Overview

What's New for 2012:
- Recalibrated continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Slight adjustments to trim levels

Exterior Features
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is an entry-level SUV--a smaller, lighter, and less-powerful version of the Outlander. The Outlander Sport is available in the base ES trim or the premium SE trim. The ES offers front-wheel drive (FWD) and features 16-inch steel wheels and keyless entry. The SE is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (AWD) and upgrades to 18-inch alloy wheels. The SE adds keyless ignition, automatic Xenon headlights, fog lights, and a chrome tailpipe finisher.

Interior Features
Standard features on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES trim include cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, and a 4-speaker sound system. The SE offers premium cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, and a 6-speaker sound system. Behind the rear seats is 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Maximum cargo capacity with rear seats folded down is 49.5 cubic feet.

Optional Features
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport offers heated front seats with the optional AWD powertrain. The Navigation package includes a navigation system and rearview camera. The Interior package upgrades the interior trim and gearshift knob, while the Exterior package addresses both looks and performance. With the all-wheel-drive SE, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and a Rockford Fosgate sound system are available as a package, plus a navigation system as a stand-alone option.

Under the Hood
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's standard power plant is a 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower and mated to a 5-speed manual or an optional CVT, which functions as an automatic. The CVT is standard with the SE trim.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are:
- Outlander Sport with FWD and CVT: 25/31/27 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- Outlander Sport with FWD and manual transmission: 24/31/26 mpg
- Outlander Sport with AWD: 23/28/25 mpg

Safety
Standard safety features on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport include anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, hill-start assist, front-seat side air bags, driver knee air bag, and side curtain air bags.

To date, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not tested the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Outlander Sport received "Good" ratings--the Institute's highest--for frontal-offset and side-impact crash protection.