In the middle of a thriving metropolitan area, sometimes less is more. While big SUVs have lots of interior space, they can also be difficult to maneuver on narrow streets and in tight spaces like parking lots and garages. Subcompact SUVs, on the other hand, are a breeze to drive and park, and well-designed models like the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport still give you plenty of space for passengers and cargo in the cabin.
As your go-to source to find the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for sale near Alexandria, we here at Ourisman Mitsubishi know that it’s a great subcompact SUV, but we also know that it’s not your only option. Honda is a popular automaker that makes its own model in this category: the HR-V. If you’re wondering how the Outlander Sport stacks up against the HR-V, you won’t need to wonder for long. Read on, and you’ll see how these competitors compare in important areas like powertrains, trim levels, and warranty coverage.
Dimensions
As we already mentioned, having a small vehicle can be an asset in a busy city like Alexandria and can definitely make trips into the heart of DC less stressful. The Outlander Sport is slightly shorter and narrower than the HR-V, which can make all the difference when you’re trying to parallel park or sneak by a delivery truck that’s decided to park at the curb in the middle of rush hour. While this does mean that the Outlander Sport has slightly less cargo space, it doesn’t affect passenger comfort much. There’s less than half an inch of difference between the two vehicles when it comes to front-row legroom and a mere 1.4 inches standing between them for backseat passengers. That’s not much to sacrifice when the trade-off can be so useful in urban life.
While the HR-V is longer overall, the Outlander Sport has a longer wheelbase. This gives it a smoother ride and better stability, so you can drive in comfort and navigate tricky situations with confidence. The Outlander Sport also stands a bit taller thanks to its additional 1.5 inches of ground clearance, so you can avoid obstacles in the streets and worry less about puddles during the rainy season.
Powertrain
The weather can be unpredictable these days, and it pays to be ready to drive in heavy rain or snow. The 2024 Outlander Sport comes standard with all-wheel drive, which gives you the extra traction you need to drive safely when the weather makes the roads slicker and harder to grip. While the HR-V has all-wheel drive available, it’ll cost you extra. That’s worth keeping in mind when you’re comparing prices between the two. The Outlander Sport already has the lower starting price of the two at $23,695 vs $24,600 for the HR-V, and adding all-wheel drive on top of that makes the gap even wider.[a]
When comparing the AWD version of the HR-V with the Outlander Sport, you’ll find that it does back up Honda’s reputation for fuel efficiency, but not by an impressive margin. With a rating of 27 MPG combined, the HR-V is only one point ahead of the Outlander Sport’s 26 MPG combined. And since the Outlander Sport has a larger fuel tank, it actually gets more range in between fill-ups: 411 miles instead of just 378. That can come in handy if you have a busy schedule and don’t always have much time to stop at the gas station.
Want to make sure you have enough power to reach highway speeds quickly when you’re driving on I-495 sometime other than rush hour? Looking at the base engines for these two SUVs, the power levels are a bit of a toss-up. The 2.0L inline-four under the hood of the HR-V produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0L inline-four that comes standard on the Outlander Sport produces 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Both horsepower and torque affect performance, so it’s hard to say which of these provides more power overall. However, one thing that is clear is that the 2.0L engine is the only choice you get on the HR-V. If you’re shopping for the Outlander Sport and want to turn the power up to 11, you can upgrade to the SEL trim and get a 2.4L engine that cranks out 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque, clearly making it more powerful than either of the 2.0L offerings.
Trim Levels
Every driver is unique, which means it’s good to have plenty of trim options to choose from. Unfortunately, the 2024 Honda HR-V only has three available trim levels: the base LX, the mid-tier Sport, and the high-end EX-L. When you’re trying to strike the right balance between getting the features you want and not going over budget, having only three trims to choose from can make things difficult. There’s a good chance that you’ll either have to settle for fewer comfort and convenience features than you want or pay more than you want.
With the 2024 Outlander Sport, you get twice as many options to choose from. Affordable trims like the S, ES, and LE, which you can easily find at your local Mitsubishi dealership, offer different combinations of tech, convenience, and style features, so you can find something that has everything you’re looking for onboard. Upgrading to the middle-of-the-pack SE trim gets you a complete package of desirable features inside and out, including advanced driver assist tech, power-folding side mirrors, and attractive two-tone wheels. The top-tier SEL trim has a more powerful engine plus a leather-appointed interior that feels as nice as it looks. And if you want something a bit more rugged for weekend getaways away from the city, you can opt for the new Trail Edition, which adds a hood protector, fender effects, mud flaps, and more.
Warranty Coverage
No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for anything. Alexandria is a busy city that’s within driving distance of several other bustling metro areas—you never know when a stroke of bad luck will send you to your local service center. That’s why it’s to your advantage to have the best warranty coverage possible to help you out if anything goes wrong so you don’t have to worry every time you head out for a drive.
Honda’s warranty coverage isn’t bad—it’s pretty much on par with other popular brands like Chevy, Ford, and Toyota. However, Mitsubishi is able to blow its figures out of the water by offering the gold standard for coverage. Breaking it down category by category, it’s clear that Mitsubishi offers the better deal across the board.
Honda’s limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), while Mitsubishi’s covers five years or 60,000 miles. Honda only provides access to emergency roadside assistance during the limited warranty period, but Mitsubishi gives you roadside assistance for the first five years, regardless of how many miles you drive. The powertrain warranty, which covers vital components like the engine and transmission, lasts for five years or 60,000 miles when you buy an HR-V but an impressive 10 years or 100,000 miles when you buy an Outlander Sport. With long-lasting coverage like that, it’s easy to drive with confidence.
The Outlander Sport Is Right for Alexandrians
With a size that’s perfect for urban driving, engine options to suit all tastes, and a warranty that keeps you covered for longer, the Outlander Sport is practically tailor-made for Alexandria drivers. While the HR-V is a fine subcompact SUV, it just doesn’t offer everything that the Outlander Sport does, from standard AWD to a wide variety of trim levels that give drivers enough choices to find a perfect fit for their needs. We’re proud to offer the Outlander Sport alongside other great cars and SUVs here at Ourisman Mitsubishi, where the customer always comes first. Contact us today to learn more.