But Still FunBut Still Fun  - 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Review - Reviews - Mitsubishi Outlander

Green-light power isn't the only ingredient in driving fun — just test a car like the non-turbo Mini Cooper or even Mitsubishi's base Lancer. The Outlander is fun in the same kind of way: The steering wheel requires medium effort to turn at low speeds but yields impressive turn-in precision on curvier stretches, and the nose goes right where you point it, with no vague intermediary motions. On the highway, however, the wheel loosens up and feels a bit too twitchy when pointed straight ahead.

Body roll is well-controlled for a crossover, and the four-wheel-disc antilock brakes exhibit a linear, carlike response. The prior-generation Forester comes to mind as comparably agile; its softer successor falls a bit short.

Even with the SE's 18-inch wheels (versus 16-inchers in the ES), wind and road noise remain controlled at highway speeds. The suspension, however, lacks composure. All three trim levels share the same tuning, and it chatters a lot over potholes and expansion joints. It doesn't do a great job isolating the bad stuff, with noticeable reverberation after major bumps. There are worse examples in this crowd — the RAV4's optional sport-tuned suspension comes to mind — and the Outlander's setup never feels uncomfortably brittle, but it could stand to attend finishing school.

    See also:

    Vehicle dimensions
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    SCV (Speed Compensated Volume) function
    SCV function is a feature that automatically adjusts the VOLUME, BASS, MID, and TREBLE settings in accordance with the vehicle speed. The SCV function can be turned ON and OFF. Refer to “Functio ...

    Manual type
    In order to recline the seatback, lean forward slightly, pull the seatback lock lever up, and then lean backward to the desired position and release the lever. The seatback will lock in that positi ...