2023 Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Outlander Sport
Although their names are similar, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have many differences. Both 2023 Mitsubishi SUVs at Don Robinson offer great value for families in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but one of them will fit your needs better. Take a look at these differences to decide which.
Differences in size and seating
The Outlander is considered a compact SUV, while the Outlander Sport is one class lower in size: a subcompact SUV. The larger vehicle has three rows of seats to fit up to seven passengers, while the smaller Outlander Sport only fits five people across two rows.
A quick glance at both SUVs side by side will clearly reveal that the Outlander Sport is the smaller model. It’s four inches squatter in height, 3.5 inches leaner in width, and 13.5 inches shorter in length.
Those differences in exterior measurements translate to differences in seating space, too. Passengers have an extra inch of headroom and two inches of hip room in the Outlander. And, second-row passengers in the Outlander have substantially more legroom than in the rear row of the Outlander Sport.
Differences in cargo space
What about cargo space? Even though the Outlander Sport is smaller, its lack of a third row of seats gives it 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the back — compared to only 11.7 cubic feet behind the Outlander’s last row.
If you collapsed that third row in the Outlander, though, you’ll have 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space and seating for five people. So, either way, the 2023 Outlander can hold more passengers or more cargo than the Outlander Sport.
So what does all this mean for you? The larger Outlander will suit taller, heavier adults in the front as well as teenagers or young adults in the second row; the third row can be used for small children or extra cargo space. Shorter or smaller adults won’t have a problem in the front row of the Outlander Sport, but its second row is better suited to children.
Differences in performance
Both SUVs come standard with an inline-four engine and CVT, though the Outlander’s motor has much larger displacement that leads to stronger power levels and — surprisingly — better fuel economy. Even though the 2023 Outlander is bigger, the EPA rated it to have better fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic and far more efficient performance on highways: 1 mpg greater in cities and 5 mpg greater on highways.[1]
The Outlander’s engine produces 30 more horsepower at its peak and 35 extra torque, which is unleashed at lower RPMs than the Outlander Sport can. That extra power is necessary to move the larger Outlander, which weighs 400 pounds heavier. And, it allows the Outlander to tow up to 2,000 pounds, which the Outlander Sport is not equipped to do. Otherwise, their underpinnings are nearly identical.
Here’s a perk of driving the smaller Outlander Sport: Every trim level comes standard with all-wheel control, which you have to pay extra for to get on any trim of the 2023 Outlander. That extra rear-wheel stability can be invaluable here in St. Cloud where winter ice and snow are treacherous on the roads.
Differences in price
Due to their differences, it’s no surprise that the 2023 Outlander costs a bit more money than the 2023 Outlander Sport does. Looking at their MSRPs, the base-model 2023 Outlander costs around $4,500 more than an entry-level 2023 Outlander Sport.[2]
The subcompact SUV caps off pretty quickly, too. A fully loaded, top-tier Outlander Sport will cost you approximately as much as a bare-bones Outlander—though, thankfully, the Outlander provides a handful of added standard features for that expenditure.
Now the flipside: Across the lineup of trim levels, the Outlander offers far more variety — especially at high-end configurations. You can order the 2023 Outlander in special versions like the Black Edition or 40th Anniversary Edition that aren’t offered on the Outlander Sport. At its finest, the Outlander far outshines the economic Outlander Sport in terms of luxury and prestige.
Which SUV sounds like the better companion for your daily drives? Bring your family to Don Robinson Mitsubishi to test-drive both the Outlander and Outlander Sport around the streets of St. Cloud.
[1] 2023 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates: 24 City/31 Highway for Outlander ES, SE, SEL 2WD, 24 City/30 Highway for Outlander ES, SE & SEL S-AWC. 23 City/29 Highway/26 Combined for Outlander Sport ES, LE, SE 4WD; 23 City/28 Highway/25 Combined for Outlander Sport GT 4WD. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.
[2] Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license etc. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your Mitsubishi retailer for details.