2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Performance

All 2011 Outlander Sports receive Mitsubishi’s famed 2.0L MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system) DOHC inline-four engine that's worthy of 148 horses and 145 lb-ft. torque. It’s EPA-rated at 25city and 29-31highway, thanks to Mitsubishi’s diligent efforts to cut the SUV’s weight down to barely over 3,000 pounds. The bare-bones ES model comes with a 5-speed manual; the automatic CVT (continuously variable automatic) automatic is optional in it and standard on the SE models.

The 2.0L engine packs, as could be expected, just enough power for everyday passing and merging. It’s certainly not going to win many stoplight races, but the driving feel is not as boring as one might expect of an approximately $20k compact SUV. The small SUV "sprints" from a standstill to 60mph in 8.6 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in approximately 17.3 seconds. And unless you are a firmly clutch-happy patron, opt for the CVT transmission with the magnesium paddle shifters that Mitsubishi touts so highly about.