2019 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2.4L MIVEC I4 is the standard, highest-volume engine across ES/SE/SEL trims for 2019; the V6 is GT-only.

Peak torque for the standard 2.4L MIVEC engine that equips the volume ES/SE/SEL trims.

Instrumented test of the standard 2.4L I4 with CVT, the volume configuration; the optional V6 GT is meaningfully quicker.

Reviewers consistently criticized the 2.4L I4/CVT pairing for coarse, noisy behavior under acceleration — engine revs flare well ahead of any forward progress when merging or climbing grades, with little of the smoothness rivals achieve.

The CVT's simulated stepped shifts are described as artificial and unconvincing, staying well below redline and drawing criticism for not matching the driver's throttle input.

Maximum rating across the 2019 lineup belongs to the V6-powered GT; the volume 2.4L trims are rated far lower.

Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is an available option across ES/SE/SEL and standard on GT/SEL V6, with selectable drive modes (Normal/Snow/Lock on lower trims, plus Gravel/Tarmac on GT) — broad availability with genuinely useful but not class-leading sophistication.

8.5 in of ground clearance and S-AWC's terrain modes give it more capability than a typical pavement-only crossover, but there is no dedicated off-road trim, skid plates, or locking hardware.

The 2019 nameplate spans a base 2.4L I4, an optional 3.0L V6 (GT), and a plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEV variant — two conventional gas choices plus an electrified option across the range.

EPA combined rating for the standard 2.4L I4, the volume engine across ES/SE/SEL.

EPA city rating for the standard 2.4L FWD configuration.

EPA highway rating for the standard 2.4L FWD configuration.

EPA-derived total range on a full tank for the standard 2.4L FWD configuration.

EPA annual fuel cost estimate at standard 15,000 mi/yr assumptions for the standard 2.4L FWD configuration.

The Outlander's 2.4L and 3.0L gas engines both run on regular unleaded across the entire 2019 lineup, with no premium requirement or charging complexity for the gas-only configurations.

NHTSA tested the 2019 Outlander and awarded 5 stars overall for AWD variants (5-star side, 4-star frontal, 4-star rollover); FWD variants scored 4 stars overall on the same underlying test results.

The 2019 Outlander earned IIHS Top Safety Pick (its sixth consecutive year) with Good ratings across every crashworthiness test, but the award required the optional front crash prevention package and specific LED headlights rather than being achievable on the base trim, and pedestrian AEB rated only Basic.

No driver-assistance features are standard on the base ES/SE trims. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert only become standard on the LE trim and up, while AEB, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning and automatic high beams remain optional, gated behind a ~$3,000 SEL Premium/Touring package or the GT trim.

IIHS rated the optional Forward Collision Mitigation system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle avoidance (avoided collisions in both 12 and 25 mph tests) but only Basic for pedestrian detection, and the feature itself is optional rather than standard on the volume trim.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on LE and above and available as an optional Convenience package on SE, but is absent on the base ES; coverage is alert-only with no active braking intervention.

The 2019 Outlander offers Lane Departure Warning as an optional feature but no true lane-centering or active lane-keep assist — it alerts rather than intervenes, placing it at the crude end of the scale.

Adaptive cruise control is optional (SEL Premium package/GT) and radar-based, but period reviews describe it as a basic follow-distance system without full-speed-range stop-and-go capability or integrated highway/lane-centering assist.

Mitsubishi offered no hands-free highway driving system (comparable to BlueCruise/Super Cruise) on the 2019 Outlander at any trim level.

IIHS rated the halogen headlights on the ES, SE, LE and base SEL trims 'Poor' — the volume-trim configuration — with only the SEL Premium+Touring and GT Touring LED setups reaching 'Acceptable' and the plain GT/SEL Premium LEDs rated 'Marginal'.

Reviewers consistently praised the Outlander's tall windows, slim pillars, low beltline and large three-quarter windows for good forward and side sightlines, with optional blind-spot monitoring and a multi-view camera compensating for remaining rear blind spots.

IIHS rated LATCH ease of use 'Acceptable' with two full lower-anchor positions plus a tether-only middle position, but noted the lower anchors sit deep between the seat cushions at a steep angle, making them harder to locate and attach than best-in-class designs.

The 2019 Outlander gas model carries a standard 50/50-split third-row bench across all trims, unlike the discontinued-third-row later generation.

Matches published interior dimensions for the 2019 model year.

Front legroom sits near the low end of the compact-SUV band, consistent with the Outlander's tighter cabin packaging.

Mid-pack second-row headroom for the segment.

Second-row legroom is competitive for the compact-SUV segment, aided by the sliding/reclining second-row bench.

Reviewers consistently describe the third row as kid/short-trip-only — Mitsubishi's own owner's manual reportedly caps occupants at 5'3", and the seats don't fold flat without first removing the head restraints.

Cargo volume behind the second row (with the third row stowed) sits toward the low end of the compact-SUV band; behind the third row (in 7-seat mode) it's a tight 10.3 cu ft.

Maximum cargo volume with all rear seats folded is modest for the segment.

Standard console, door and glovebox storage with no standout innovations reported for the 2019 model; the sliding/reclining 2nd row is the main flexibility feature.

Front seats are reasonably supportive with heated cushions standard from SE up, but reviewers don't single out the seats as a highlight and note limited adjustability on lower trims.

Mitsubishi retuned the steering and suspension for 2019 for more comfort, but reviewers still note a firmer ride than segment rivals and noticeable body lean in corners.

The CVT drones audibly under acceleration and at highway speed per multiple reviews, and the base 2.4L four is described as noisy under load.

Dual-zone auto climate and heated front seats are standard from the SE volume trim up, with rear vents standard fleet-wide, but heated steering wheel and remote climate need the SEL Touring package or GT.

The 2019 refresh (third facelift, new Dynamic Shield grille/bumpers, 18-in wheels) kept the ES entry price low — one of the cheapest ways into a compact SUV, and the only one in the class with a standard third-row seat available.

SE is the entry point for the standard third-row seat, a rarity in the compact-SUV class, and is the representative volume trim; S-AWC is scored as the typical configuration given Mitsubishi markets Super All-Wheel Control as the Outlander's signature feature.

Edmunds' True Cost to Own figures for the 2019 Outlander run well above typical compact-SUV maintenance/repair totals, consistent with Mitsubishi's smaller dealer network and parts-cost profile.

Resale is a weak point — Mitsubishi's brand-image drag and heavy incentive spending both pull used values down faster than mainstream compact-SUV rivals.

Full 5-year basic coverage, at the top of the class band.

Mitsubishi's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is the longest in the mainstream compact-SUV class, a deliberate selling point against Toyota/Honda's 5-year coverage.

Two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, multi-point inspections) plus 5 years of unlimited-mileage 24-hour roadside assistance is a genuine multi-year package that lands in the top band, even though it falls short of a full-term maintenance plan.

$27,695 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (45% retained, or about $12,463) leaves about $15,232 in depreciation. Add the projected $9,700 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $24,932 in total.

Predicted-reliability sources disagree sharply for the 2019 Outlander: U.S. News reports a 'terrible' predicted reliability rating (2/5), while consumer-satisfaction proxies run higher (J.D. Power consumer rating 77/100; KBB owner rating 4.1/5). Weighting the dedicated predicted-reliability source over general satisfaction scores places this just below average.

Mitsubishi's standing in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study was weak for model year 2019 (30th of the ranked brands), the actual reporting period for this model year, before improving sharply to 6th in the 2020 IQS. Combined with Consumer Reports' historically below-average brand dependability marks for Mitsubishi, this reads as a bottom-third brand track record at the time this vehicle was built.

MY2019 Outlander carries a handful of recalls but nothing powertrain- or fire-related: a second-row seat belt assembly recall (NHTSA 20V280000, May 2020), a later liftgate gas-spring corrosion recall covering 2014-2020 Outlanders (NHTSA 26V252000, April 2026), and a wheel-label recall from the same production window (18V591000, Sept 2018). All are component-level fixes rather than systemic safety issues, consistent with typical recall activity for the segment.

The 2.4L MIVEC naturally aspirated four is a long-serving, well-proven Mitsubishi engine with no major red flags, but it is paired exclusively with a CVT that carries a persistent (if not majority) failure pattern across Outlander model years -- owner-forum and repair-site reporting cites slipping, shuddering and overheating complaints in a meaningful minority of cars. Net: a durable engine undercut by a CVT with a mixed long-term record.

Reviewers were consistently critical of cabin materials on the 2019 Outlander -- Consumer Reports called the interior trim 'dated, plasticky, and crude,' and other outlets cited 'brittle, hard plastics' on the lower cabin -- squarely matching the cheap-feeling-cabin band even against mainstream-segment expectations.

No specific reports of rattles or panel misalignment surfaced for this model year, but Mitsubishi's weak placement in J.D. Power's 2019 Initial Quality Study (30th overall, the study period covering MY2019 vehicles) points to below-average assembly-level quality across the brand's lineup that year.

Mitsubishi's US network stood at roughly 350-355 dealers in 2019 -- adequate coverage in most metro areas but a fraction of the density of mainstream rivals (Toyota, Honda each run well over 1,000 stores), so ownership in less-populated regions can mean a longer drive for service.

RepairPal rates the Outlander 4.0/5 for reliability, ranking it 8th of 26 compact SUVs, with an average annual repair cost of $519 -- below the segment average -- indicating normal-to-favorable parts pricing and availability rather than an expensive or dealer-gated ownership experience.

A single 7-inch touchscreen is the only size offered across the lineup for 2019 — no larger unit is available on any trim.

Reviewers called the SDA system's touch targets fussy ('surgical levels of fingertip accuracy') and the system 'outdated', though at least one noted it was a step up from Mitsubishi's previous unit.

Wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard on the SE volume trim and up (absent on base ES), but no wireless projection was offered on any 2019 trim — typical for the era.

The SDA system has no embedded navigation in US models — owners must rely on CarPlay/Android Auto maps — and voice control is a basic phone-command pass-through rather than a native assistant.

The standard 6-speaker system is unremarkable, but a 710-watt 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate system is available (SEL Touring package) and standard on GT, giving the lineup a genuine premium option.

The 2019 Outlander uses analog gauges with a small monochrome multi-information display; no configurable full-digital cluster is offered on any trim.

No over-the-air software update capability existed on the 2019 Outlander's infotainment or vehicle systems.

Mitsubishi's remote-services app ecosystem in this era was centered on the Outlander PHEV (remote charge/climate control); coverage of an equivalent app for the gas Outlander's remote start/lock/locate functions in 2019 is thin and likely required a dealer-installed telematics module rather than being broadly standard.

Dual USB ports are standard from the SE volume trim up (single USB on base ES), but no wireless phone charging pad was offered on any 2019 Outlander trim.

Push-button start and proximity keyless entry are standard from the SE trim up, though hands-free liftgate and phone-as-key were not offered on any 2019 trim.

A rearview camera is standard fleet-wide, but the Multi-View (360-degree) camera system and front/rear parking sensors are limited to the SEL Touring package and standard GT — not equipped on the SE volume trim.

No head-up display of any kind was offered on the 2019 Outlander lineup, including the range-topping GT.

The sliding/reclining 60/40 second row and wide-opening rear doors make car-seat installation and stroller loading manageable, standard LATCH anchors are present, but the tight, hard-to-fold third row limits practicality beyond the first two rows.

The 2019 Outlander earned IIHS Top Safety Pick, but that rating requires the optional front-crash-prevention package and specific headlights — forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise, blind-spot and lane-departure warning are all bundled into the SEL Touring package or standard only on the range-topping GT, not on the ES/SE trims most families buy.

Second-row space and rear climate vents suit medium trips for four, but cargo with the third row in use is a tight 10.3 cu ft, the third row itself is short-trip-only, and rear-seat entertainment/charging is thin on the volume trim.

Light steering and a compact footprint suit city driving, but the 2.4L four-cylinder is widely described as underpowered and noisy under load, undercutting relaxed everyday drivability, especially merging and passing.

EPA-rated fuel economy for the 2.4L four-cylinder AWC Outlander is average for the compact-SUV class — not a standout on running costs in either direction.

A compact footprint and a tight ~34.8 ft turning circle make the Outlander easy to place in tight spaces; a rearview camera is standard, though the surround-view camera is trim-gated.

The volume Outlander is rated to tow just 1,500 lbs (only the V6 GT reaches 3,500 lbs) and has no bed or dedicated cargo-hauling hardware, giving it little real work capability.

Mitsubishi lacks a strong fleet/commercial durability reputation in the US market, and the Outlander is not marketed or built toward hard-use duty cycles.

No onboard power outlets, upfit ecosystem, or work-oriented cargo features are offered; roof rails are merely optional on the volume trims.

Highway range is adequate, but CVT drone and firmer ride reduce long-haul comfort, and driver-assist features that ease highway fatigue (adaptive cruise, lane keep) aren't standard on the volume trim.

Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), available on SE and up, is a genuinely capable torque-vectoring AWD system for gravel and light off-pavement use, and 8.5 in of ground clearance is competitive, though roof rails remain optional rather than standard.

The sliding/reclining second row and 50/50-split third row add some flexibility, but the third row doesn't fold flat without removing its head restraints and overall cargo volume (34.2/63.3 cu ft) trails class leaders.

Mitsubishi retuned the steering and suspension for 2019 and reviewers praised 'quick steering, good balance, and ample grip', but the same reviews note significant body lean in corners and rivals that remain more agile overall.

Steering is quick off-center but reviewers describe it as somewhat numb on the gas model; the tighter, more engaging steering feel noted in period reviews is specific to the PHEV's rear-motor torque, not this gas configuration.

No instrumented stopping-distance or brake-feel complaints were found specific to the 2019 gas Outlander; scored at a segment-average baseline absent contrary evidence.

The CVT paired with the base 2.4L four-cylinder causes engine revs to flare well ahead of any meaningful acceleration, and reviewers describe the response as lethargic even at full throttle.

The base four-cylinder is repeatedly described as noisy under load, with the CVT droning audibly at higher speeds during merges and grade climbs.

A tight turning circle typical of the compact-SUV class, near the favorable end of the normalization band.

A tilt-and-telescoping wheel is standard from the base ES trim and outward visibility is good for the class, though interior control layout and material quality drew some criticism as dated.

The underpowered, noisy CVT-driven four-cylinder and appliance-like character leave the gas Outlander short on driving enjoyment; it's a competent commuter rather than something enthusiasts recommend.

Base ES is fairly spartan (basic cloth, manual seats, small touchscreen) for a 2019 compact SUV, but from SE up the Outlander is the only vehicle in its class with a standard third-row seat — a genuine differentiator rivals don't offer at any price.

Low starting price, a segment-unique third-row seat, the class-leading 10-year powertrain warranty, and well-documented showroom discounts combine to a genuine value story, offsetting middling performance and cabin materials.

Five trims (ES, SE, LE, SEL, GT) each offered with a $2,000 FWD-to-AWD (S-AWC) upgrade on ES/SE/LE/SEL, spanning a reasonable $24,695–$33,195 range, though the spread between adjacent trims is modest and there's no true stripped-work or fully loaded-tech halo beyond GT.

About 38,000 US units in 2019 is a small fraction of compact-SUV leaders like the RAV4 or CR-V (each 300k+) and even mid-pack rivals like the Rogue — a slow seller in a segment where the volume leaders sell an order of magnitude more.

Mitsubishi sits at the budget end of mainstream brand perception in the US, without the aspirational pull of Toyota/Honda/Mazda, which also drags on resale (see 5.1.4).

Mitsubishi leaned on the Outlander's low base price plus 'big showroom discounts' to move metal in 2019, meaningful buyer-side savings without desperation-level fire-sale pricing.

2019 is the third facelift (new twin-blade grille, revised bumpers, 18-in wheels) of the generation that began in 2014 — a mid-cycle refresh rather than a clean-sheet redesign, five model years into its cycle.

Consumer Reports rated the 2019 Outlander near the bottom of the compact-SUV class ('reluctant to corner and clumsy,' recommended buyers skip it), and it collected no major comparison-test wins or industry awards for the model year.