Engine Types

With seven trims to choose from, consumers have a little more options to choose from. Most of these are simple variations – ES with two-wheel drive (2WD), ES with All-wheel Control (AWC), LE with 2WD, LE with AWC, SE 2WD, SE AWC, finally ending with the GT AWC trim. The standard engine on all but the GT is a 2.0-liter MIVEC DOHC engine, optimized with Mitsubishi Motors own variable valve timing system (VVT), for better performance and fuel efficiency. This engine generates 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Going up to the GT, under the hood is a 2.4-liter MIVEC DOHC engine, with a small boost for 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque.

Driving and Handling

Mitsubishi Motors has worked on many types of transmissions, but when the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) was made, it became the new staple. As such, every engine is tied to an automatic CVT, standard. Because of this, the effect on fuel economy mostly comes from the drivetrain. All the 2WD trims have an EPA of 24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway. All AWC trims except the GT get 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, with the GT having an EPA of 28 on the highway. Regardless, the difference between either is marginal at best.

Exterior Features

Known for loading up its vehicles, Mitsubishi pulls no punches on the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Standard across the lineup, consumers will find automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, heated exterior mirrors, front rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, and all-season tires. Now that’s the way to sell a crossover. The major differences are power-folding mirrors, found on the SE trims and up and whether it comes with two-tone alloy wheels or black painted alloy wheels. Not the biggest deal breaker out there – how often does one fiddle with their mirrors, anyways?

Interior Features

The 2021 Outlander Sport is a little different through the cabin with its features and tech. Some of the goods have to separate one from the other, but all trims come with a 6-way adjustable driver seat, 4-way adjustable passenger seat, 60/40 split-bench folding rear seat, rear-heater floor ducts, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview, remote keyless entry, and soft touch materials across the dashboard and instrument panel. Amenities like heated front seats start on the LE trim, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The GT trim comes with a leather-wrapped parking lever. The LE (Limited Edition?) comes with red-stitching throughout the steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake lever.

Entertainment

Did we mention the level of technology in the Outlander Sport in 2021? Standard across the lineup is an HD radio, Bluetooth wireless tech, steering wheel audio and phone controls, and a rearview camera. The ES trims come with a 7-inch display screen for the radio, but the LE trims and up come with the new 8-inch smartphone-link display audio (SDA) system, offering Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM. Standard on the ES and LE trims is a 4-speaker system, whereas the SE trims and the GT come with a six-speaker system. A Rockford Fosgate premium sound system may also be available later in the year. Steering wheel voice recognition control comes on the LE trim and all those afterwards, but FAST-key entry and push-button start are saved for the SE trims and the GT.

Safety Features and Warranty

Mitsubishi Motors knows safety. That’s why every vehicle comes with advanced dual-stage front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, stability and traction control systems, and LATCH child seat system, an anti-theft engine immobilizer, and RISE body construction to protect all the passengers. These are just the basics. All trims also come with forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, an anti-lock braking system, and lane departure warning. SE trims and the GT trim come with blind sport warning with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.

All Mitsubishi Motors vehicles come with a 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-miles, anti-corrosion protection for 7-years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first), and  roadside assistance coverage for 5 years with unlimited miles.