Halfway through this review, I realized I was convincing myself — one paragraph at a time — that I actually don't like the Mitsubishi Outlander, so I had to reverse course. See, the utilitarian in me wanted to give the crossover a thumbs-up. It's strong on all the practical fronts a family-minded shopper ought to weigh: cargo and seating versatility, reliability, safety, gas mileage and overall value. But so are a number of prominent competitors, and it's when you compare the Outlander with those vehicles that you realize you're left with a car that's far less refined than it ought to be. As a utility vehicle, the Outlander gets the job done. As something you and your family can enjoy day in and day out, it may not be the best choice.

The five- or seven-seat Outlander comes in front- or all-wheel drive (click here to compare it with the 2008 Outlander). Trim levels include the four-cylinder ES and SE, and the V-6 XLE. Last year's LS trim is gone. I drove an all-wheel-drive SE, but I've also driven a V-6 version, a couple years back.

• Not Too Quick
• But Still Fun
• Cabin Quality
• Cabin Quantity
• Reliability, Safety & Pricing
• Outlander in the Market