FINDING an edge over rivals is tough enough in any company. Achieving it in a class as competitive as the compact SUV is even harder.

Mitsubishi is confident the multi-terrain traction system it has added to the V6 version of its Outlander will pay dividends.

    IN A WORD
  • Make: Mitsubishi
  • Model: Outlander
  • Price: From $33,240
  • Road test: JOHN PARRY

A feature that is a first for this class, Super-All Wheel Control, or S-AWC, comes from Mitsubishi's experience in off-road and rally racing.

It gives the driver a choice of three traction settings - tarmac, sand and locked - to improve grip over a wide range of conditions, including wet tarmac, gravel roads, rocky tracks and mud, snow and ice, all at the twist of a rotary dial.

It combines an active front differential and an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive coupling with stability control, yaw control and anti-lock brakes, to prevent wheel slip between and across the front and rear axles and provide optimal handling and traction on all surfaces.

S-AWC is an advance on the Outlander's standard electronically controlled, on-demand all-wheel-drive system, fitted to four-cylinder versions. This allows the driver to switch from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive and then to four-wheel-drive with the centre differential locked.

The Outlander not only looks smart and well-proportioned - it also feels enticing to drive.

Cosmetic changes for this year include a new corporate "fighter plane" grille and revised front bumper, side mirrors, headlights, fenders and bonnet.

Inside, the trim on the seats, doors and dash has been improved. A new instrument cluster has been added, along with a sports steering wheel and drilled aluminium pedals.

The V6 is the pick of the crop. Punchy performance is perfectly matched to a silky smooth six-speed automatic transmission, with sequential mode.

It is lively, versatile and well-priced.

In addition to the S-AWC, the V6 has an engine upgrade to lift power 7kW to 169kW and torque by 15Nm to 291Nm, with hill-start assist.

With the help of tall gearing, which has the engine ticking over at 1800rpm at 100km/h, fuel economy improves by 5 per cent, to a combined figure of 10.4 litres/100km.

The front seats are well padded, with ample adjustment, but the 60:40 split middle row seats are firm and flat.

Another feature specific in this class to the Outlander is the bumper-height split tailgate.

The lower section, incorporating the bumper, drops down like a flap to lower the load height by 250mm.

And for large loads, a remote one-touch button tumble-folds the rear seats to expand the load area.

Ground clearance is a best-in-class 215mm and just 10mm less than Pajero, but like all medium SUVs, wheel travel is modest.

Even so, off-road capability is impressive, especially in the V6 with all its traction aides.

Braked towing capacity remains at 1500kg in the four-cylinder and 1600kg in the V6.

Model line-up has changed a little. There is just one seven-seater and it is an option on the four-cylinder 2.4-litre LS with CVT, at $35,240.

Entry level is the LS 2.4 manual at $33,240, then comes the XLS 2.4 CVT at $40,490, the VR 3.0-litre auto at $40,990 and the VRX 3.0 auto at $51,990.

The LS comes with stability control, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, hill-start assist, front airbags and optional side and curtain airbags.

The XLS and VR add all the airbags, climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, gear-shift paddles, high-intensity headlights with automatic self-levelling, and rear-parking sensors. The XLS also gets a six-disc audio system.

An optional luxury pack on the XLS adds a rear-view camera, sunroof, satellite navigation, premium audio, rear-seat entertainment, auto lights and wipers, leather seat trim, power driver's seat and heated front seats.

The VRX gets the lot, plus a cool and warm box in the centre console.

All models have a five-year, 130,000km warranty, a 10-year 160,000km powertrain warranty and a five-year, unlimited kilometre roadside assistance package.