Mitsubishi opens up a new chapter with the redesigned 2016 Outlander

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander marks a new era for the automaker.

Mitsubishi has certainly made it clear that the brand is headed in a new direction, one that will mark a new era in the company’s history. That new era begins today as Mitsubishi unveiled the 2016 Outlander here at the New York auto show.

More than just a refresh, the Outlander not only sports the new design language of the automaker, but also features over 100 design and engineering tweaks. Mitsu hopes these changes bring about a new level of refinement to the SUV.

“The new Outlander literally looks, drives and feels like an entirely new vehicle, making it an even more compelling value than before,”said MMNA Executive Vice President, Don Swearingen.

He’s certainly not wrong about the looks. The new “Dynamic Shield”feature not only brings style, but also adds a new level of bumper side protection that was previously found on the Montero. From the fascia to the rear, the Outlander gets a complete makeover, looking sharper than ever, accented by LED position lights and standing proud on 19-inch alloy wheels.

Moving things along on the inside, the cabin gets much more refined soft touch surfaces and a new, more function-laden steering wheel. Though fresh from an upgrade, the interior still doesn’t exactly change the game of luxury. Instead, it focuses on the standard useful functions we often take for granted. This includes a six-speaker, 140-watt sound system, which features a FUSE hands-free link to mobile devices. The 60/40-split rear seats and an evenly split 50/50 third row that folds flat should makes it simple to utilize the full extent of cabin space.

The real star of the 2016 Outlander is what lies underneath the pretty exterior. Both the platform and the drivetrain receive a multitude of improvements that should give this SUV a much more composed ride. Steps have been taken to increase the structural rigidity of the car, and to tighten the suspension to both improve handling, while also reducing vibration and harshness traveling through the vehicle.

Other improvements include a redesign of the electric power steering, thicker rear door glass, and more sound insulation throughout the car’s construction. The Outlander also has dynamic dampers on the front and rear suspension that contribute to a smoother yet more focused ride.

If you’ve been waiting patiently for engine specifications, well, so have we! Of all the details given to us about the Outlander, none of them have been about the power plant. The current version has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6, but it’s unknown if either of these will carry over. Maybe Mitsubishi is keeping one last surprise for us close to its chest. We’ll certainly know when the car is closer to production.