2016 Mitsubishi Outlander — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $24,084–$32,037
Fuel Economy 19 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,763/yr

Key Specifications — 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$24,084–$32,037

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Our scoring places the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Technology at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.3/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.9/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.1/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.1/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $24,084–$32,037, 19 MPG, seating 7, the Mitsubishi Outlander sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks #2205 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $24,084 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 33%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Outlander Year Should You Buy?

Across the Outlander model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.1/10$32,640 Read review →
2025 7.1/10$32,640 Read review →
2024 7.2/10$31,690 Read review →
2023 7.1/10$30,739 Read review →
2022 7.0/10$29,788 Read review →
2021 7.1/10$28,837 Read review →
2020 6.9/10$27,887 Read review →
2019 6.9/10$26,936 Read review →
2018 6.9/10$25,985 Read review →
2017 6.8/10$25,035 Read review →
2016 (this review) 6.8/10$24,084
2015 6.7/10$23,133 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment
  • Fuel economy at 19 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander (8 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical system / Starter assembly / Relay
29/09/2017 · 17V609000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine…
Latches/locks/linkages / Doors / Latch
06/04/2017 · 17V233000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.
Parking brake
26/01/2018 · 18V070000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
28/07/2016 · 16V563000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving…
Seat belts / rear/other / Buckle assembly
13/07/2020 · 20V403000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down.…

Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

More Mitsubishi Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.