Apples and oranges: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Audi Q3
Today, we’re comparing a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with a 2016 Audi Q3, two vehicles at opposite ends of the price range for compact crossovers.
Why?
Because they’re the last two cars I’ve driven, they fall into the same crossover category, and they both did well by me in heavy traffic up and down the East Coast leading into the July 4 holiday weekend.
We put more than 1,000 miles on the Outlander Sport, driving to Fredericksburg, VA, for a family wedding.
The base Outlander Sport—not to be confused with the midsize Outlander, which was introduced in this space by colleague Keith Griffin last weekend—has a base price starting at $21,445 (including destination) for the two-wheel-drive ES. Out test vehicle was a step up the trim level ladder, the SE AWC (all-wheel-drive). It started out at $25,045 and had a $4,900 Touring package that pretty much maxed it out at this trim level with a $29,945 bottom line.
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Mitsubishi & Audi among IIHS’s 2015 Top Safety Pick+ Winners
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Added equipment included a seven-inch touchscreen and navigation with traffic information, leather seating surfaces, premium sound system, auto-dimming mirror, panoramic glass roof, power driver’s seat, and black roof rails.
My local pal, Tom, owns a base model that he bought for under $20,000 and calls it a great deal for a small family’s transportation needs.
We’d agree with that and take it further by saying the optional package didn’t add anything we couldn’t have lived without if we were buying solely for price.
However, the vehicle itself did just fine by us, averaging 30.3 miles per gallon, and IT never missed a beat.
However, all those miles revealed a few flaws.
The 2.0-liter engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) got the job done, but we’d have liked the extra power of the 2.4-liter engine that comes in higher trim levels. Mitsubishi says the CVT is the equivalent of a seven-speed conventional automatic transmission and that worked just fine.
We trusted the navigation system, which kept announcing that traffic conditions up ahead had worsened and asking if we wanted to take an alternative route.
We did. However, the conditions must have been terrible because the system kept giving us alternative routes off of the alternative routes, in all adding two hours to the trip. That likely was considerably more time than we’d have lost if we stayed on Rte. 95, even knowing that the stretch from just north of Baltimore to well south of D.C. can be a parking lot.
Somewhere along the New Jersey Turnpike, a twin to our Outlander Sport passed us.
“Hey, that’s a nice-looking car we’re driving,’’ was my comment to Mrs. G. Mitsubishi has done a nice job in styling this compact crossover.
We liked the handling, the easy-folding 60/40 split rear seats, and found the cargo space suitable for our needs. The cargo area handled two large suitcases and a giant duffle with ease and there was room to pile additional tote bags, computer bags, camera bags, and a small cooler on top.
That left the second row of seats to hold a booster seat with assorted formal wear hanging on the hook over the left rear door.
Automatic climate control worked well for the trip.
Meanwhile Audi’s Q3 delivers quiet luxury.
Our trip home took us to the South Shore of Massachusetts where we returned the Outlander Sport, expecting to be trading it for Volvo’s new XC90, a vehicle we’d have loved to take on the main trip.
However, it being on the eve of the holiday weekend, there was no one at Volvo to provide a password to personalize the vehicle’s award-winning Sensus HMI (human-machine interface) system.
Instead, we “settled’’ for Audi’s new (2016) Q3 premium compact crossover, the slightly roomier and higher version of the A3 hatchback.
Here’s where it’s mandatory to note we’re comparing apples to oranges with the Outlander Sport and Q3.
The Q3 Quattro starts at $36,188, and our test version topped out at $40,313.
However, the first thing we noticed was that the cargo area behind the second row of seats wasn’t quite as big. It handled the two suitcases, but not the duffle and assorted small bags, necessitating a revised packing plan and folding down the rear seats.
Everything else, however, was first rate, befitting a premium vehicle.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission were a notable upgrade in performance.
So was the more refined ride, interior amenities, and higher level of technology, especially notable with the sound system and navigation.
Again, we’re comparing the Q3 with the Outlander Sport, not the Audi’s upscale contemporaries such as the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, and Buick Encore.
Audi has earned a loyal (and growing) following of premium buyers who should find the Q3 equipped with the same levels of technology as its larger siblings, the Q5 and Q7.
GAUGING THE VALUE: Our Sport SE model had full instrumentation, steering-wheel controls, and intuitive controls, while leather and metallic accents abound in Audi’s premium level cabin.
We’ve skipped a horde of other choices in the compact crossover category, all of which fall in between these choices. On the smaller side, you have the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman. Stepping up a bit, you’ll find the Ford Escape, Fiat 500x, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Honda HR-V and CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage.
It’s a wide spectrum.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was a worthy value proposition, the Q3 a taste of luxury.
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $21,445/$29,945. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 24 city/30 highway/27 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 30.3. Drivetrain: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, CVT, all-wheel-drive. Body: 5-passenger compact car-based crossover.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 148. Torque: 145 lb.-ft. Overall length: 169.1 in. Wheelbase: 105.1 in. Height: 64.2 in. Width: 69.7 in. Curb weight: 3,274 lbs.
THE GOOD
Value, fuel economy, cargo space.
THE BAD
Power, audio/infotainment.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Base models a strong value proposition.
ALSO CONSIDER
Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Nissan Juke.
2016 Audi Q3 Quattro
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $36,188/$40,313. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 20 city/29 highway/23 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 26.2 (limited mileage). Drivetrain: 2.0 turbocharged 4 cylinder, 6-speed automatic, Quattro AWD. Body: 5-passenger compact crossover.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 200. Torque: 207 lb.-ft. Overall length: 172.8 in. Wheelbase: 102.5 in. Height: 62.6 in. Width: 79.5 in. (mirrors extended). Curb weight: 3,682 lbs.
THE GOOD
Refined ride, powertrain, appointments.
THE BAD
Cargo space.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A worthy entry to Audi’s crossover line.
ALSO CONSIDER
BMW X1, Buick Encore, Mercedes-Benz GLA250.
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