The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 stands as a reliable choice for families and individuals prioritizing safety and dependability in a compact SUV. Building upon the design introduced in 2014, the 2020 Outlander model, including its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variant, offers a suite of safety features and robust crash test performance. This detailed analysis, based on rigorous testing, will provide a thorough overview of the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 safety ratings, focusing on key aspects from crashworthiness to headlight effectiveness and collision prevention systems. As an expert in automotive repair and content creation for mercedesbenzxentrysoftwaresubscription.store, understanding vehicle safety is paramount, and this article aims to deliver expert-level insights into the safety performance of the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a challenging real-world scenario where the corner of a vehicle collides with a narrow object like a pole or tree. The 2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander models, including the 2020 variant, underwent this stringent test with the driver-side evaluated in detail.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
During the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 demonstrated a ‘Good’ overall rating. This indicates a strong level of protection for the driver in this type of severe frontal impact. Key metrics such as head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot injury measures all received ‘Good’ ratings, showcasing the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety systems in mitigating potential injuries. The structure and safety cage were rated ‘Acceptable’, suggesting competent but not top-tier performance in maintaining structural integrity during the crash.
Analysis of the dummy’s position after the crash revealed that the driver’s survival space was maintained reasonably well. This is a critical factor in occupant protection, as it indicates that the structural deformation did not significantly compromise the space around the driver. The positioning relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel further confirms the effectiveness of the Outlander’s structural design in a small overlap frontal collision.
The frontal airbag effectively contacted the dummy’s head, although there was some slippage to the left side. Crucially, the side curtain airbag deployed and extended sufficiently forward towards the A-pillar. This ensured head protection from contact with side structures, a vital element in preventing head injuries in side-angled frontal crashes.
Intrusion into the driver’s space was reasonably well controlled, which directly translates to a reduced risk of injuries to the legs and feet. This controlled intrusion, combined with effective restraint systems, contributes to the ‘Good’ ratings across driver injury measures in the small overlap front crash test for the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
Expanding on the frontal crash testing, the passenger-side small overlap test evaluates the protection offered to the front passenger. The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, representing the 2014-2020 model range, was tested for passenger-side small overlap performance.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 achieved a ‘Good’ overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test, mirroring its driver-side performance. This consistent ‘Good’ rating across both sides underscores the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety for both driver and front passenger. Similar to the driver-side test, passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot all received ‘Good’ ratings.
The dummy’s position relative to the door frame and dashboard post-crash indicates that the passenger survival space was also maintained reasonably well. This symmetry in survival space preservation between the driver and passenger sides is a positive attribute of the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020’s structural design.
The frontal and side curtain airbags demonstrated effective coordination in protecting the passenger’s head. They worked cohesively to prevent the head from nearing stiff structures or external objects that could cause injury. This coordinated airbag performance is crucial for minimizing head injury risk in passenger-side small overlap crashes.
Despite some intrusion of the dashboard and door hinge pillar, the risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet remained low. This indicates that even with some structural intrusion on the passenger side, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 effectively mitigates lower extremity injury risks in this demanding crash scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front crash test represents a more common type of frontal collision, involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end. The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020’s performance in this test further validates its frontal crashworthiness.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Left | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Right | Good (G) |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
In the moderate overlap front crash test, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 achieved a ‘Good’ overall rating, along with ‘Good’ ratings across all individual evaluation criteria. This comprehensive ‘Good’ performance signifies excellent protection for the driver in a moderate frontal impact. The structure and safety cage also earned a ‘Good’ rating, affirming the robust structural design of the vehicle in this common crash scenario.
Side Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side impacts pose significant risks, and the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020’s side crash test performance is a crucial aspect of its overall safety assessment.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Driver Head Protection | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good (G) |
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 demonstrated a ‘Good’ overall rating in the side crash test. Both driver and rear passenger injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg received ‘Good’ ratings, highlighting effective protection across the board in side impact scenarios. Driver and rear passenger head protection were also rated ‘Good’, indicating the effectiveness of side airbags and curtain airbags. The structure and safety cage received an ‘Acceptable’ rating, suggesting competent side impact structural performance.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover crashes. The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020’s roof strength performance contributes to occupant protection in such events.
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3,438 lbs |
| Peak Force | 17,034 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.95 |
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 achieved a ‘Good’ rating in the roof strength test, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.95. This ‘Good’ rating signifies that the roof can withstand forces more than 4 times the vehicle’s weight, providing strong protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Effective head restraints and seats are essential in preventing whiplash and related injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall Evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | Good (G) |
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020’s head restraints and seats earned an overall ‘Good’ rating, with ‘Good’ ratings for both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry. This indicates that the head restraints are well-designed to protect against neck injuries in rear impacts.
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is a vital safety feature, particularly for nighttime driving. The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 offers different headlight variations across its trim levels.
LED Projector Headlights (SEL trim with Touring package, GT trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Acceptable (A) |
The LED projector headlights available on the SEL trim with the Touring package and the GT trim received an ‘Acceptable’ overall rating. While not the highest rating, ‘Acceptable’ headlights provide adequate illumination for safe driving under most conditions.
Halogen Projector Headlights (SE, LE, SP, SEL trims – 2020 models)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Poor (P) |
The halogen projector headlights found on SE, LE, SP, and SEL trims (specifically for 2020 models) received a ‘Poor’ overall rating. This indicates that these headlights may have limitations in providing sufficient visibility, especially in curves and on straightaways, compared to optimal headlight systems.
Halogen Projector Headlights (ES trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Poor (P) |
Similarly, the halogen projector headlights on the ES trim also received a ‘Poor’ overall rating. This consistency in ‘Poor’ ratings for halogen options highlights the advantage of the LED projector headlights in terms of illumination performance for the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Forward collision prevention systems are increasingly important in mitigating front-end collision risks.
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| System Details | Optional Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection |
The optional Forward Collision Mitigation system with Pedestrian Detection available on the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 earned a ‘Superior’ rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. This system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing or mitigating front-end impacts.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection systems are crucial for enhancing safety for vulnerable road users.
| Overall Evaluation | Basic |
|---|---|
| System Details | Optional Forward Collision Mitigation System |
The optional Forward Collision Mitigation System of the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 received a ‘Basic’ rating for pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime). While it offers some level of pedestrian detection and impact speed reduction, it is categorized as ‘Basic’, suggesting room for improvement compared to ‘Advanced’ or ‘Superior’ systems.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for ensuring proper installation and child passenger safety.
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
The LATCH system in the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 received an ‘Acceptable’ rating. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. While rated ‘Acceptable’, there are some notes regarding anchor depth and potential confusion with other hardware, which users should be aware of when installing child seats.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving ‘Good’ ratings in most crashworthiness evaluations, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. Its optional Forward Collision Mitigation system earns a ‘Superior’ rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. However, headlight performance varies, with LED projector headlights rated ‘Acceptable’ and halogen options rated ‘Poor’. The pedestrian front crash prevention system is rated ‘Basic’, and the LATCH system is ‘Acceptable’.
Overall, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 offers a robust suite of safety features and strong crash test performance, making it a safe and dependable choice in the compact SUV segment. For those prioritizing optimal safety, considering trims equipped with LED headlights and the optional Forward Collision Mitigation system is advisable. This comprehensive safety profile reinforces the Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 as a vehicle designed with occupant protection in mind.
