2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005, was still in its second generation. The current generation, introduced in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018, which carried over into 2021. This refresh included the dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. A plug-in hybrid variant was introduced in 2020, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control to the high-end SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and 22-inch alloy wheels.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured bold front styling with the “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, presenting a balanced and appealing design. Mitsubishi offered the Outlander in ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, SEL, and SEL Launch Edition trims, all with 20-inch wheels as standard or optional. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD and the Touring Package, was luxuriously outfitted with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some interior plastics reminded users of its compact crossover SUV segment.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 powertrain, rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains, with the P400e plug-in hybrid delivering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had an even more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with height-adjustable air suspension and a Terrain Response system. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system available. The Outlander offered Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud driving modes, though Eco mode made the vehicle feel sluggish. The Outlander felt most responsive in lower-speed urban environments, but its performance was lacking on freeways and during passing maneuvers. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm over minor pavement anomalies. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA’s 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, but with only 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was tight and best suited for children.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and deeply padded armrests. The driver’s seat featured an eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats and the steering wheel were heated. The rear seat was generous, with good thigh support and a proper seating position. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children, with only 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third row down provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and the maximum cargo capacity was 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof, or 78.3 cubic feet with it.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, though it featured dials for multiple functions and a real volume button. The touchscreen layout was simplified, with icons for switching between menus and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The Outlander also included wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled to understand commands while driving, likely due to road noise and tire slap.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured Mi-Pilot Assist, a hands-on Level 2 driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. It included forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems were intrusive but worked well with Mi-Pilot Assist active. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.