When it comes to cars, we’re told to equate masculinity with excess. If you were a “real” man you’d go for either a giant, gas-guzzling truck or a fast but impractical sports car. But what is you are a practical man, a man who likes efficiency? What if you just want to be comfortable? What if you are a man who likes nothing better than to surround himself with luxury? Luckily there’s no such thing as a real man. A man is a man is a man, and a car is a car as a car. And a man can completely defy all stereotypes, and be more than the sum of his parts. So too, can a car.
Enter the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander.
In the new Mitsubishi Outlander, they started with the basics. You know, comfort and quality — the cost of entry for almost any car worth owning. And then added all the techie detailing such as a next-generation navigation system, panoramic sunroof, power driver’s seat, and a remote tailgate lift button.
Some guys are weight conscious. So is the Outlander. It’s lost 200 lbs. this year, and boy, what a body! Aerodynamic, ergonomic and ooo-la-la.
But Mr. Practical Man is wondering what’s in it for him, and Mitsubishi delivers on that in spades. The re-engineered version of the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system delivers fuel economy that will place the all-new Outlander among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the 7-passenger crossover market.
Of course, there’s no use being practical without being safe, so Mitsubishi goes right ahead and emphasizes that in the 2014 Outlander. High-tech, Bond like gizmo with a camera-based Lane Departure Warning system and radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Mitigation system, as well as Mitsubishi’s extraordinary Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system. The Mitsubishi Outlander also features the FUSE hands-free link system with USB, for voice activation of your cell phone and iPod. Very cool. You will feel protected.
Finally, the Mistubishi folks went on to realize that the ideal-mobile would also include sound, so here comes that awesomeness: a 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate® premium audio system with DTS Neutral Surround, PremiDIA® Surround and Dolby Volume features with 9 speakers including 10-inch subwoofer.
The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is an example of how a vehicle can meet all of the needs a man has for his car—safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and an eye-catching cool exterior. With a host of extras that make it complex and different. All at a competitive price for the cost-conscious guy. If we weren’t trying to break gender stereotypes apart here, we’d say it was downright manly.
The 2014 Outlander and the 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition were revealed at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show this past November.
This post was sponsored by Mitsubishi. All opinions are that of the review team.
I really liked the last Outlander but this one just looks sooooo boring. The interior is ok I guess but the exterior is a deal breaker.I’m not saying it has to look like some super aggressive highly stylized car but I just don’t want it to look like something my grandma would drive either. The last one wasn’t a powerhouse but didn’t mind because I considered it satisfactory and it still looked cool. . I haven’t looked at the specs of this one but I don’t want to now. Disappointed with this vehicle.