Melds bold, sporty design with impressive room and utility
Larger in every respect than the first-generation Outlander it replaces, but still with agile compact dimensions, the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander offers 5- or 7-seat flexibility, clever cargo area packaging and the segment's first flap-fold tailgate. The new Outlander cleverly melds bold, sporty design with impressive room and utility.
Mitsubishi infused the 2007 Outlander design with sport sedan attitude, highlighted by clean, sharp lines, featuring a "diamond cut" front end and boldly sculpted fender flares. The sporty design DNA is carried inside, where the deeply contoured front bucket seats and motorcycle-style instrument panel gauges suggest "sports car" more than sport-utility.
"With its all-new platform and innovative engineering, the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander provides roominess, utility and flexibility that belie the term 'compact,'" said Dan Sims, general manager, Mitsubishi R&D America, Design Center. "You can expect to see this kind of advanced thinking in all our future products."
The 2007 Outlander offers ample room for five, or seven with an underfloor-stowable compact third row seat (XLS models) that folds flat into the floor when not needed. Five-seat models feature an under-floor storage compartment. The second-row seat features 60/40 split fold-and-tumble seats to balance customers' needs for utility, passenger room and comfort. All models feature as standard premium fabric seats with a combination of suede-style knit and sporty mesh.
The second-row seat features both a 60/40 split seatback and a 60/40 split seat cushion. The seat cushions independently provide three inches of fore/aft travel, allowing the customer to maximize passenger room or cargo room as needed. In addition, the seatbacks also recline a few inches independently, allowing second-row passengers to tailor their own comfort. To expand cargo capacity and provide a flat load floor, the second-row seat backs fold forward and then the seats can be tumbled forward into the foot well.
The outer second-row seats include the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), with anchors on the seats rather than the body, enabling the customer to slide the second-row seat holding the child seat to the preferred position.
Expansive Inner Space with Unique Flap-Fold Tailgate
The 2007 Outlander is longer, taller and wider than the model it replaces, with a longer wheelbase (105.1 in. vs. 103.3 in.) that contributes to the second-row legroom. A wider track, in addition to aiding in vehicle stability, also helps to increase hiproom. Careful attention to packaging the multi-link rear suspension, the fuel tank and spare tire enabled Mitsubishi to give the 2007 Outlander a lower cargo floor than in the previous model.
The cargo area is longer and taller than before (with seats folded), and a little over an inch wider. The 2007 Outlander will carry two bicycles inside with their front wheels removed. Rear utility bars (standard on XLS and available for LS) built into the cargo area side walls and four tie-down hooks make it easy to secure large items or bicycles. The utility bars can serve as assist grips when passengers are using the third-row jump seat.
Taking advantage of the low load floor inspired the segment's first flap-fold rear tailgate. Mitsubishi rejected current designs for split tailgates, such as those with separately opening rear glass, because in real-world use, many customers found it inconvenient to lift even some small packages off the ground and through the open glass.
With the Outlander's unique flap-fold tailgate, many customers will find it easy to load packages just by opening the larger upper section. With the upper section open, the smaller lower section then lowers with the push of a small lever, and packages can be more easily lifted to the lower height (just under 24 inches). As the bottom section of the tailgate is lowered, an integral flap slides into place, providing a flat, uninterrupted surface on which it is easy to slide packages into the cargo area. As an additional benefit, when lowered, the flap-fold tailgate can also function as a seat for outdoor activities, with a generous capacity of 440 lbs.
Of special note, the 2007 Outlander's efficient packaging includes under-floor storage of the spare tire. Powered exclusively by a new 220 hp 3.0-liter V-6 engine teamed to a 6-speed Sportronic(R) automatic transmission, the 2007 Outlander can tow a trailer up to 2,000 lbs. as standard and up to 3,500 lbs. with the available towing package.
No Space Left Unused
Augmenting its generous passenger and cargo room, the 2007 Outlander interior also provides numerous storage spaces and features. Starting up front, a dashboard center storage compartment opens with a push of its lid and will hold small items. The large, two-tier glove box is illuminated and lockable and features a card and pen holder in the lower tier. An upper compartment in the head liner stores a pair of sunglasses.
The center console is itself a study in versatility. Its integral armrest features soft padding and can slide 2.5 inches fore/aft to adjust for optimal comfort. Lifting the armrest reveals a tray for a cell phone or other small items. A larger compartment under that tray will hold up to 10 CDs and also houses a 12V accessory power socket. A slot in the tray and armrest provides a pass-through for a power cable. Finally, the underside of the armrest integrates a pocket tissue holder.
Front and rear doors all feature integrated bottle holders that will hold 16-oz. bottles. The center console provides two more cup holders, and there is a slide-out cup holder on each side of the dashboard. A fold-down armrest in the second-row seats features integrated bottle holders.
The designers used every bit of interior space possible. There is a small storage compartment at the top of each wheelhouse, plus a hidden compartment in the right side wall that also houses a 12V accessory power socket. A tonneau cover, standard on XLS models and available on LS models, keeps valuables out of sight.
Odor-Defeating Head Liner
The 2007 Outlander introduces a unique new feature that's sure to enhance the long-term ownership experience: an odor-defeating head liner. The head liner absorbs cigarette smoke odor and decomposes it into water and carbon dioxide. It also absorbs and decomposes formaldehyde. Because the head liner uses catalysis, there is no need to replace it, as you would a filter. To further reduce odors, Mitsubishi also eliminated adhesives and used phenol-free felt in the assembly of interior parts.
Generous standard equipment in Outlander LS includes air conditioning; ambient lighting; cruise control; power windows, locks and mirrors; engine immobilizer and anti-theft alarm system; keyless entry, and a powerful audio system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback capability and six speakers. Outlander XLS models add the underfloor-stowable compact third row seat; automatic climate control system; steering wheel audio remote control switches, and hands-free Bluetooth(R) cellular phone interface system with voice recognition. The available XLS Luxury Package augments interior comfort with leather seating surfaces (front and second rows), heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat.
Premium Warranty
Mitsubishi cars and light trucks are backed by a comprehensive new-vehicle limited warranty that covers the vehicle from bumper to bumper for five years/60,000 miles. In addition, the powertrain is covered by a 10-year/100,000 mile limited warranty, while body panels have a seven-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty.
The program also includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance with free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer for warranty-related repairs for five years/unlimited miles.
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