Should You Take the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Off Road?

The 2022 Mitsubishi has some off-road capabilities, but it’s not equipped to handle extreme road conditions.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
When equipped with all-wheel drive, the 2022
Mitsubishi Outlander
is quite adept at handling light off-roading adventures. But considering it’s a compact SUV, serious road warriors might want to look elsewhere. 
If you’re looking to venture out to parts unknown, a tough off-road vehicle is a must. But before getting behind the wheel, make sure your vehicle is up to the task of conquering the rough terrain and unpredictable road conditions. 
Don’t know where to start? No problem!
Jerry
, the #1 rated
super app
that saves you money on
car insurance
, is here to give you the rundown on off-road specs for the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander—along with some additional off-roading alternatives. 

Can the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander go off road?

Yes—but proceed with caution. While it might not be the top pick for hardcore off-roaders, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander does have some capacity to go off-road. 
Starting at $27,790, the compact SUV is capable of casual off-roading when outfitted with all-wheel drive, but you should still tread lightly. 
Ready to see what the Outlander is made of? Let’s look at some of the important specs. 
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Ground clearance

It’s crucial to protect the undercarriage of your vehicle when you go off-road, so you’ll want to pay attention to your ground clearance, also known as ride height. The latest Mitsubishi Outlander has a ground clearance of 8.3 inches, making it a risky choice for intense off-roading. 
For the best off-roading experience, you’ll usually want a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. The higher the distance is between your vehicle and the ground, the better your vehicle is able to tackle various off-road conditions. Alas, the Outlander barely misses the mark by 0.5 inches for an exemplary off-road vehicle, but it can still handle light off-roading trips. 

Torque

High amounts of torque at a lower rpm, also known as low-end torque, is key when it comes to off-roading. Driving through mud or other tough terrain requires superior turning power to get you out of sticky situations. 
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets a maximum torque of 181 @ 3600 RPM. This is not considered enough power for harsh road conditions, making the compact SUV less than desirable for extreme off-roading adventures. 

Tires

The 2022 Outlander comes with 235/60R18 tires. These all-season tires provide the necessary traction required when driving through a wide range of weather and road conditions. But
all-terrain tires
offer even more traction and stability when traveling to unknown territories. 

Drivetrain

Front-wheel drive comes standard on the Outlander, but all-wheel drive is optional. If you’re serious about taking your compact SUV off-road, opt for the highest
Outlander SEL Launch Edition
trim. It comes equipped with Super All-Wheel Control, which has six different drive modes, including the new MUD mode and 4WD mode that will help you conquer more difficult road conditions. 

Angles

Off-roading is all about the angles: 
  • Approach angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can ascend without conflict 
  • Departure angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can descend without conflict
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has an approach angle of 22.5 degrees and a departure angle of 22.5 degrees. Your compact SUV may be capable of handling some slightly steep climbs, but don’t push it. 

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

So where does the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander rank using
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system? We break it down in the table below:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
Based on the specs above, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander receives an R rating. The compact SUV is suitable for more casual off-roading adventures and capable of handling most dirt roads and mildly bumpy terrain. Butif you’re a serious off-roader who loves taking the road less traveled, you might want to go with a well-equipped vehicle that’s off-road ready like the
Jeep Wrangler
or the
Toyota 4Runner

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 

There are many options to choose from if you’re looking for a compact SUV with some off-roading capacity. While the Outlander can handle some rough roads, you might want to opt for a vehicle with ample off-road capabilities. 
Here are the best alternatives to the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander:
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2021 Nissan Rogue
$26,050
If you’re looking for a compact SUV with similar features but want to save almost $2,000, the Rogue might be for you.
Best roomier alternative
2022 Honda CR-V
$27,860
The CR-V comes with more passenger space and a larger cargo area compared to the Outlander around the same price range.
Best alternative for serious off-roading
2022 Subaru Forester
$25,895
Serious road warriors that prefer a compact SUV will enjoy this all-wheel drive vehicle that boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance for all trim levels.
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

One disadvantage of owning an off-road vehicle is that they tend to be more costly to insure considering the added risk factor that comes with off-roading. But have no fear! Car insurance comparison super app
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