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The Mitsubishi Outlander is a tidy and versatile sport utility vehicle that offers a choice of a thrifty four-cylinder engine or a responsive V6, two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, five or seven-passenger seating, an affordable price, and an appealing list of standard and optional features, all wrapped up in an attractive and modern shape.The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on Outlander ES and SE models, which are EPA-rated 20/25 mpg City/Highway. The four-cylinder engine is matched with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, designed to offer good fuel economy and operating smoothness. The Outlander XLS is standard with a 220-horsepower V6, which is matched to a six-speed automatic with a sport-shift feature, and a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system. The Outlander can seat up to seven passengers when equipped with a fold-down, compact third-row seat. All models come with a full complement of occupant safety features. The Outlander features an electronic skid and traction control system and a modern four-wheel independent suspension. Its available four-wheel-drive system is designed more to be pavement-friendly than backwoods-capable. The Outlander can be equipped to be quite luxurious, boasting automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, a rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch LCD screen and wireless remote and headphones. A GPS navigation system featuring a seven-inch touch-screen is available with a hard disk for speedy data retrieval and recorded audio tracks. Formula 1-style magnesium shift paddles mounted on the steering column allow the driver to shift manually, while a keyless ignition system eliminates the need to fuss with keys. All Outlanders are available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (4WD). The four-cylinder version is rated to tow 1500 pounds; the V6 is tow-rated at 2000 pounds with 2WD, and 3500 pounds with 4WD because the 4WD models come with a bigger radiator. For 2009, a third row, giving seven-passenger seating capacity, is optionally available with the four-cylinder SE model, the factory-optional navigation system on the XLS six-cylinder model now includes a rear-view camera and the hard-disc drive capacity is increased from 30 GB to 40 GB. Other changes for 2009 include some new features and trim details. The LS V6 model has been dropped. Competitive performance, fuel economy, and interior space along with aggressive pricing make the Mitsubishi Outlander a compelling SUV.
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