Mitsubishi Will Soon Sell the Least Powerful V6 in America

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

With the Lexus IS finally ditching its dated and overripe 2.5L V6 in favor of the new Atkinson/Otto-cycle 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, the vehicle above will have the least powerful V6 engine in America: the 224 hp, 3.0L V6-powered Mitsubishi Outlander.

Making matters worse, it requires premium fuel … and that’s not the worst part.

It’s been a long time coming, but Lexus fans will likely welcome the new force-fed four-pot that ups the base output of its entry sedan to “241 horsepower and up to 258 lb-ft of torque” according to the Canadian Lexus release. While Lexus in the U.S. has not yet confirmed the new engine for the IS, it seems all but inevitable at this point.

Sadly, that puts Mitsubishi squarely in the crosshairs again for having a product that doesn’t match up to the competition. Even V6 turbodiesels on the market are producing 240 horsepower and above along with much, much more torque.

However, the worst of it comes when you put Mitsubishi’s V6 in context. It can only be had in the very top GT S-AWC trim, portraying the 3.0L V6 as the “premium” option, which starts at $30,995. It only drinks premium fuel. And, to top it all off, Mitsubishi is looking forward to being in this position for the next three to four years as the 2016 model year brings with it a refreshed Outlander. That refresh didn’t include any upgrades to the V6.

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • Slavuta Slavuta on Jun 30, 2015

    @Mark Stevenson - this would be an interesting read with some perspectives, like 0-60 times and fuel economy numbers

    • JimC2 JimC2 on Jun 30, 2015

      "like 0-60 times and fuel economy numbers" Trap speeds! :)

  • Jimbo1126 Jimbo1126 on Jun 30, 2015

    A little off topic, but not really. I'm not sure if $39K is a "steal" for a $60k+ 2015 Kia K900 Luxury trim with less than 10k on the odometer, but that's what you'll find at Carmax now.

    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Jun 30, 2015

      Wait another year and it'll be $24K. That might be a steal, they're very unpopular.

  • Cimarron typeR Cimarron typeR on Feb 19, 2016

    I've always like the Mitsu SUVs, maybe it's as a kid traveling to Mexico and the Philippines I saw a ton of their body on frame SUVs. You know they had to be durable to survive with those road cond.A kind of get the serum to the village vehicle . Now that Toyota is the new Oldsmobile and Honda went full retard (as opposed to 1/2 retard with their styling, these still seem true to their mission. I'd pick up a used 2016 GT w/ the cool RF sub in the trunk , given their massive depreciation. Has anyone driven the 2016 updated Outlander, was wondering if the road noise levels have improved

  • VehicrossGuy VehicrossGuy on Dec 04, 2016

    I recently purchased a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander GT w/ 3.0L V6 rated at 224 hp. As an original owner of a 2000 ISUZU VehiCROSS w/ 3.5L V6 rated at 215 hp that with 187K miles is still my DD. The ISUZU is 5200# and gets 13mpg city 19 mpg highway and 15mpg combined. The Mitsubishi is under 3600# and gets 19 mpg city 27mpg highway and has been averaging 27.5mpg on premium gas (recommended in owners manual). I Supercharged the VehiCROSS and it goes to 60 mph in about 7.5 sec(stock about 9 sec) The Mitsubishi goes 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 sec. I run premium in both. I look at the Outlander as offering a more powerful engine option then the Honda CRV's only 4 cyl offering along with 7 passenger capability & higher tow rating (3500#). There are alot of Outlander running around Western PA....lol.

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