All-new Mitsubishi Outlander earns TopSafety Pick+ award

The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander scored the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US. This allowed the compact crossover to earn the 'TopSafety Pick+' award.  

This award applies to the US-spec model built after June 2021, wherein certain adjustments to its headlight aiming were made by the company. Aside from its distinctive exterior design and a generous amount of convenience features, the all-new Outlander also comes with a suite of driver-assist technology that makes driving safer. MI-PILOT Assist integrates Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA). 

Depending on the trim, the US-spec model could come with Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP). Also, on top of those high-tech features is a set of 11 airbags. 

Furthermore, the compact crossover was also recognized for its high level of collision safety performance and preventive safety performance in the IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, front crash prevention tests, and headlight evaluation. It seems that Mitsubishi has been slaying the segment in terms of safety as its generous specification is coupled with strong crash performance.

Notably, the Outlander shares a number of commonalities with the all-new Nissan X-Trail, from the platform to the 2.5-liter direct-injected, naturally-aspirated, gasoline engine mated to a CVT. Power figures are rated at 181 hp and 245 Nm of torque, plus, buyers can opt between a 2WD or S-AWC drivetrain.

Locally, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is still selling its previous generation in PHEV form, with no gasoline variant available for the local market. No official words yet from the brand if they’re planning to bring this in, though if they do, then this could open the chance for a gasoline-fed variant. Plus, the Philippine-spec model could also come with its state-of-the-art safety features.