Mitsubishi believes Outlander buyers want an SUV with a muscular, masculine, aggressive appearance. To achieve this look, designers created a wide nose section that splits the grille and flows back over the hood. Mitsubishi thinks this thick, dynamic pillar with the triple-diamond emblem in the middle demonstrates that the Outlander's owner isn't about to be intimidated by those driving the other cute-utes. Its styling reminds us of the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe.

This attitude is enhanced by the large, tinted headlight covers, and especially by the fog lamps mounted at the edges of the bumper on the XLS model. Gray cladding on the bumpers and side sills adds to the aggressive appearance, and the 16-inch wheels (the same diameter as those on the RAV4 and Forester, but larger than those on the CR-V) lend substance to the Outlander's stance.

The Outlander's styling doesn't turn many heads, but neither does it create a lot of excess noise going down the road. Mitsubishi's Outlander presents a wind-cheating, wedgy profile that provides an 0.43 coefficient of drag, making its sleeker than the CR-V, RAV4, and Forester. Yet its standard rear spoiler and especially its optional roof racks with tubular rails give it a substantial appearance. More important, it has great door handles that are easy to grab.