The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander marked a significant turning point for the brand, introducing a bold, upmarket design and a noticeable leap in interior refinement. Sharing its platform with the Nissan X-Trail/Rogue, this generation of the Outlander successfully blends sophistication with Mitsubishi’s signature hallmarks: robust reliability, all-terrain capability, and practicality. For families and professionals in Kenya looking for a versatile, seven-seater SUV that can handle both city commutes and challenging upcountry terrain, the 2022 Outlander offers compelling value.
Whether you choose the traditional 2.5L MIVEC petrol engine or the advanced Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) version, the Outlander delivers a smooth, confident driving experience. Before diving into the details, you can always stay updated with the latest automotive news, car reviews, and local driving tips for Kenyan enthusiasts by visiting automag.co.ke.
The Evolution of Design: Style Meets Ruggedness
The 2022 Outlander immediately stands out with its powerful road presence. It showcases the latest evolution of Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” design philosophy. This look is assertive, featuring a wide grille flanked by slim LED daytime running lights above the vertically stacked main headlamps. This structure gives the SUV a modern, almost muscular appearance.
From the side, sharp character lines and squared-off fenders emphasize its SUV stance, complemented by available 18 to 20-inch alloy wheels. The design manages to strike a fine balance, looking elegant enough for urban settings while retaining the toughness expected of an adventure vehicle.
- Ground Clearance: Approximately 210 mm (8.3 inches), which is excellent for navigating the varied road conditions across Kenya, ensuring you clear speed bumps and potholes with ease.
Performance and Powertrain Options
The Outlander offers two key powertrain choices that cater to different needs for the Kenyan market:
- 2.5L MIVEC Petrol Engine: Paired with a smooth Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), this engine is built for durability and ease of maintenance. It provides a balanced performance for daily driving.
- Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in about 10.5 seconds (FWD) or 10.9 seconds (AWD).
- 2.4L Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): This advanced option pairs a petrol engine with dual electric motors and the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. It offers strong, smooth acceleration thanks to the instant torque of the electric motors.
- Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in a quicker 8.2 seconds.
- For drivers looking to explore sustainable mobility beyond the hybrid, EV24.africa offers import options for electric cars, expanding choices in the rapidly evolving Kenyan automotive landscape.
Fuel Efficiency and Economy
Fuel consumption is a critical factor for Kenyan buyers, and the Outlander performs reasonably well:
| Model | Consumption | Note |
| 2.5L Petrol CVT (FWD) | approx. 12–13 km/l | Ideal for city/highway mix. |
| 2.5L Petrol CVT (AWD) | approx. 11–12 km/l | Slightly less efficient due to S-AWC system. |
| 2.4L Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | up to 55–60 km/l | Achieves superb economy when utilizing its 50–60 km pure electric range. |
Stability, Handling, and S-AWC
The Outlander delivers a stable, composed ride quality thanks to its new platform and suspension tuning. The steering is light and precise, making the large SUV surprisingly easy to manage in congested city traffic and tight parking spaces.
For those who frequently travel upcountry or need extra assurance during the long rainy season, Mitsubishi’s advanced Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system is invaluable. S-AWC automatically manages power distribution, enhancing grip and stability across surfaces like gravel, mud, or wet tarmac, ensuring confident travel no matter the weather.
Interior Comfort and Versatility
The cabin of the 2022 Outlander represents a major quality upgrade. The interior design feels modern and premium, featuring a wide horizontal dashboard, a floating infotainment display (8 or 9 inches), and soft-touch materials on most upper panels. Importantly, Mitsubishi retained physical knobs and buttons for climate control, improving usability without relying solely on the touchscreen.
Cabin Design, Space, and Three-Row Seating
The biggest advantage the Outlander offers in the compact SUV segment is its three-row seating configuration (standard in most markets).
- The front and second rows offer generous legroom and comfortable, supportive seats.
- The third row is best reserved for children or occasional short trips for adults, but its availability adds immense flexibility for large families or carpooling duties.
Practicality: Storage and Boot Space
Mitsubishi prioritized convenience. The cabin features numerous intelligently distributed storage spaces: large door pockets, a deep center console, dual cup holders, and even a dashboard shelf perfect for a smartphone.
When it comes to cargo, the Outlander is highly adaptable:
- Three Rows Up: About 163 litres (enough for small groceries).
- Third Row Folded: Approximately 793 litres.
- All Rear Seats Folded: Over 1,700 litres of usable, flat cargo area, making it perfect for hauling large items or extensive holiday luggage.
Trim Levels: Finding Your Perfect Outlander
The Outlander is offered in several trims to suit varying budgets and feature needs:
- M (Base): Focuses on value and core reliability, providing essential features like fabric seats and a basic infotainment system—a straightforward, low-maintenance choice.
- G / GLX (Mid-Spec): The sweet spot for most buyers, adding key conveniences like LED headlights, alloy wheels, keyless entry, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- Exceed / GT (Flagship): The luxury trim, featuring leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a fully digital driver display, and the most advanced driver-assistance technology.
Before deciding which trim is right for you, we recommend accessing a detailed Buyer’s Guide covering engine reliability and what to inspect before buying a pre-owned model. [Discover additional tips here].
Safety, Reliability, and Maintenance
Advanced Safety Features
Safety is paramount, and the 2022 Outlander is one of Mitsubishi’s safest models. It’s built on the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body structure, providing excellent crash protection. Higher trims include the MI-PILOT Assist system, which features:
- Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM)
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go function
Reliability and Long-Term Ownership in Kenya
Mitsubishi’s reputation for mechanical toughness is strong, and the 2.5L petrol engine, in particular, is designed for long-term reliability.
- Service and Maintenance: Basic parts like filters and brake pads are widely available and moderately priced through official dealers and well-established aftermarket networks in Kenya.
- Actionable Tip: Minor Service is recommended every 5,000 km, focusing on the oil and air filter. Major Service is recommended every 15,000 km and includes fuel filters, spark plugs, and transmission fluid checks. Sticking to these intervals is key to the car’s longevity.
Because the Outlander shares its architecture with the popular Nissan X-Trail, local service expertise is also rapidly improving. If you are specifically looking for a used petrol model that is known for its simplicity and robustness, you might also find excellent used alternatives like the Nissan X-Trail or the ever-popular Toyota RAV4. To find second-hand cars suitable for these conditions, check out auto24.co.ke. For more in-depth reviews and comparisons with other models, be sure to visit autoskenya.com.
Final Verdict: Why the Outlander Stands Out
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander delivers a blend of style, comfort, and proven mechanical reliability that makes it an excellent choice for the Kenyan motorist. It offers the flexibility of seven seats and the assurance of the S-AWC system, all wrapped in a premium-feeling package. It’s an ideal family SUV that promises peace of mind and affordability in the long run.
Key Competitors:
- Toyota RAV4
- Nissan X-Trail
- Mazda CX-5
- Honda CR-V
- Subaru Forester
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
