Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial (2013 – 2021) Review

Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial (2013 – 2021) At A Glance

4/5

+Good to drive, tight turning circle for a 4x4, positive gearchange, strong yet refined 2.2-litre diesel engine, PHEV version offer decent economy.

-Limited appeal for tough work, carpeted load area will wear easily, has lost the split tailgate of its predecessor.

While the market for 4x4 based vans may not be a big one, that's not to say there aren't some very capable and strong models available. They're ideal if you want a commercial vehicle with four-wheel drive that can handle genuinely tough terrain but don't require full sized van. It's no surprise to see them proving popular with utility companies and rural police forces.

Mitsubishi has its fair share of 4x4s with commercial versions of the Shogun and ASX along with the Outlander. This latest version moves more upmarket with better refinement and improved comfort. It's powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 149PS which gives impressive performance, even when fully laden. Yet it's still quiet and rarely has to be worked hard. That's down to the 380Nm of torque available while economy is good at a claimed 53.3mpg.

PHEV versions return CO2 emissions of just 41g/km, while advertised fuel consumption of 166mpg and an all-electric range of 33 miles promises low running costs. 

As it's based on the latest Outlander passenger car, the commercial version comes with a good cabin. It's far better than many rivals with a solid and well-built feel. It gets all the basics right with comfortable seats, good sound insulation and a forgiving ride. It comes with plenty of kit as standard too including climate control, electric windows plus automatic lights and wipers. It's impressively safe too with seven airbags and a five star Euro NCAP rating.

Sadly it has lost the split tailgate of its predecessor, replacing it with a standard tailgate. That means no handy shelf for loading or working on. The load area is carpeted too which seems wrong in a car designed for outdoor work. It won't suffer much abuse before it starts to wear. A rubber floor would have made more sense. On the plus side there is a steel mesh bulkhead between the cabin and the load area, although it does rattle a lot on the move.

Where the Outlander shines is on the road. It's comfortable on the move while a small turning circle makes tight manouevres much easier than in many pick-ups. On the motorway it's quiet with a forgiving ride making it ideal for long distance work. The four-wheel drive system is on-demand but there is a 4WD Lock setting for extra traction if you're venturing properly off road.