At the bottom of the centre stack is an open bin and 12-volt power outlet where you can store a phone or camera. There’s also a deep storage bin with a USB port and another 12-volt power outlet under the centre armrest. This bin also has a coin tray, tissue holder, and pen holder.

At the rear, the split seatbacks fold down in a three-step process: first pull up on the lever on top of the seatback and flip down the rear head restraint, then flip up the seat cushion against the front seatback, and then fold down the seatback. This provides a completely flat loading surface but it’s a bit of a chore and must be done for both sides. If you don’t want to go to all that trouble, just fold down the seatbacks onto the seat cushions – but it won’t be completely flat.

The cargo area is spacious with 968 litres behind the rear seats and 1,792 L with the rear seats folded down. Still, it lags behind some of its competitors such as the Toyota RAV4 (1,090/2,080L), Ford Escape (971/1,920L) and Nissan Rogue (1,112/1,982L). The cargo area includes a lined floor, plastic side walls, and two large open bins behind the rear wheelwells. A bonus is two very large storage bins underneath the floor that extend the width of the trunk – very handy for storing snow brushes, jumper cables, chains and other stuff you don’t use every day. A sliding privacy cover hides the contents of the cargo area from curious eyes and is removable when transporting bulkier items.

Like all Mitsubishis in Canada, the Outlander comes with an excellent warranty: 5 years or 100,000 km complete and 10 years or 160,000 km powertrain warranty – as well as a 5 years unlimited mileage roadside assistance coverage.

Though not as well-known as other SUVs, the Mitsubishi Outlander competes on just about every level with better-known models, and the changes made for 2016 have improved it.

Warranty:
5 years/100,000 km; 10 years/160,000 km powertrain; 5 years/unlimited distance corrosion perforation; 5 years/unlimited distance roadside assistance

Competitors:
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Renegade
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is built in Mizushima, Japan.

Pricing: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander ES AWC
Base price (ES): $27,998
Options: $4,389.65 (Premium Package $4,000: 18-inch all-season tires and alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather upholstery, power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, touch-screen with 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with six speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, w/3 months subscription, rearview camera, high-contrast tachometer and speedometer, keyless entry and ignition, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink garage opener, silver roof rails, power moonroof with sunshade; Labrador Black Pearl paint $160.00; rear sliding tonneau cover $229.65)
Freight: $1,450
PDI: $250
A/C tax: $100
Price as tested: $34,187.65

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