2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs like the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot, which had more traditional and intimidating SUV looks. The HR-V’s distinctive styling included upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trim levels featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport models getting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L offered features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L also getting leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with the “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, giving it a unique identity. The Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, had premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a premium sound system, and rear-window sunshades. The interior design adhered to minimalism with black and aluminum accents, though some interior plastics reminded of its non-luxury status. Despite this, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously inexpensive materials, maintaining an upscale look.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The HR-V’s powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was ineffective. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options. However, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. Its AWD system was suitable only for slippery roads, and it lacked ground clearance and towing capability.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a CVT. The Outlander’s S-AWC AWD system was available, though it used a brake-induced torque-vectoring system. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, but the Outlander felt most responsive in lower-speed environments. The suspension was firm, and the steering felt vague and disconnected. The Outlander struggled with acceleration on freeways and passing maneuvers, and its ride quality was brittle on anything but smooth pavement. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg, slightly below the EPA’s rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2021 Honda HR-V boasted impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded down, it offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD) with the seat up. These figures surpassed many competitors. The HR-V also excelled in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, which was simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and deeply padded armrests. The driver’s seat featured eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats and the steering wheel were heated. The controls were intuitive, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, were impressive. However, the center console had wasted space, and the third-row seat was cramped and unsafe for adults. The Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seat in use, 33.5 cubic feet with it folded down, and a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet (78.3 with the panoramic sunroof).

The base 2021 Honda HR-V LX came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard on the base trim.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The system included stereo volume and tuning knobs and a free two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard and Remote service plans. Wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system were also standard. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with understanding commands while driving, likely due to road noise.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which worked with commendable refinement. The Outlander included common driver-assist tech for forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems were intrusive. Crash-test results for the Outlander were unavailable at the time of review.