weight and driver's seat position sensors, front seat mounted side-impact air bags and curtain side air bags with roll-over sensors
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
60/40 split folding and reclining high-back rear seats with armrest and cup holder
Remote keyless entry with panic feature
Center room lamp
Rear intermittent wiper
High-contrast gauge meters with full-color LCD Multi-Information Display
FUSE Hands-Free Link System® w/USB port
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel

6-way manually adjustable driver's seat
Power door locks and side view mirrors
Power windows with driver's one-touch up/down
Steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise control
Two 12-volt power outlets
SE adds over ES:

Super-wide beam High-Intensity Discharge (S-HID) headlights,
6 speaker 6.1-in. touchscreen display audio system
SIRIUSXM® satellite radio with 3-month pre-paid subscription
HD Radio®
Rearview camera
FAST-key passive entry system
One-touch Start/Stop (OSS) engine switch
Large center console with sliding armrest
Heated front seats
Rain-sensing wipers
Auto on/off headlight control
Fog lights with LED running lights
Chrome exterior beltline molding
Automatic climate control
Exhaust outlet with chrome tip
Outlander Sport Options:

Deluxe Package (SE) adds: Leather seating surfaces; power-adjustable driver's seat.

Premium Package (SE) adds: Panoramic glass roof with adjustable LED mood lighting; black roof rails; 710-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium sound system with 9 speakers including 10-in. dual-voice coil subwoofer with Punch Control®, DTS® Neural Surround, PremiDIA-WIDE® surround, and Dolby® Volume; auto dimming rearview mirror; power-adjustable driver's seat.

Touring Package (SE) adds: MMCS Navigation system with 7-in. high definition touch panel, voice command, 3D mapping, point-of-interest information and real-time traffic; leather seating surfaces; panoramic glass roof with adjustable LED mood lighting; black roof rails; 710-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium sound system with 9 speakers including 10-in. dual-voice coil subwoofer with Punch Control®, DTS® Neural Surround, PremiDIA-WIDE® surround, and Dolby® Volume; auto dimming rearview mirror; power-adjustable driver's seat.

Exterior Package adds: Large rear spoiler; front and rear undercover; alloy fuel door.

Interior Package adds (CVT only): Piano black gear shift panel overlay; aluminum-alloy & leather combination shift knob.

LED Illumination Package adds: Front floor illumination (Blue LED); tailgate light (Blue LED); LED Interior lights.

Protection Package adds: Bright tailgate protector; rear bumper plate; color-keyed body side moldings; scuff plate covers.

Wind Deflector Package adds: Hood protector; side wind deflectors.

Park Assist Sensor Package adds: Front and rear park assist sensors (color-key).

Cargo Package adds: Reversible cargo mat; cargo net; tonneau cover.

All Weather Package adds: Remote engine start; all-weather floor mats (4).

Navigation Package adds: MMCS Navigation system with 7-in. high definition touch panel, voice command, 3D mapping, point-of-interest information, real-time traffic and Mapcare®.

Black Wheel Arch Moldings

Alloy Fuel Door

Roof Rack Crossbars

Body Side Moldings (color-keyed)

All-weather Floor mats (4)

Fog Lights

LED Daytime Running Lights with corner extensions

Rear Park Assist Sensors (color-keyed)

Wheel Locks

Mudguards

*Preliminary estimated fuel economy numbers pending final determination by the EPA.

By Chris Bruce