Nor'West News: March 21, 2024

8
Thursday March 21 2024
Outlander may not excite, won’t disappoint
MITSUBISHI’S mid-size
Outlander is on track to
eclipse, yes that’s the name of
its smaller sibling, and become
the company’s biggest selling
passenger vehicle in New Zealand.
It was second behind the
market-leading Toyota RAV4
on our best selling SUV charts
for 2023. Launched here at the
end of 2021 it arrived here as the
first model off the production
line from the Mitsubishi, Nissan,
Renault Alliance.
Its success provided a dream
start for this partnership.
While the styling doesn’t send
the heart racing, it won’t spark
a bout of yawning. A clean and
uncluttered contemporary lines
are a little to generic to stand out
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
from the automotive crowd, being
more of a blend in type. A facelift
is due in the next 12 months to
provide a welcome visual refresh.
New underpinnings improve
safety, body strength and
steering stability, while multilink
suspension and dual pinion
electric power steering raises the
ride quality and comfort bar.
The Outlander’s 10-year
150,000km new vehicle warranty
is one of the better ones in New
Zealand, although some rivals are
starting to catch-up.
The six model range is evenly
split between two and four-wheel
drive models in three trim levels
LS, XLS and high spec VRX.
Prices start at $41,990 for the
2WD LS and top out at $75,990
Ratings out of 10: Performance 7; Handling 7; Build Quality
8; Comfort 7; Passenger and Load Space 7; Styling 7; Value
for money 7; Safety – Five Star ANCAP crash rating.
Overall points out of 10: 7.5
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
for the flagship PHEV (Plug-in
hybrid electric).
Engine choice is limited to a
135kW 2.5L motor or 185kW
PHEV. Having to haul, depending
on the model, an SUV weighing
anywhere between 1575kg
make is a big ask for this modest
performing motor, but livelier
with the PHEV power train. It’s
mostly under load when driving
over hilly terrain when the
engine’s energy levels begin to flag
and progress slows.
A 245Nm war chest of torque at
3600rpm doesn’t really get the job
done that convincingly. Pleasantly
smooth and responsive on flatter
going, there is enough thrust to
safely waft past slower moving
traffic.
A well resolved eight-speed
sport mode constant variable
transmission is one of Mitsubishi’s
best. Step shift control changes
do a fine job of mimicking a
conventional automatic, with
few slurring gear shifts that were
once an undesirable trait of these
transmissions.
A generously proportioned
passenger compartment earns
top marks for spaciousness,
practicality and being a relaxing
long distance cruiser. Upping the
comfort ante on the test vehicle
were heated seats, three-zone
automatic climate control, and
rear door sunshades.
A 12.3-inch full digital driver
display is Mitsubishi’s first fullscreen,
full-colour liquid crystal
display, projecting a variety of
information on to a large screen
with exceptional clarity. A
customisation function enables a
variety of information to be easily
combined and displayed.
The test vehicle’s six drive
modes are accessed via a centre
console mounted selector, and
range from normal to snow, and
almost everything in-between.
The suspension tune is very
much in-tune with our often
exacting driving conditions
and topography. It makes an
immediate impression with
its strong road holding, even
when you quicken the pace over
demanding undulating roads.
While the striking 20-inch
alloys make a powerful visual
statement, the ride quality suffers,
with more suspension noise at
low speeds over high frequency
bumps found on our urban roads.
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
LOW KMS
2011 SuZuKi SPlASH 5/HATcH
$7,495
1240cc, auto, 111,000kms, alloys.
2011 mAZDA AxelA
$7,995
1500cc, auto, 184,500kms.
2009 TOyOTA iPSum 7 SeATeR
$8,995
2.4, auto, alloys, 81,000kms.
2014 TOyOTA cOROllA Gx HATcH 1.8
$11,995
Auto, NZ new, 176,000kms.
2014 TOyOTA AVeNSiS S/w
$9,995
2.OL, auto, alloys, multi air bags, 157,000kms.
2009 NiSSAN NOTe 5/HATcH 1.5
$5,995
Auto, 128,000kms.
2006 miSuBiSHi cOlT PluS
$5,695
1.5 Auto, 154,000kms, roomy hatch.
2007 HONDA JAZZ SPORT
$6,995
1.5 auto, 114,000kms.
REDUCED
SOLD
SOLD
2012 HyuNDAi i30 S/w
$8,995
NZ new, 1600cc, auto, 133,000kms, alloys.
2015 TOyOTA yARiS 5/HATcH
wAS $12,495 NOw $10,995
1.3L, auto, NZ new, low 56,000kms.
2012 HyuNDAi i30 5/HATcH
$7,995
1.6L, auto, 173,000kms, alloys.
2010 miTSuBiSHi RVR
$10,995
1800cc, auto, 2WD, 128,000kms.
2007 TOyOTA RAV 5 DOOR
$9,995
Auto, 2WD, 108,000kms, alloys.
- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz