The Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer is one of those cars that makes a strong first impression, without trying too hard. As the top trim level, it takes the familiar family SUV formula and gives it more polish.
Adding extra comfort, nicer finishes and enough features to make it feel genuinely premium rather than just another big crossover, the Exceed Tourer is priced at $61,380 drive away. Visually, it sports two-tone body paint, silver roof rails, and a two-tone rear spoiler.
Privacy glass, LED lighting and a set of 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 255/45R20 tyres, and a full-sized spare complete the clean and modern look. Importantly, it’s not trying to be a flashy or overly dramatic SUV like some of its competitors.
Honestly, that works in its favour. It still has enough presence to feel like an all-wheel drive flagship model, and well it should. Dimensionally, it’s 4.72m long, 1.86m wide and 1.75m tall, sitting on a 2.71m wheelbase with 210mm of ground clearance.
That sense of balance continues once you step inside. Mitsubishi has loaded the Exceed Tourer with leather appointed seats that are heated both front and rear, as well as being ventilated in the forward pews (which also score memory).
If that’s not enough, both front occupants get massage functions. The seats are surprisingly plush and soft. This is not a cabin that is trying to be sporty or stripped back. Instead, it’s there for long trips, traffic and family duties.
Up front there is a heated steering wheel, a smartphone wireless charger, keyless entry, push-button start and a panoramic roof with an electric sunroof. Rear passengers are looked after with rear door pull-up sunshades and rear zone climate control.
A pair of USB power outlets can also be found back there, along with plenty of leg and head room. Tech includes a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The latter delivers wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation, Bluetooth audio streaming, DAB+ digital radio and a dynamic sound Yamaha Ultimate 12-speaker audio system, complete with a subwoofer.
It’s a damn good setup, with a head-up display adding another nice touch. It’s 5-seat layout means there’s 478-litres of space behind the second row, expandable to 1461-litres when you drop it down.
The second row also gets a 40:20:40 split along with slide and recline adjustment, meaning that next trip to Bunnings just became a whole lot easier. A powered tailgate, retractable cargo cover, bottle holders, cup holders and door pockets feature.
A centre console storage box rounds out the inside. Under the bonnet, the Exceed Tourer runs a 2.5‑litre four‑cylinder petrol engine that puts out 135kW and 244Nm, paired with an “8‑speed” CVT and Mitsubishi’s super all-wheel control system, with active yaw control.
Its official fuel usage sits at 8.1-litres/100km. On paper, those numbers seem solid enough, but this is also where one of the car’s biggest compromises shows up. While the engine and CVT work smoothly together in everyday driving, the combination feels underdone.
For a vehicle of this size, it’s slightly short on punch when you really need it. That does not mean it’s unpleasant. Too many CVTs constantly remind you they exist, not so here. Instead it’s smooth, albeit delivering average throttle response.
For most family buyers that will be acceptable, though keen drivers will probably wish it had a little more punch when asked to haul the full body around. That said, the way it rides is one of the real highlights.
The steering lacks a bit of feedback and braking feel is average, but the broader driving dynamics are genuinely positive. There’s better than expected road noise suppression, a soft and plush seating setup, and a drivetrain that goes about its business without fuss.
It all points to a car that would be very easy to live with day in and day out. Safety tech is first class too, including forward collision mitigation, rear and forward autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane change and lane departure assist.
Rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree surround view monitor are joined by front and rear parking sensors to complete the package.
All-in-all, the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer feels like a car designed for the family that wants practicality and affordable luxury, over excitement. It focuses on the things that really matter, making a convincing case as a proper family SUV.
You can find out more on the Mitsubishi Motors Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Mitsubishi Motors Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
Nice informative review