Style-wise, the 2007 Outlander marks the beginning of a new design language for Mitsubishi. There's less metal in the new verbiage, more openness, giving the overall presence a lighter look and feel. It's less angular, more round, smoother and softer but with a touch more character.

In ways material and mechanical, the 2007 Outlander may look a lot like the 2006 models, but it isn't, not really. It's still independently sprung at all four corners. The four-wheel-drive setup is still closer to a pavement-friendly, all-wheel-drive system than it is to a true, backwoods-capable, off-road setup. But beyond these fundamentals, there's a lot more new than old, and the changes to the underpinnings are significant.

Topping the list is a standard, electronic skid and traction control system, offered for the first time on the '07 Outlander. The front suspension has been beefed up to improve directional stability and steering response. To the same end, internal components of the power-assisted steering system have been strengthened and refined. The rear suspension is a new, more rigid, yet more compliant design. Brakes are larger, the better to handle the added power and weight. Shock absorbers are more robust for enhanced ride control.

A number of interior features move the 2007 Outlander upscale, putting it into play with such formidable competitors as the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-7 and the Toyota RAV4, in addition to the Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox. Besides the not unexpected automatic climate control and leather-trimmed seats, there's an optional, rear-seat entertainment system, with a nine-inch, LCD screen and wireless remote and headphones.

Also available is a GPS-based, navigation system featuring a seven-inch, touch-screen and employing a hard disk drive for speedy data retrieval with a portion set aside for recorded audio tracks. The Outlander XLS features spiffy, Formula 1 racecar-style, magnesium shift paddles mounted on the steering column; a keyless ignition system; and a fold-down, compact third-row seat that qualifies the Outlander as a seven-passenger, compact SUV. All models come with a full complement of occupant safety features.

Competitive performance, fuel economy, and interior space makes the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander a compelling vehicle. Pricing will be competitive, too, in the low $20,000s, which wraps a most attractive ribbon around an already impressive package.