2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

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Rating7.1

Ranked #7 in 

Fullsize SUV
Write Review
$22,695 - $28,595
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Dynamic handling

Plain interior

Standard Bluetooth and heated front seats on SE and GT trims

Optional third row

Lack of safety ratings

SE trim gets standard automatic climate control

Big cargo area

No telescopic steering

GT trim gets satellite radio capability standard

Intuitive tailgate design

Heated mirrors standard across the range

Graphite Gray replaced by Mercury Gray

Beige upper interior trim

Specs & Features

$22,695

price

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

167 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.4L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander is the Japanese manufacturer's weapon for the ever-growing segment in the American car market that has lately seen a lot of influx from rivals such as the Nissan Rogue, the Ford Escape, and the Honda CR-V. The Outlander brings in a robust power mill, refined ride quality, luxury interiors, and easy ownership when compared to the others. 

Buying Advice

Seeing how well equipped the SE trim is, and what all it brings to the table in form of amenities, it is our recommendation for one who is looking for a reliable crossover that can seat 7 people. That, along with the fact that the SE can be equipped with an AWD and has a lot of packages on offer, gives a lot of customisation as well. If the 4-cylinder engine feels underwhelming, the GT trim is the second-best choice with its V6.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander starts at an MSRP of $22,695 for its base ES variant and goes up to $28,595 for its top-end GT trim. For the price, the SUV brings in a 2.4L Inline-4 engine that produces 168 horsepower and is paired to a CVT for easy driving in the city. Will the Outlander be a good bet against its more famous rivals? Let’s find out.

Features
8.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander is available in three trims, namely ES, SE, and GT, and starts from an MSRP of $22,695 and goes all the way up to $28,595. The base trim gets FWD as standard, while the other two get 4WD optional for better traction and acceleration. In terms of features, the base trim is decently equipped and gets features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-mounted audio controls, CD player, and cloth upholstery. A table summarising all the features is listed below.

Trims

ES

SE

GT

MSRP (FWD)

$22,695

$23,995

$26,595

MSRP (4WD)

-

$25,495

$28,595

Key features

16-inch steel wheels

All features of the SE trim level plus:

All features of the ES trim level plus:

 

Heated side mirrors

18-inch alloy wheels

3.0L V6

 

Roof rails

Integrated turn signals

automatic wipers

 

LED taillamps

Fog lights

xenon headlights

 

Cruise control

Keyless ignition/entry

satellite radio

 

Air-conditioning

Automatic climate control

Soft-touch dashboard 

 

Remote keyless entry

Sliding second-row seats

Chrome accents

 

Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls

Heated front seats

Active front differential (AWD)

 

Reclining rear seats

Six-disc CD changer

Advanced AWD mode selector (AWD)

 

Cloth upholstery

Steering-column-mounted paddle shifters

Hill-start assist

The trims are very well-equipped for the price, and if someone wants to add more features to their Outlander, Mitsubishi offers a Premium package for the SE trim that adds a bevy of features like an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a sunroof, a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system with satellite radio, and a rearview camera. The GT trim can be had with a Touring package that adds the above features and further throws in heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver seat.

We recommend

Seeing how well equipped the SE trim is, and what all it brings to the table in form of amenities, it is our recommendation for one who is looking for a reliable crossover that can seat 7 people. That, along with the fact that the SE can be equipped with an AWD and has a lot of packages on offer, gives a lot of customisation as well. If the 4-cylinder engine feels underwhelming, the GT trim is the second-best choice with its V6.

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander’s base engine is a 2.4L Inline-4 that produces a mere 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque that is channeled to the front wheels only as standard via a CVT. This engine can be paired to an AWD for an added premium. If the output of the base engine is a bit too little for one, s/he can upgrade to a 3.0L V6 that is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and produces 230 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. 

Both the engines are very refined and are very quiet on the road. The base engine might have a bit sluggish acceleration, but the bigger V6 has plenty of torque and a very healthy push while accelerating. The handling feels very sure, and the steering has a tremendous response for a vehicle in this segment. The suspension is very well set up for the city roads, and the highway drives don't feel any different either. The cabin is well-insulated, and the comfortable seats make it a boon for long distances. 

Models

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

2013 Nissan Rogue

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Honda CR-V

MSRP

$22,695

$22,790

$23,450

$23,445

Engine

2.4L Inline-4

2.5L Inline-4

2.5L Inline-4

2.4L Inline-4

Transmission

CVT

CVT

6-speed automatic

CVT

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Power

168 hp @ 6,000 RPM

170 hp @ 6,000 RPM

168 hp @6,000 RPM

185 hp @ 6,400 RPM

Torque

167 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM

175 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM

170 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM

181 lb-ft @ 3,900 RPM

0-60 MPH

9.7 seconds

8.9 seconds

9.2 seconds

7.5 seconds

Quarter-Mile 

17.4 seconds

17.0 seconds

16.9 seconds

15.9 seconds

Top Speed 

120 MPH

119 MPH

123 MPH

117 MPH

The horsepower figures on the Outlander might not be impressive, but it is okay for the segment as most of the crossovers employ a similar powertrain setup, of which, the Honda CR-V takes the lead for the most powerful setup. Honda also manages to take a massive lead in acceleration timings as well due to the extra power it generates over the competitors. 

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander employs a 2.4L Inline-4, paired to a CVT, to make the powertrain as efficient as possible, and to prove that, the EPA rated it at 23 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway for a combined total of 25 MPG from its 16.6-gallon fuel tank. Opting for the bigger V6 drops the numbers further to 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The drop in figures is expected since the bigger engine is in use.

Models

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

2013 Nissan Rogue

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Honda CR-V

MPG (City)

23

26

22

27

MPG (Highway)

28

33

31

34

MPG (Combined)

25

28

25

29

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons)

16.6 gallons

14.5 gallons

15.1 gallons

15.3 gallons

Range (City/Highway/Combined) (in miles)

381/464/415

377/478/406

332/468/377

413/520/443

The fuel economy figures on the Outlander might not be the best in the comparison, but the bigger tank on offer does aid in its range. The fuel economy is topped by Honda by way of higher MPG figures and more range despite a smaller fuel tank. The others fall in between, with the Rogue providing a wee bit more range than the Ford Escape

Interior
7.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander has a very robust interior with no-frills inside whatsoever. There are not a lot of design elements inside apart from the new beige treatment done for this model year. The door panels have soft-touch padding in the armrests, and apart from that, they are covered in hard plastics. The same goes with the dashboard - hard plastics all around with some soft-touch areas. Upgrading to the GT trim does help with this and adds soft-touch areas all around the door panels and the dashboard. 

The seats are very comfortable for long trips and driving on the highway in general. Although they are covered in cloth in the base trim, the higher trims get leather treatment. Upgrading to the SE trim adds heated front seats and upgraded upholstery. The GT trim gets power-adjustability as an option, that too for the driver’s seat only. The rear seats are reclining and can be slid forward for easy entry in the 3rd row, which comes in the SE trim and above. 

Models

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

2013 Nissan Rogue

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Honda CR-V

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)

40.3/56.4/41.6

41.6/56.6/43.0

39.9/56.0/43.1

39.9/58.6/41.3

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)

38.3/56.1/39.6

38.5/55.9/37.9

39.0/55.3/36.8

38.6/56.4/38.3

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

36.2

32.0

34.3

35.2

The Outlander has a very spacious cabin that has a very roomy feel to it. There’s ample headroom for all the occupants to sit comfortably, while the shoulder room ensures no one feels cramped. The rear seats are comfortable as well with plenty of space. The third-row seat available on the SE and above is a bit cramped and best suited for children only. The cargo space on offer is the most in the comparison, which takes a hit with the third row of seating. That being said, some of the highlighting features of the interior are:

  • Soft-touch dash and door trim
  • Steering-column-mounted paddle shifters
  • Reclining and sliding second-row seats
  • Third-row seats
  • Voice controls 
  • Bluetooth 
  • Fuse hands-free link system
  • Cloth upholstery

Infotainment system

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander comes equipped with a standard infotainment system. There are no frills whatsoever, and the base system comes equipped with a CD player and an AUX jack to connect your phone device and stream music. This is further upgraded to a Fuse hands-free link system which includes voice controls for the devices connected via Bluetooth. The GT trim adds satellite radio to the equation, while there is an option to go for a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system in the SE trim. That said, some of the highlights of this system are:

  • CD player
  • Six-speaker sound system
  • Auxiliary audio input jack
  • Fuse hands-free
  • Voice controls
  • Bluetooth 
  • Six-disc CD changer

Exterior
8.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander looks sleek and sharp due to all the bold lines it carries. The refresh in 2010 also lent the Outlander headlights that look like the Lancer, DRLs, optional fog lights, and a big grille that looks subtle and fits the charisma perfectly. From the side, the Outlander has very simple styling. The 17-inch alloy wheels look good, while the chrome strip down the bottom adds visual appeal. The same goes for the rear as well, with simple lines and a very intuitive tailgate design that is helpful if you want to load heavy stuff inside. 

Models

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

2013 Nissan Rogue

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Honda CR-V

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,384

3,393

3,515

3,358

Length (inches)

183.7

182.3

178.1

179.4

Width (inches)

70.9

72.4

72.4

71.6

Height (inches)

66.1

66.3

66.3

64.7

Ground Clearance (inches)

8.5

7.4

7.9

6.8

Wheelbase (inches)

105.1

106.5

105.9

103.1

The short wheelbase on the Outlander does help in driving around the city and in tight parking spaces, whereas the higher ground clearance is good for soaking up the undulations and discrepancies on the pavement. It is longer than all of its rivals and has a good height to ensure that the 3rd-row passengers aren’t uncomfortable. That being said, some of the Outlander’s styling elements include:

  • 16-inch steel wheels
  • Roof rails
  • Heated side mirrors
  • LED taillamps
  • Fog lights
  • Side mirror-mounted turn signals
  • Automatic xenon headlights 
  • Automatic wipers
  • Chrome accents

Safety
7.0/10

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander comes equipped with all the essential safety features that are to be expected in a car in this segment. All the major safety features such as ABS, stability control, multiple dual-stage airbags, and traction control are standard across the range. Cruise control is also standard, which helps a lot while driving on the highway. The crossover also scores the highest accolades in the NHTSA and the IIHS crash tests, making it one of the safest crossovers out there. Some of the highlighting safety features on offer include:

  • Hill-start assist
  • Traction control
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/EBD
  • Active stability control
  • RISE (refined impact safety evolution) body construction
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Cruise control

Final Verdict

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander poses a very tough competition to the other crossovers in the segment with its serene ride quality, punchy engine, roomy interior, and humongous levels of cargo space. The crossover drives the best in the segment with impressive steering feedback and suspension travel. The interior might be a bit too simple for some but is pretty robust and long-lasting. That, coupled with the distinguishing styling and impressive safety scores, do make the Outlander a very good choice in the segment.

Trims

    ES
    $22,695 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    SE
    $23,995 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Cloth/Leather Seat trim
    • Front automatic air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    GT
    $26,595 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite

Compare to similar cars

Price

$22,695- $28,595

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.13

Horsepower

230 hp @ 6250 rpm

Torque

215 lb.-ft. @ 3750 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$38,445- $47,625

Gasoline

8.29

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

7

Read Review

$30,510- $42,575

Gasoline

8.34

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

$40,405- $57,725

Gasoline

7.04

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,870- $59,765

Gasoline

7.44

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

9

Read Review

$24,225- $32,735

Gasoline

7.86

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,795- $42,345

Gasoline

7.7

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

$22,470- $32,120

Gasoline

7.75

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,760- $59,680

Gasoline

7.95

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

8

Read Review

$26,305- $36,745

Gasoline

8.25

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.1 sec16.9 sec120 mph
    6.5 sec15.0 sec155 mph
    6.5 sec15.1 sec115 mph
    6.9 sec--
    7.2 sec15.5 sec-
    7.3 sec15.5 sec-

    2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg16.6 gal.365.2/464.8 mi.
      26 mpg35 mpg29 mpg14.8 gal.384.8/518 mi.
      23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.365.7/477 mi.
      24 mpg31 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.381.6/492.9 mi.
      22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/601.6 mi.
      23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg13.6 gal.312.8/408 mi.Jeep USA

      2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        183.7 in.70.9 in.66.1 in.8.5 in.105.1 in.
        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.9.1 in.130 in.

        2013 GMC Yukon XL

        Ranked #1

        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.8.9 in.130 in.
        207.7 in.79.3 in.77.2 in.9.8 in.123.2 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        203.7 in.78.5 in.69.9 in.7.2 in.118.9 in.

        2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          36.2 cu.ft.100.4 cu.ft.72.6 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          16.9 cu.ft.-108.9 cu.ft.
          16.9 cu.ft.39.2 cu.ft.108.9 cu.ft.
          10.3 cu.ft.145.7 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          24.4 cu.ft.150.8 cu.ft.116.3 cu.ft.

          2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            53 cu.ft.36.2 cu.ft.72.6 cu.ft.-
            95.4 cu.ft.10.3 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.-
            64 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.-
            81.7 cu.ft.16.1 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.-
            8.5 cu.ft.31.6 cu.ft.63.9 cu.ft.-
            94.7 cu.ft.24.4 cu.ft.116.3 cu.ft.-

            2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.1180 lbs.3384 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1295 lbs.5730 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1633 lbs.5467 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1633 lbs.5467 lbs.
              8200 lbs.1728 lbs.5372 lbs.
              8100 lbs.1526 lbs.5674 lbs.

              2013 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              14

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              68

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

              Horsepower : 168 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 9.1 sec

              #1

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              2013 Mitsubishi Outlander User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              GH

              Gabriel Hickman

              2014 Mitsubishi Outlander

              ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 15, 2024

              Mitsubishi Outlander Sport '14

              Pros - ["It's like driving a go-kart", "It's good on the ethanol consumption"]

              Cons - ["It doesn't have the best power", "Could go faster"]

              I love it, altogether its a fantastic vehicle. The fuel economy is tits money, it's fun to scoot around, jumping lanes not giving a rats patootie. The sound system could be a little better, maybe put a sub in.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              wm

              Whitney maness

              2014 Mitsubishi Outlander

              ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 13, 2024

              Great gas saving suv.

              Pros - ["Back up camera", "Headlights"]

              Cons - ["Kind of hard to find parts for at store have to order most.", "The seat belt light goes off instantly and annoyingly over and over in a short period of time. Doesn't even give you 20 seconds."]

              The mitsubishi outlander sport se. Is the like upgraded version the normal version doesn't have the heated seats or back uo camera to my knowledge. I've put 30,000 miles on it in 7 or 8 months. And hasn't really given me any problems other than than what driving that much does to a car.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review