Mitsubishi CVT transmissions
We owned a 2012 Outlander, which we enjoyed thoroughly. The CVT transmission failed after 112,000 miles, making the vehicle worthless ($8k repair estimates). Has Mitsubishi improved this particular transmission?
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2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Maybe it’s the economy, but the compact crossover segment is one of the hottest in the market. The Outlander Sport by Mitsubishi, now in its second model year, sees few adjustments aside from a few performance and trim tweaks. But maybe it’s also the practicality: The Outlander Sport has some of the heft of an SUV, but more closely aligns itself with hatchbacks in shape and size.
Powered by a 2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, the Outlander Sport comes in two trim levels: the ES and the SE, which may prove confusing to dyslexics. The base ES can come outfitted with 5-speed or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive; the SE is equipped only with the CVT and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Standard features for the ES include 16-inch wheels, keyless entry and a 4-speaker sound system with USB and voice-activated Bluetooth. The SE adds 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights and climate control, amongst other items. With a fuel tank of over 16 gallons, the vehicle is estimated at a decent 25 mpg city/31 hwy with the manual, but slips to 23/25 with the CVT and AWD.
And it’s true many have complained that the name is deceptive—the Outlander Sport's ride is still loud in spite of attempts to quiet the engine, and the CVT is sluggish, although the manual transmission performs better. (The 5-speed gets from 0 to 60 in 8.6 seconds.) The car’s handling gets better marks, with a responsive electronic steering system giving you the feeling of total control.
The interior itself is clean but unremarkable, but that’s okay, especially given the Outlander Sport's price point. The fully-loaded SE AWD comes with a panoramic sunroof, rear-view camera (integrated with rear-view mirror) and 9-speaker stereo system, which make it a relative bargain.
Also, it feels reasonably spacious for people and their stuff, in spite of being on the smaller side for cars of its class (48.8 cubic feet of storage with seats down). Still, when one compares it head-on with its competition, the Outlander Sport seems to be outshone in almost every feature.
Safety-wise, there is good news: The Outlander Sport receives an IIHS Top Safety Pick, along with its sibling the Lancer. It comes equipped with 7 airbags, including a driver's-side knee airbag, something not usually included in this class. Antilock brakes, hill assist and traction control are a few of the other features making it one of the safest compact crossovers out there; it’s something to consider, especially when transporting your family.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
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by Wanderson F
Jul 21, 2022
It looks good, great car sport and it has fair price.Jul 21, 2022
What users have asked
Outlader starting issues
Have a 2012 outlander sport se I believe (bought from a buy here pay here lot) when my car is equipped with an ignition that looks like your standard car and is not a push button start. When I try and start the car with the key fob in my lap like normal it starts right up but when I insert the key into the ignition and try and start it, it will just click a few times and wont let me start it and when I try and start it right after with the key out of the ignition it starts right up
24 views
Door won’t lock but alarm sets
When I lock my car the door doesn’t actually lock, it only sets the alarm. Anyone can walk up to my car, and open the door. The alarm WILL go off, but the door is already open for them to grab my stuff and run. Why doesn’t it actually lock the door? And key fob near or far, it makes no difference.
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Top Comparisons
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2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Pricing
Original MSRP
$18,795 to $23,295Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash Single CD/DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 140 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: aluminum and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 6.47
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front and rear · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Fuse
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rack: with crossbars
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 40GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 710 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 6.47
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front and rear · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Fuse
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rails: black · Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash Single CD/DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 710 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: aluminum and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 6.47 · Transfer Case: electronic
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front and rear · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Fuse
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rails: black · Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent