The Outlander's steering response is one of its best attributes. The wheel has a nice weight to it — heavy enough, without being a chore to turn — and the Outlander reacts quickly to steering-wheel adjustments. The overall setup is among the best in the small-crossover segment.

Less appealing is the Outlander's ride quality. The suspension is pretty successful at limiting body roll when cornering, but you pay for it when the road gets rough.

From the driver's seat, it doesn't feel like the suspension provides a whole lot of bump absorption — especially when you hit large ones, which really jostle the cabin — and there's also quite a bit of suspension noise. A little more damping would definitely be appreciated, but the Outlander cruises smoothly on relatively decent roads. In this class, a little extra ride comfort would more than make up for any loss in handling capability.