Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial : ROAD WARRIOR

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The smallest model in Mitsubishi's 4Work commercial vehicle range is the Outlander Commercial. It might also be the best. Steve Walker takes a look.

4x4 commercial vehicles might seem like a hopelessly small market niche to some but not to Mitsubishi. The Japanese marque takes the off-road van sector more seriously than just about anyone else and its 4Work brand has established itself a strong reputation amongst people who drive through mud for a living. The Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial is the smallest participant in the 4Work range. It's a van version of the Outlander passenger car and it's built to deliver comfort on the road while inspiring confidence in the rough.

Take the pick-up truck out of the equation and UK 4x4 commercial vehicle sales don't amount to much. The top pick-ups like Mitsubishi's own L200 have been shifting 10,000 units annually in the UK for a good few years now but 4x4 vans traditionally struggle to break through the 500 unit barrier. Despite this modest demand, a number of manufacturers still take the plunge and offer commercial vehicle versions of their 4x4s. This is largely because it's so easy to do. They already have the base vehicle and from there it's just a case of employing a man with a spanner to remove the rear seats, installing a flat load floor, panelling over the rear windows and Bob's your uncle. So long as it's decided that the existence of a van won't harm the image of the stronger-selling passenger car version, it's a case of; well, why not? Nissan, Kia, Jeep and Ssangyong have all joined Mitsubishi in this market in recent years while Land Rover is also a big presence with its ever popular Defender.

"â€¦one of the finest 4x4 vans on the market."

Most Outlanders are powered by a rather aged but still very accomplished diesel engine. The 138bhp 2.0-litre DI-D unit is actually sourced from Volkswagen and has been used across the German marque's passenger car range for a number of years. It's a refined unit by commercial vehicle standards without the gruffness that's typical of the powerplants found in most pick-ups and larger 4x4 vans. The power delivery is smooth and although the hefty peak torque of 310Nm comes in at an extremely low 1,750rpm, there's plenty of flexibility and puling power is strong through a wide spread of the rev range. This engine combined with the well-weighted steering and the pleasantly mechanical gearchange, makes the Outlander a rewarding vehicle to drive on the road. Better still is the 2.2-litre 158bhp option. It's noticeably faster and more refined with 380Nm torque available at 2,000rpm. When it comes to off-road driving, attention turns to the circular dial positioned behind the Outlander's handbrake. This operates the AWC (All Wheel Control) system and allows the driver to switch the transmission on the fly between 2WD, 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock modes. Two wheel drive should be selected in good conditions on the tarmac to improve efficiency but when the going gets slippery the Auto mode can sense when traction is lost by the front wheels and divert as much as 30% of the available torque aft. The 4WD lock mode lock the transmission into a 50/50 split between the front and rear wheels for maximum grip when driving in difficult off-road conditions. The Outlander lacks the ground clearance, rugged suspension and underbody protection of a truly focused off-roader but it will trundle over some serious obstacles. The flip side of this is a very comfortable ride and good body control when driving on the road. The Outlander is based on a compact 4x4 which means its dimensions are more, well, compact that rivals based on family-sized offerings. At 464cm long it is nearly 30cm longer than Mitsubishi's own Shogun Commercial but that car is based on the short wheelbase Shogun passenger car and is 7cm wider than the Outlander making it feel a bulkier proposition in when you're at the wheel. The load area is completely flat and mirrors the Outlander's length at 180cm from tailgate to the partial steel bulkhead. The actual carrying capacity is a substantial 2,243 litres with the maximum payload pegged at 705kg and a towing limit of 2 tonnes. The Outlander is a good-looking vehicle with the classically chunky 4x4 lines. It sports a similar front end to the L200 but it's more squared-off and conventional than the curvy pick-up truck. The interior is of a simple design with clean surfaces and big, malleable controls that could easily be operated while wearing gloves. Some of the plastics aren't of the finest quality and don't feel as tough as might be necessary in a hard-working 4x4 but the amount of space on offer for the driver and front passenger is ample. The Outlander's load area is accessed through the rear side doors or a tailgate which is split horizontally and can be opened in two sections. The side doors are carried over from the car model and although they're handy for quickly accessing items at the far end of the loadbay, they aren't ideally shaped for loading bulky objects. The cargo area itself is equipped with four load lashing points and the rear of the front seats is protected by a low steel bulkhead. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is smaller than those found in the majority of 4x4 commercial vehicles and it produces impressive combined economy of just under 41mpg. Reasonable CO2 emissions of 183g/km are generated in the process but the engine shows its age with 9,000-mile service intervals. The alternative engine is far more modern but only achieves 38mpg economy so operators will need to weigh-up how much they value its superior performance. The Outlander comes well equipped as is the case with most passenger car derived commercial vehicles. Keyless entry, central locking, automatic air-conditioning and an MP3 compatible CD stereo come as standard as do electric heated door mirrors, electric windows and a height adjustable driver's seat. On the safety front, all Outlander Commercials come with the M-ASTC traction control system, ABS and EBD. The Outlander needs to fight off competition from a number of rivals in the 4x4 van sector. Operators for who undertake hardcore off-road driving on a daily basis will invariably choose a Land Rover Defender leaving the other protagonists to compete for the business of those who require occasional mud-plugging ability combined with good levels of comfort on the tarmac. As in the 4x4 passenger car sphere, there will be many 4x4 commercials that are never used off-road. These vehicles appeal strongly on the basis of their rugged image and styling with town-based businesses choosing them in preference over conventional small vans. A creatively sign-written Outlander will certainly make more of an impact on the high street than a Renault Kangoo. The Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial is the smallest participant in the 4Work range but it's still got the nuggety toughness operators look for in a vehicle that they're about to put through the mill. If you undertake really tough off-road excursions on a daily basis, this compact 4x4 based van may not be the model for you but its mix of reasonable prowess in the rough with polished on-road dynamics is unsurpassed in this sector. Engine-wise, most operators will be perfectly well-served by the less expensive 2.0-litre unit but the more relaxed 2.2-litre may make sense for those covering big mileages. The Mitsubishi Outlander converts well into commercial vehicle form with its attractive looks and no-nonsense interior. Some additional storage space in the cab area would have been nice and the materials aren't all of the highest quality but there's plenty of space and the loadbay is suitably large. On the road, the outlander really shines with its composed cornering and comfortable ride. Probably better suited to the town than to country, this is still one of the finest 4x4 vans on the market.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Mitsubishi MODEL: Outlander Commercial BHP: 138bhp - 158bhp PAY
LOAD CAPACITY: 705kg LOAD VOLUME: 2.2m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: N/At LENGTH: 4,640mm WIDTH: 1,800mm HEIGHT: 1,720mm November 1st 2007