New vs Used: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
In this new vs used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comparison, we evaluate a used 2019 model against a new 2023 model to find the best value.
Outlander Sport: New vs Used
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This new vs. used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comparison pits a lightly worn 2019 model against a factory-fresh 2023 unit. You might think a lot has changed in that five-year span, but that is not the case. In fact, the Outlander Sport has been largely the same since it debuted in 2011, which is an eternity in automotive years.
Trims have been shuffled, faces have been lifted, and features have been added, but the base engine is identical today to when it arrived over 10 years ago. Perhaps the biggest news for 2023 is that AWD is now standard across the lineup.
However, this smallest of Mitsubishi SUVs does have a nice roster of standard equipment and an excellent powertrain warranty. Aimed at the urban runabout crowd, the Outlander Sport also offers reasonable pricing. But is it worth spending up for the new model or should you save some dough and go shop the used market? Read on to find out which approach is best!
Specs
Looking over the specs of this new vs. used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport matchup reveals a lot of similarities. In both cases, the base motor is a 2.0L inline-4 producing 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Only GT models come with the slightly more powerful 2.4L four-pot that makes 168 horses and 167 torques.
In 2019, front-wheel-drive was standard and AWD was optional. As of 2023, FWD is no longer available and AWD is standard. Across both model years, Mitsubishi includes a Drive Mode Selector on AWD Outlander Sports with options for 2WD, 4WD Auto, and 4WD Lock.
Another notable difference is that the base 2019 Outlander Sport was fitted with a 5-speed manual as standard equipment, but this configuration was discontinued the following year due to a dismal take rate. All other models come with a continuously-variable transmission, which became standard in 2020.
Fuel economy in AWD guise is identical from year to the next at 26 mpg combined for the 2.0L motor and 25 mpg combined for the 2.4L unit. The FWD 2.0L combination from 2019 offers the best fuel efficiency with a 27-mpg combined rating.
Driving and Performance
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport nameplate may be misleading as there’s not a whole lot of sportiness happening. It does ride on a fully-independent suspension with a multi-link rear, which offers planted handling. But the base motor is a weakling and the 2.4L variant isn’t dramatically more powerful.
And the 2023 Ralliart edition is even more of a misnomer. That name harkens back to hardcore Mitsubishi rally racers. In Outlander Sport form, it means colorful body graphics and branded floor mats. As for ride quality, the biggest wheels offered are 18 inches in diameter, so the Outlander Sport dodges the flintiness that comes with 20-inch wheels frequently found on competitors. In the driving department, there’s little-to-no difference between the 2019 and 2023 Outlander Sport.
Comfort and Interior
On the comfort front, Mitsubishi fits the Outlander Sport with standard automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and power accessories from 2019 forward. As you move through the trim hierarchies of both model years, niceties like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats are offered. Most models come with fabric upholstery; if you want genuine leather, only the 2023 GT model can offer it.
Since the Outlander Sport has not changed dimensionally since 2011, cargo space and legroom are identical from 2019 to 2023. There are 22 cubic feet of space behind the rear bench seat, which can fold in a 60/40 split configuration, and 49 cubes when it’s lowered. Rear legroom measures 36 inches, which is competitive as the Hyundai Venue offers 34 inches for this metric.
Infotainment is one area that has seen changes over the years in the Outlander Sport. 2019 models came only with a 7-inch central touchscreen and required at least an LE model for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For 2023, that smartphone software still requires at least an LE, but a larger 8-inch display is also included. Technology like satellite radio and rear USB ports are available regardless of model year and you’ll still need at least the SE trim in 2023 to upgrade the stereo system from four speakers to six.
Trims and Features
The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was offered in four trim lines – ES, LE, SE, and GT. Standard fare included 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, cruise control, a 7-inch infotainment screen, and a backup camera. LE trim brought fog lamps, heated front seats, and smartphone mirroring, while the SE featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Top-spec GT models came with HID headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.
For 2023, a new S model is the base Outlander Sport that comes with 16-inch steel wheels, full LED headlights, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. From ES trim and above, 18-inch wheels are standard, while the LE adds heated front seats and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2023 Outlander Sport SE models bring blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert along, while the new Ralliart setup is basically a graphics package. The nearly $30,000 GT adds leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat to the mix. For more coverage of the 2023 Outlander Sport, check out our in-depth review here.
The Verdict
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Aside from more standard driver aids on the 2023 Outlander Sport versus the 2019 model and a slightly larger infotainment screen, there is not a whole lot of difference between the two crossovers. Besides pricing of course. The base 2023 model starts at about $25,000, an LE will run you $28,000, the SE is $29,000, and the GT is just shy of $30,000. These new Outlander Sports also come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. So did the 2019 models, but it is not transferable to a new owner.
Looking over the listings at Carsforsale.com, a 2019 Outlander Sport with between 30,000 and 80,000 miles is roughly $15,000 to $20,000 for an ES, LE, or SE, while the hard-to-find GT is closer to $25,000. Given that the Outlander Sport has hardly changed between 2019 and 2023, and assuming you could find one to your liking for less than $20,000, there’s no reason to shop the new model. Instead, save a bundle, skip the depreciation, and find a lightly used 2019 Outlander Sport in LE trim or above in order to access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
