2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 INFINITI QX60

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. This unique styling choice gave the Outlander a striking front appearance, while the rest of the vehicle maintained a balanced and appealing design. Available in various trims, the Outlander offered standard or optional 20-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The SEL trim, equipped with AWD and additional features, reached a total price of $39,475. The interior of the Outlander SEL, especially with the Touring Package, exuded luxury with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite some lower-quality plastics, the interior design adhered to minimalism, with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete redesign, showcasing a dramatic and attractive exterior. The new front featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car look with plenty of chrome. The QX60's long hood and steeply-raked windshield added elegance, while the blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect. Inside, the QX60 felt spacious and open, with quilted leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The Autograph trim level, in particular, offered a luxurious experience with a smart rearview mirror and a color head-up display. The QX60's interior craftsmanship and build quality were impressive, reflecting Infiniti's commitment to luxury and comfort.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD. Despite the availability of paddle shifters and various driving modes, the Outlander's performance was underwhelming, especially at higher speeds. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm over minor pavement imperfections. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, on the other hand, benefited from a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The new nine-speed automatic transmission provided a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts and an independent multilink setup, offered a smooth and serene ride. The vehicle's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway for AWD models. The QX60 excelled in providing a comfortable ride, with ample leg and headroom for passengers in all rows.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive digital displays. However, the center console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. The Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet with it folded down. Maximum cargo capacity was 79.7 cubic feet, or 78.3 cubic feet with the panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, while not a minivan, offered a spacious and versatile interior. The second-row seats could slide and fold for easy access to the third row, which provided comfortable seating for adults. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.6 cubic feet with it folded down. With both rows folded, the QX60 provided 75.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The vehicle also had a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The vehicle also included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its standard and available technology. It featured a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay, a WiFi hotspot, and multiple USB charge points. The Autograph trim level included a color head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The QX60 also offered a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system on higher trims, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander included the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist. It offered forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, forward emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure. While crash-test ratings were not available, the previous generation received high safety ratings, suggesting similar performance for the 2022 model.