As a newcomer to the congested small crossover segment, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport faces stiff competition, but its packaging and value proposition are undeniably attractive. We review the range-topping 1.5 Exceed derivative.
We like: Exceptional value, interior fit and finish, fuel efficiency, road manners.
We don’t like: Not the fastest thing around, no ADAS.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 1.5 Exceed
- Price: R499 990 (June 2025)
- Engine: 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol
- Transmission: CVT
- Power/Torque: 77 kW/141 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 13.6 sec (claimed)
- Claimed consumption: 6.2 L/100 km (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 480 litres
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Where does the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport fit in?
After soldiering on with the ASX for a long time, Japanese brand Mitsubishi finally has a new model with which to compete in the sub-R500k small crossover/compact family car segment of the South African new-vehicle market. It’s the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which is known as the Xforce in other markets.
There are 4 derivatives in the line-up of the Indonesian-built Outlander Sport. Prices (in June 2025) start from R430k and go up to just under R500k for the flagship Exceed derivative, which we review here.
The model, which shares its platform with the 7-seat Xpander Cross, is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that drives the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Mitsubishi has applied its bold “Robust and Ingenious” design language – characterised by the “Dynamic Shield” front-end execution – to make its new Triton and SUV models look distinctive, but the Japanese brand’s compact models have tended to look less than modern, chic and desirable. Well, no more.
Whereas some small crossovers have eye-catching styling, most of them look derivative, utilitarian and inoffensive, at best. Style may be subjective, but the Outlander Sport looks fresh and spunky; while the 1.5 Exceed was in our test fleet, several onlookers made positive comments about its appearance.
This segment is packed with competitively priced, quality offerings; consumers are spoiled for choice.
Compare the Outlander Sport’s specs with those of the Toyota Corolla Cross and Volkswagen T-Cross
Compare the Outlander Sport’s specs with those of the Omoda C5 X and Haval Jolion Pro
We’ve included what we regard as the segment’s main protagonists above, but also consider the Korean cousins: Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, as well as Renault’s Captur and Duster duo. To reiterate, there is a plethora of accomplished models (all well matched in terms of features and powertrains) to choose from.
How the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport fares in terms of…
Features and Practicality
If you glance at the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport‘s spec sheet, you’ll see all 4 variants are well-appointed with convenience, tech and safety features; even the GL and GLS variants aren’t sparsely specced.
Still, we think buyers should aim for the Aspire and Exceed variants. They come fitted with pleasant synthetic leather seats, keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, auto lights and wipers, a powered tailgate, and ambient cabin lighting.
For a R20k premium over the Aspire, this derivative – the flagship 1.5 Exceed – mainly offers a better-than-expected Yamaha Premium Dynamic audio system, which is equipped with 8 speakers.
For “the digitally savvy”, the infotainment system incorporates wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and our takeaway is that Mitsubishi has laced the modern, well-laid-out interior with convenience features.
Sure, some would say the infotainment system (unlike anything we’ve experienced before) is gimmicky, but it’s intuitive enough, plus our team liked it. With the Top Gun intro music blasting through the Yamaha system, the Avionics mode (for critical car functions, shown below) created a fun, nostalgic ambience.
The cabin’s build quality is impressive for this price point, and ergonomics are sound. To avoid a boring monotone finish, Mitsubishi placed a grey-fabric-covered strip across the dashboard, as well as a neat light-brown inlay, which adds interesting contrast. We do wonder how long it’ll all stay clean, though.
In terms of safety equipment, the 1.5 Exceed features 6 airbags, stability control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and tyre-pressure sensors. We would have liked to see automatic emergency braking included, but understand that that would have hiked the price.
When it comes to practicality, the Outlander Sport gets the basics spot on. The rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 configuration and can recline slightly for additional aft-occupant comfort on long trips.
Unlike most small crossovers, the Outlander Sport offers good rear legroom (even for adults), which we attribute to its 2 650 mm wheelbase, which is near the longest in class. There are myriad little storage pockets dotted around the cabin; the device pouches at the tops of the front seatbacks are genius!
Mitsubishi doesn’t state how much utility space the Outlander Sport offers, but 480 litres (with the rear seats up) gives it segment honours. Note, though, that the 1.5 Exceed comes with a 16-inch space-saver wheel (we assume there’s a subwoofer that takes up space), while the Aspire has a full (18-inch) spare.
Ride and Handling
We feel that Mitsubishi has tried to play up the “Sport” part of the vehicle’s moniker and, as a result, the 1.5 Exceed‘s ride quality is a trifle firm, even if its 18-inch alloys are wrapped in plump 225/50 tyres.
That said, we conducted a little experiment by tweaking the test unit’s tyre pressures slightly (we reduced them from 2.4 to 2.2 bar) and that helped to soften the Outlander Sport’s ride somewhat.
It may share its platform with the Xpander Cross, but the Outlander Sport feels markedly different in execution. Even at triple-digit kph, it exhibits impressively low levels of noise, vibration and harshness.
In terms of handling, the Outlander Sport’s steering and suspension tune again lean towards the dynamic side of things, but it doesn’t make the Mitsubishi less comfortable to drive. The steering is reasonably direct and quick; it may be devoid of feedback, but it’s near-perfectly suited for the daily commute.
There are plenty of reminders in the cabin that Mitsubishi has plenty of off-road pedigree and legacy, including a readout that shows the pitch and roll, but remember, this vehicle is front-wheel drive only.
But the Outlander Sport does have a trick up its sleeve for travelling on dirt roads – more than 220 mm of ground clearance! For reference, the Suzuki Jimny, which is a pukka little off-roader, offers 210 mm…
Finally, the Outlander Sport has 4 drive modes to choose from, but note they’re not the usual Comfort, Eco and Sport, but rather Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud. These modes alter the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal, stability-control intervention, and the distribution of torque between the front wheels.
Does it all work? Well, we’ll be perfectly honest and admit that we didn’t give the system a strenuous test (for fear of damaging Mitsubishi’s sole demo unit on the mud-caked dirt roads of the Western Cape)…
But, for what it’s worth, our photoshoot took place on a gravel road that is perilously slippery when you traverse it at a briskish pace. At no point did the car lose composure when in Gravel mode, so job done.
Disclaimer: This, the Outlander Sport, is not the vehicle in which you should channel your inner Tommi Mäkinen (the Finn who won 4 WRC drivers’ championships on the trot for Mitsubishi in the late Nineties).
Performance and Efficiency
With unremarkable peak outputs of 77 kW and 141 Nm, the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine (mated with a CVT) does not endow the Outlander Sport with, shall we say, energetic performance.
According to our test equipment, it accelerated from zero to 0-100 kph in a leisurely 12.33 sec (but at least it was quicker than the 13.6-sec claimed time). Suffice it to say, the 1.5 Exceed’s “punch” won’t set your heart racing, but we found ourselves asking: “Well, how often do you need to accelerate hard?”
The answer is: “Not very often!” Besides, the Mitsubishi excels at cruising gently in dense traffic (where you simply need to maintain momentum). The CVT is tailor-made for keeping the engine at that perfect sweet spot where it delivers power/torque with optimal fuel economy. Sure, if you flatten the long pedal, you will experience that typical CVT drone at high revs, but the Outlander Sport will respond adequately.
In this particularly price-sensitive segment, low running costs are vital. Although we drove spiritedly during our performance test, the Outlander Sport consistently returned 7.4 L/100 km, which wasn’t too far off Mitsubishi’s claim of 6.2 L/100 km. Yes, its turbopetrol rivals may offer punchier performance, but they’ll struggle to return less than 9 L/100 km around town, so we think the tradeoff is worthwhile.
Outlander Sport price and after-sales support
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 1.5 Exceed retails for R499 990 (June 2025). The price includes a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
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See also: Mitsubishi Specs & Prices in South Africa
Verdict
The Outlander Sport delivers plenty of comfort and refinement, allied with an impressive number of features, at a price that seems almost too good to be true. The weak link is the engine’s lack of punch, but we’d rather have a small crossover with impressive fuel consumption than turbocharged shove.
Should you buy one? Intense competition from new Chinese competitors has obligated legacy car brands to optimise their offerings, and Mitsubishi, with its stellar reputation for reliability, has positioned the Outlander Sport to take the fight to its rivals and beat them at their own game: value for money.
Most new models that we assess at Cars.co.za are more-than-competent offerings, but the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is certainly above par for the segment and pleasantly surprised us in several ways.
There’s an awful lot to like here, including attractive packaging, build quality (again, at the price), refined road manners, comprehensive spec, and admirable practicality – all at a very reasonable price. If you’re shopping in the R500k compact SUV segment, the Outlander Sport deserves to be on your shortlist.
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