While Mitsubishi's Outlander got a whole new front-end look for 2010, what it really needed was a remake of its base four-cylinder engine, which is weak and doesn't get good gas mileage, either.

Some problems with a car can be overlooked if there are enough positives to overcome them. The Outlander has its positives, but the four-cylinder engine and transmission drag down the driving experience too much to warrant consideration. Fortunately, the Outlander can have an optional V-6 powertrain that delivers better performance.

I tested a midlevel four-wheel-drive Outlander 2.4 SE with an as-tested price of $27,140.

• The Look
• Four-Cylinder Power (Or Lack Thereof)
• Ride & Handling
• The Inside
• Safety
• Outlander in the Market