>
What will happen if simple rural guys are sent to a big city and put them in a company of intellectuals? That's right, after a while they will get used to and acquire gentlemanly manners - this happens not only in people, but also in the automotive world. If we consider the Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester of the first generations, we can see that these cars are true off-road vehicles capable of overcoming very difficult rough terrain. However, after we saw the second generation Mitsubishi Outlander, originally produced with the prefix "XL", it became clear that the compact SUV segment is gradually disappearing, and the cars themselves are getting closer to mid-size crossovers. Whether it’s time to put on a suit and tie while sitting in the Subaru Forester, or the car still remains a comfortable utilitarian vehicle - this we learn by comparing it with a purely light-duty Mitsubishi Outlander.
Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester - which car retained more off-road qualities
Dynamic assessment
From the place - on the roads
The most interesting thing is to find out which car will show the best result on a rough terrain - Forester or Outlander, so we will start the review with a comparison in this area. As mentioned above, in the past generation, the Mitsubishi Outlander has become a crossover designed exclusively for driving on good roads. However, Mitsubishi engineers slightly modified the new generation of the car, providing it with other bumpers, increasing the ground clearance and removing a huge spare wheel from under the trunk, which used to cause a significant reduction in cross-country ability. Alas, the miracle did not happen - everything is spoiled by a very short-stroke suspension, which forces the wheels to be hung out already on unevenness of medium dimensions. In addition, the Mitsubishi Outlander lacks even an imitation of locking the cross-wheel differentials, which causes the car to slip helplessly, hitting a large ravine on a dirt road or driving on a particularly large stone.
Читать далее о сравнении автомобилей Subaru Forester и Mitsubishi Outlander-->Not at all pleased with the work of the new variator from Mitsubishi - the node works quite well in moderate conditions, but it overheats even before the multi-plate clutch, which supplies torque to the rear axle. Finally, it's not very flattering to respond to the large fashionable Mitsubishi Outlsnder bumpers - although it's fair to say that the Subaru Forester has the same exterior design elements. Outlander suspension when moving on a flat surface provides very high comfort due to its softness and optimal settings. However, one has only to go to the Mitsubishi Outlander to conquer the expanses of the domestic off-road and suburban roads, as softness immediately turns into a strong buildup, forcing the driver to slow down, and passengers frantically grab all the protruding objects.
If we compare the Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester, at first glance, there are no big differences. In the all-wheel drive system, a similar multi-plate clutch of a friction type is used, although for the version with manual transmission a bevel differential is available, which ensures a constant supply of torque to all wheels. However, its settings are the best - unlike the Mitsubishi, the Subaru Forester slips much less time in the mud before connecting all-wheel drive, and also allows you to actively move on rough terrain without fear of transmission overheating. Even the Subaru variator surrenders much later - and that just warns the driver, and does not go into emergency mode with load-limiting. In addition, the blocking of cross-wheel differentials in the Subaru Forester simulates a special electronic system, in most cases facilitating the overcoming of the most difficult sections.
| Car model: | Mitsubishi Outlander | Subaru Forester |
| Producing country: | Japan (Сборка — Россия, Калуга) | Japan |
| Body Type: | Crossover | Crossover |
| Number of places: | 5 | 5 |
| Number of doors: | 5 | 5 |
| Engine capacity, cubic cm: | 2360 | 2457 |
| Power, l. c./about min .: | 166/6000 | 171/5800 |
| Maximum speed, km / h: | 195 | 196 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from: | 10,5 | 9,9 |
| Type of drive: | Full | Full |
| CAT: | Variable speed drive | Variable speed drive |
| Fuel type: | Gasoline AI-92 | Petrol AI-95 |
| Consumption per 100 km: | In the city of 10.6 / Out of town 6.9 | In the city of 10.9 / Out of town 7.2 |
| Length, mm: | 4655 | 4595 |
| Width, mm: | 1800 | 1795 |
| Height, mm: | 1680 | 1735 |
| Clearance, mm: | 215 | 220 |
| Tire size: | 215/70 R16 | 225/60 R17 |
| Curb weight, kg: | 1495 | 1508 |
| Full weight, kg: | 2210 | 2245 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 | 60 |
However, the other disadvantages are the same - an exceptionally short-stroke suspension and oversized bumpers that limit the size of the entry and exit angles. It is worth noting the fact that the Subaru Forester, even in the most expensive configuration, is not equipped with engine pan protection, although it is in the asset of the base Mitsubishi Outlander. If we talk about the suspension Forester, then in many modes it may seem harsh. But after driving out on a bad road, you understand that Subaru engineers didn’t have picked up just such undercarriage settings — the car seemed not to notice the pits, reliably protecting their passengers from shaking due to their incredible energy intensity. In addition, the car does not lose controllability in such conditions - road irregularities are not transmitted to the steering wheel.
And if in the city?
Если сделать испытательным полигоном крупный современный город, в сравнении комфортабельности Forester или Outlander бесспорно выигрывает кроссовер Mitsubishi. Его вариатор работает более мягко, позволяя практически незаметно трогаться с места без лишних дёрганий и клевков мягкой подвески. Сама же ходовая часть также не даёт о себе знать ни в одном случае, кроме совсем уже крупных неровностей — например, трамвайных путей или «лежачих полицейских», на которых Mitsubishi Outlander подпрыгивает, как испуганная лошадь, заставляя пассажиров испытать несколько неприятных мгновений. Full привод задействуется только зимой или в совсем уж неподходящих для нормального движения условиях. Кстати, при подъёме на такие городские препятствия, как высокие бордюры, Mitsubishi Outlander даёт водителю преимущество, выражающееся в возможности передачи до 100% крутящего момента как на переднюю, так и на заднюю ось.
Test drive a car Subaru Forester:
The 2.4-liter Mitsubishi engine gives the vehicle good dynamics, although it doesn’t make a sportcar out of it. The active transmission mode, in which the shift paddles can change fixed gear ratios of the variator, seems to be completely superfluous - the Outlander behaves quite confidently when using automation. The element of the car is a smooth and unhurried city ride, in which there is no place for recklessness and indicative starts from a traffic light - for a large family crossover, which is the Mitsubishi Outlander, this is a significant advantage.
If we compare the Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester with each other, the second car shows itself from a completely different side. The car as if forces the driver to actively get under way, leaving behind even quite powerful cars. Of course, this incredible power flow, which was characteristic of previous generations of Subaru Forester turbocharged engines combined with manual transmissions, did not remain, but the car still belongs to the most dynamic urban crossovers. And here you already want to use “virtual” fixed gears, of which there are as many as 8. In the Forester. However, if you want to prefer economy, you just need to choose the automatic mode of operation of the Subaru Forester transmission and try not to push the gas pedal too hard.
Test drive a car Mitsubishi Outlander:
Subaru's suspension in the city sometimes seems inappropriately stiff - it makes passengers feel not only major irregularities, but also such minor road defects as cracks on the asphalt and the joints of the surface. Looking at this, you unwittingly slow down the speed in front of the tram tracks - and absolutely nothing! After all, the energy intensity of the suspension Subaru Forester fully disclosed at medium speed, which allows almost not to touch the brakes, even on the streets with very poor coverage. However, the Forester still tires - if the road is not ideal, you will have to get used to the constant small shaking.
Do I really appreciate?
Another important quality for a modern crossover is practicality, which is expressed in the capacity of the trunk and rear sofa. And here the comparison of Forester and Outlander would be more appropriate. Opening the back door, you first wondered - where did the dimensions so huge for the urban crossover go to Mitsubishi Outlander? The useful volume of the luggage compartment in the car from Mitsubishi is 480 liters, which is far from a record figure. In addition, the wheel arches protrude to the center by a sort of square "thumbs" that significantly impair the ability to load large items. However, the Mitsubishi Outlander can please us with the transformation of the cabin - when the back sofa falls to the floor, the capacity of the compartment increases to almost 1.7 cubic meters with a flat floor.
Now let's move forward a bit - it becomes immediately clear why the trunk of the Mitsubishi Outlander with a fully opened sofa does not make us happy with its capacity. There is enough space for three passengers who will not feel cramped, even if each of them is a professional weightlifter. In Outlander a lot of space between the two rows of seats, and over the head of riders. In addition, the rear landing is close to perfect - you can’t find a single ergonomic miscalculation, although some may seem a little short pillow.
If you decide which is better - Forester or Outlander, then the Subaru crossover will look more convenient and practical when looking through the fifth door. Wheel arches in the trunk are not so large and have a rounded shape, allowing you to free up some space for loading equipment used in a long journey. However, with the transformation of the cabin trunk Subaru Forester increases from 500 liters to 1.55 cubic meters, which is significantly less than the Mitsubishi Outlander. In addition, the step formed on the floor, which prevents large flat objects from being loaded in, causes annoyance.
Yes, and with the space in the back row, everything is not so good - the passengers are freely placed in the Subaru Forester in width, but they feel some lack of space in length and height. But at their service is a chic armrest, in the lower level of which there are large glass holders, allowing to place not only 0.5 liter bottles and cups of coffee, but also larger vessels, for example, from McDonald's. The Subaru Forester also has no problems with the convenience of landing on the back seat, although the tightness spoils the sensation somewhat.
Design Competition
Salon
Stylists Mitsubishi applied the original solution, paving around the center console, the dashboard with the steering wheel and the left deflector chrome frame and filling the free space inside it with lacquered plastic. However, in general, if you compare Forester and Outlander, the latter will give way to its competitor, produced by Subaru. In the interior design of the Mitsubishi Outlander, only hard plastic is used, which responds with an unpleasant booming sound at the slightest impact on it. In addition, neither the steering wheel with large spokes, trimmed with the same cheap plastic, nor the space under the center console Outlander, in which only the selector mode of the gearbox is selected, does not cause any enthusiasm.
However, there are some advantages in simplicity - the interior is fairly easy to clean. 
Discounts for new cars! Profitable loan from 9.9% installments 0% 
adom.ru, and pollution is not so clearly visible on a gray background. In addition, Mitsubishi Outlander devices are perfectly readable in many respects precisely because of their simplicity - when looking at them you do not waste a fraction of a second of precious time, which is so important with a rapid change in road conditions. The chairs have an optimal shape, although again, some will feel like a short cushion, while others will complain about Outlander’s too wide lateral support. A rather interesting feature of Mitsubishi Outlander is the use of deep tank in the front armrest. - you can put in it not only small things like a memory card for a multimedia system, but also a thermos and a dry ration for the entire company going on a picnic.
Salon Subaru Forester looks much better, although very ambiguous. The materials used are very good, but the appearance of the front panel evokes thoughts about the late 90s - only the large screen of the multimedia system and additional electronic devices under the visor can be distracted from them, although they look alien here. That's what immediately attracts attention in the Subaru Forester - these are beautiful devices in which each of the two dials is framed with a chrome frame. The Forester steering wheel with relatively thin knitting needles, adorned with a scatter of keys, also looks interesting.
Appearance
After the last restyling, Mitsubishi Outlander began to look more bulky - thanks in large part to a very narrow grille and a tiny brand logo. The situation is aggravated by the Outlander bumper with a large slot in it, which is very prominent forward. However, there is one original detail in the front end, which visually facilitates it, making the overall appearance of the Mitsubishi Outlander more harmonious and balanced - it is large curved underpipes, rising from the bottom of the bumper to the headlights. From the side, Mitsubishi’s designers used a large stamped line that runs the entire length of the sides — it gives the crossover look more dynamic. The back also looks nice - that's just the bright lights too contrasted with the body of the Mitsubishi Outlander when choosing a dark color.
If you compare Outlander against Forester, the car from Subaru will be much more harmonious despite some disproportion caused by greater height and increased ground clearance. The front of the Subaru Forester looks really aggressive at the expense of a large bumper with punchings, as well as two slots in the center, separated by a powerful plastic crossbar. Even more aggressive Forester attached headlights, tapering to the center of a small "step". Seen from the side, the Subaru Forester seems somewhat ponderous due to the swollen wheel arches and the straight bottom glazing. But the rear view is very harmonious - it attracts the attention of acute-angled headlights and a bumper strongly protruding.
Gentleman's manners?
Of course, with the change of generations, both the Subaru Forester and the Mitsubishi Outlander became more comfortable - however, at the same time, they had to sacrifice increased maneuverability. Of course, Subaru allows you to move over rough terrain more confidently, but it also gives up sooner or later. But the Mitsubishi Outlander wins in capacity, although inferior to the competitor in terms of dynamics and interior design.
