2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Specs – When Mitsubishi Australia was still building the ultimately doomed 380, another car was introduced in 2006 that was overlooked by some buyers at the time.
But looking back at what became of Mitsubishi’s local manufacturing (it crashed and burned just a few years later), it becomes clear how important this other car – the Outlander SUV – really was to the brand.
2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Specs
You see, 2006 was about the time that SUV sales – especially compacts – really took off in this market.
Mitsubishi Outlander Ii 2.0 Di D (140 Hp)
And if you study the sales figures today, where about one in three new cars is an SUV, you can see why that might be.
The new-for-2006 Outlander was an all-new model, and one that managed to clean up the looks of the previous vehicle to carry the name in a pretty big way. Gone was the anteater nose and in its place a much neater, less polarizing face.
It was also quite classy inside, with good quality materials (at least on the luxury versions) and evidence that it was put together by people who care about their work.
For many families, the Outlander’s big selling point was its optional seven seats. Of course, as with most vehicles of this type, there wasn’t much room left for luggage when all seven seats were occupied, but as a means of moving many bodies short distances, it did the trick.
Mitsubishi Outlander Phev Specs, 0 60, Quarter Mile, Lap Times
Dual front airbags were standard across the Outlander range from 2006, but if you wanted side and head airbags you had to step up to the luxury model VR-X or add them as an optional safety pack.
Not everyone did back then, but these days there’s less of a price gap between the VR-X and fewer models, so it’s not such a financial leap to get to the version with the best security.
In active safety terms, the base model LS and the one-step-up XLS again lacked a little without stability control. That changed for the 2008 model year when the LS and XLS also got stability control to match the antilock brakes and brake force distribution it’s had since its introduction.
As such, the LS, XLS and VR models only achieved four stars for safety in the ANCAP test, while the VR-X with its extra airbags achieved five stars.
Vin Decoder And Lookup For Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0
Outlander buyers also had a choice of two powerplants for the 2006 model year. In addition to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a more powerful three-liter V6 was reserved for the top specification models (VR and VR-X).
With 125kW, the four-cylinder got the job done, but the V6’s 169kW simply made things more relaxed. There is a fuel penalty to pay for this extra performance, but it’s not huge.
The four-cylinder engine was initially only available with a CVT, continuously variable transmission, but a five-speed manual transmission option became available in 2007. The V6 was equipped with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission and built in all-wheel drive system. .
Speaking of which, it’s also worth pointing out that all pre-2011 Outlanders are four-wheel drive with no two-wheel drive as seen in the current range.
Mitsubishi Outlander 2020
A handful of recalls also affect this Outlander model, and it’s definitely worth checking to see if a specific car has been affected and fixed.
Cars made before May 2008 have been recalled for a potentially defective brake light switch that can suddenly cut power to the brake lights.
Some Outlanders have been recalled for a problem that requires increased brake pedal effort when the car starts very slowly with virtually no throttle from a standstill.
The brakes still work but the pedal can feel like it needs more pressure with the potential for some rs to think the brakes have failed.
Mitsubishi Outlander Review & Ratings
Finally, early-build LS and XLS versions were fitted with the factory-optional chrome exhaust extension to check for a dodgy bracket that could see off the end of the tailpipe (interesting for all cars that followed).
In addition, Mitsubishi has a good reputation for strong engines and the pair fitted to the Outlander seems to follow this tradition.
However, make sure that there is a service record and any car that young should have no gaps where scheduled services were skipped.
On CVT equipped cars, make sure there is no excessive slippage in the transmission. This can be difficult to judge because a certain amount of “slip” is evident in the way the transmission normally operates. If in doubt, consult a transmission specialist who can assess the health of the CVT in question.
Mitsubishi Outlander Technical Specifications And Fuel Economy
On the rare five-speed manual version of the Outlander, a little bearing rattle from the gearbox seems perfectly normal when the vehicle is in neutral and the clutch is released. This is typical of Mitsubishi manuals, but any excess noise or vibration should be carefully checked.
Look under the vehicle for damage and signs of off-road use, and if it’s there, it’s probably best to pass up the particular example and get one that’s never been further than a national park parking lot.
Take a look inside while you’re at it. The demands of families can often make the interior of a car quite used in a short time.
The rather dark, blue plastic of the lower-spec models is easily scratched, but so are the bright, faux-metal finishes in the cabin of the VR and VR-X. At least such damage and wear are easy to see.
Bán Xe Cũ Mitsubishi Outlander 2006 2006 Tại Hồ Chí Minh
Nissan X-Trail – A little less sleek to look at, but the X-Trail is spacious inside. Interior plastic and some repairs can cost more than you think. 3 stars
Toyota RAV4 – Long-wheelbase RAV4 is another typical Toyota. Which means it gets the job done without difficulty (or much flair) and should do for many years. 3.5 stars
Subaru Forester – Don’t write it off until you’ve tried it. More conventional station wagon looks hide the same kind of loose surface smarts as the others, but it’s probably easier to live with. 4 stars
Morley is a long-time senior contributor to , and our regular second-hand expert. As an avid car collector and tinkerer, he knows what to look for – and pay attention to – when buying a new car.
