Mitsubishi’s New 2022 Outlander Begins To Pile Up Accolades

Mitsubishi is one of America’s smallest automotive brands by sales. However, the company’s products are far from forgotten by those who review and evaluate vehicles. The newest and most important of Mitsubishi’s offerings is the all-new Outlander. This new crossover competes with vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe, and many other two-row crossovers. Unlike those two-row models, the Outlander’s third-row pop-up seating for kids also extends its appeal to those who might consider a Toyota Highlander or a Kia Sorento. Let’s take a look at some awards the new Outlander has earned from third-party evaluations.

Related Story: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Goes 160,000 Miles With Only Routine Maintenance

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander - IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus
The Outlander has earned the highest possible rating from the Insurance Institue for Highway Safety. The Top Safety Pick Plus award is reserved for those vehicles that achieve the highest crash test and active safety scores, as well as offering the highest possible headlight score on at least one trim. Notable vehicles that have yet to earn this award for the current model year are the Tesla Model Y and the Toyota RAV4.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander -Wards 10 Best Interiors Winner
Past Outlanders that we have tested impressed us with leather seating at a cost well below the competition. We also remember seeing a large touch screen with Android Auto and Apple Car Play in the Outlander before we saw it in other popular models.

Designers working on the new 2022 Outlander’s interior adopted the concept of Omotenashi, or next-level Japanese hospitality. The Wards 10 Best Interiors award recognizes vehicles with outstanding aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, materials usage, fit-and-finish, and user-friendliness of displays and controls. Commenting on this award, Industry Analyst and Wards 10 Best Interiors Judge Bob Gritzinger said, "Super job of taking it to another level with unique interior touches that allow it to stand above the crowd in this highly competitive segment."

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander - Highest Segment Ranking In J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
In the newest J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) released in August, Mitsubishi scored best among crossover brands and third overall in the entire industry. Mitsubishi tied with Lexus to earn a score of 144.

Those shopping for a crossover featuring high quality, industry-leading safety, and an award-winning interior now have a new model to consider.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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