First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is right-sized at the right time

Filed under: Crossover, Mitsubishi, First Drive

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

From all outward appearances, Mitsubishi could be considered the Chrysler of Japan. Its products have grown fragmented. Its focus scattershot. Its past interiors… well, the less said the better. So it was a breath of fresh air to hear that Mitsubishi’s attention will be centered on two core marques going forward: the Lancer and Outlander.

With the Galant toiling away in obscurity and the Eclipse a heavyweight shell of its former self, the Japanese automaker’s compact sedan and crossover lines are the two remaining bright spots in its portfolio (all-electric iMiEV aside).

And if you’re looking for a Lancer, Mitsubishi has you covered. In spades. A basic runabout? Easy. A tech-laden, turbocharged, all-wheel drive sports sedan. Done. Name your price and priorities, and there’s a Lancer for you.

But what about the Outlander?

According to Bryan Arnett, Mitsubishi’s Manager of Product Strategy, the Outlander brand is set to expand in the coming years. In addition to the four trim levels – topped off by the surprisingly entertaining GT – there’s room to fill above and below. While the Endeavor currently sits at the peak of the company’s CUV pile (for the time being), Mitsubishi needs something on the small side to compete with the new Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and upcoming Nissan Juke. It’s a segment that – according to most automakers – is set to explode in the new few years, and Mitsubishi wants to be a player. Enter the Outlander Sport, a right-sized CUV that takes the core components of its bigger brother and distills them into a smaller, lighter package.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport