2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Black: A Bold Choice for Family Comfort and Style

If you’re considering the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Black, you're looking for style, affordability, and a family-friendly SUV that's easy on the eyes. With its striking design and three-row seating, the Outlander makes a solid statement in the compact SUV market. Below, we’ll cover all the details: performance, design, tech features, and everything you need to know about the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Black.

What's New in the 2024 Outlander?

Fresh Updates

The Outlander has made a few key changes for 2024. These include:

• Free Scheduled Maintenance: Mitsubishi now offers free maintenance for the first two years or 30,000 miles.
• Platinum Edition Introduction: A stylish new trim with a unique Black Diamond paint scheme paired with an Alloy Silver roof.

These updates enhance both the ownership experience and the aesthetics of the Outlander.

Pricing and Trims

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander starts at around $30,200, with the price climbing up to $42,860 for the Platinum Edition. Notably, the Black Edition trim, which adds exclusive styling elements, starts at $34,660. It’s recommended to check for any potential savings from dealers as Kelley Blue Book suggests buyers might pay $1,300 to $2,000 less than the MSRP, depending on the trim and equipment level​.

Price Breakdown:

• ES: $30,200
• SE: $33,460
• SE Black Edition: $34,660
• SEL: $36,960
• Ralliart: $38,460
• SEL Black Edition: $39,460
• Platinum Edition: $42,860

Design & Aesthetics

Assertive Exterior

The 2024 Outlander Black is strikingly bold in its design, maintaining a compact SUV footprint while offering three-row seating. This SUV looks and feels larger than a typical compact due to its rugged yet refined styling. The Black Edition enhances its assertiveness with distinctive black accents and sleek lines that lend an upscale touch.

Interior Comfort

Inside, the Outlander boasts a clean and functional cabin with decent-quality materials. Higher trims elevate the feel with semi-aniline leather seats and diamond-stitched upholstery. The cabin accommodates up to seven passengers, though realistically, the third row is best for small children. The third row’s legroom is quite tight at 18.7 inches, making it less practical for adult passengers.

With the third row folded down, there’s ample cargo space of up to 79.7 cubic feet.

Performance and Handling

The Outlander is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower. While the engine might feel "tepid" for some, particularly during hard acceleration, the ride quality is quite comfortable, and the steering and brakes are user-friendly. This setup makes it easy to drive around the city or take on family road trips.

The engine's modest power is certainly not the Outlander's strong suit, but its handling benefits from sharing a platform with the Nissan Rogue. The ride is smooth, and body lean is well-controlled when cornering, making the driving experience pleasant even if it's not sporty.

Potential Drawback: The engine may feel underpowered for drivers who want more acceleration, especially when the SUV is fully loaded.

Technology and Features

Mitsubishi has packed the 2024 Outlander Black with modern features to enhance driver comfort and convenience. Key features include:

• All-Wheel Drive (S-AWC): Offered as Mitsubishi’s “Super All-Wheel Control,” it gives you added confidence in challenging road conditions. Various drive modes like Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud help tailor the driving experience to the road ahead.

• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: Seamless smartphone integration is standard across all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims with a larger touchscreen.

• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel: Enhances comfort, especially on long drives, and is standard starting from the SE trim.

• Powered Tailgate: Standard in the SE trim and up, the power tailgate makes loading and unloading easy with adjustable opening heights.

• 12.3-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster: Available in the SE Tech package, this customizable driver display provides easy access to crucial information.

• Head-Up Display: Part of the SEL’s Touring package, it projects information directly onto the windshield for safe, eyes-on-the-road driving.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2024 Outlander offers decent fuel economy for its class. Front-wheel-drive models achieve 27 mpg combined (24 city/31 highway), while all-wheel-drive versions are not far behind with 26 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway). It uses regular gasoline, keeping ownership costs manageable.

Pros and Cons

The Good

• Decent Interior Space & Comfort: The Outlander comfortably accommodates families, with added seating versatility for up to seven.
• Excellent Warranties: Mitsubishi’s warranties are competitive, offering peace of mind for new buyers.
• All-Wheel Drive Availability: Provides better traction and safety for varying weather conditions.

The Not-So-Good

• Limited Dealership Network: Mitsubishi has fewer dealerships compared to some competitors, which could affect service accessibility.
• Tepid Engine Performance: The 181-horsepower engine may feel sluggish, particularly during spirited driving or when the vehicle is fully loaded.

Trim Comparisons and Competitors

The Outlander faces stiff competition from other compact SUVs. Here are some key rivals to consider:

• Kia Sorento: With a starting price in the low $30K range, it offers better third-row space with 29.6 inches of legroom. However, the Outlander’s design might sway buyers looking for a more rugged look.

• Volkswagen Tiguan: Starts in the high $20K range but cannot combine all-wheel drive with three-row seating. It’s an option if two rows are sufficient for your needs.

• Honda CR-V: Starting around $29.5K, it offers a more refined ride and higher fuel efficiency but lacks a third-row seating option.

Final Thoughts: Is the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Black for You?

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Black offers a unique blend of style, functionality, and value. With its three-row seating, attractive design, and reasonable price point, it’s a compelling option for families who need flexibility but don’t want to break the bank.

While its engine might lack the punch some drivers crave, its overall package — from fuel efficiency to available tech features — makes it a well-rounded option in the compact SUV market. Considering its free scheduled maintenance for two years, it’s worth a test drive for those seeking a versatile family SUV.

For the best deal, remember to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to ensure you’re getting the right price when negotiating with dealerships.