Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 43 advantages that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWC has over the Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD.

Engine

The Outlander Sport AWC's engines reach maximum power at lower RPM's than the SX4 Crossover AWD's engines, as detailed below by trim and engine:

			RPM's to Peak HP
	Outlander Sport AWC		6000
	SX4 Crossover AWD Base 2.0L I4		6200
	SX4 Crossover AWD Tech Value PKG 2.0L I4		6200

With 145 lb-ft of torque, the standard engine in Outlander Sport AWC 2.0L I4 has more low-end power than the standard engine in the SX4 Crossover AWD 2.0L I4, which has 140 lb-ft of torque.

Reliability

The standard engine in the Outlander Sport AWC 2.0L I4 has an larger displacement than the standard engine in the SX4 Crossover AWD 2.0L I4, 1998 cc vs. 1995 cc. Engines with larger displacements can produce more power, with less stress, reducing wear and prolonging engine life.

Transmission

The Standard adaptive automatic transmission in the Outlander Sport AWC is a computer-controlled system that automatically adapts response and performance according to driving styles and road conditions. For example, the system selects optimal shift points and determines the proper gear necessary to climb steep grades or drive downhill. This type of transmission is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard manually interactive automatic transmission. This type of automatic transmission gives the driver complete gear control, like a manually-shifted transmission, but without the inconvenient clutch. The type of transmission is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD (Base, Tech Value PKG).

Basic Warranty

Mitsubishi's basic warranty provides better coverage than Suzuki's. It covers everything except items subject to wear and tear (oil filters, wiper blades, etc.).

			Basic Warranty Months		Basic Warranty Miles
	Outlander Sport AWC		60		60000
	SX4 Crossover AWD		36		36000

Powertrain Warranty

Mitsubishi's powertrain warranty offers better coverage than the Suzuki's. This warranty covers most of the parts that make the car move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

			Powertrain Warranty Months
	Outlander Sport AWC		120
	SX4 Crossover AWD		84

Corrosion Warranty

Mitsubishi's corrosion warranty provides better protection than Suzuki's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).

			Corrosion Warranty Months
	Outlander Sport AWC		84
	SX4 Crossover AWD		60

Fuel Economy and Emissions

The Outlander Sport AWC has a larger fuel tank than the SX4 Crossover AWD, 15.8 gal. vs. 11.9 gal. This may give it a greater range before having to stop to refuel.

The Outlander Sport AWC is more fuel efficient than the SX4 Crossover AWD. Superior fuel efficiency makes the Outlander Sport AWC both more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate than the SX4 Crossover AWD.

			Fuel Economy City
	Outlander Sport AWC		23 mpg.
	SX4 Crossover AWD Base 2.0L I4		22 mpg.
	SX4 Crossover AWD Tech Value PKG 2.0L I4		22 mpg.

*Mileage statistics shown are for each vehicle with its standard transmission. Fuel economy is only compared for like engines (i.e. 4 cyl. to 4 cyl.)

The Outlander Sport AWC 2.0L I4 gets more miles from a tank of fuel than the SX4 Crossover AWD 2.0L I4, 395 mi. vs. 297.5 mi.

Airbags

Both the Outlander Sport AWC and the SX4 Crossover AWD feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.

General Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heavier vehicles are safer in collisions and less affected by crosswinds than lighter vehicles. The Outlander Sport AWC is heavier than the SX4 Crossover AWD, shown below by trim level and transmission type:

			Curb Weight AT
	Outlander Sport AWC		3,263 lbs.
	SX4 Crossover AWD Premium		2,954 lbs.
	SX4 Crossover AWD Tech Value PKG		2,954 lbs.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, longer vehicles can protect you better in both single and multiple-vehicle crashes because they have longer crumple zones, which can reduce damage to the internal safety cage and spread the crash forces. The Outlander Sport AWC is longer than the SX4 Crossover AWD, 169.1 in. vs. 163.4 in.

The Outlander Sport AWC is equipped with Standard 4WD-PT.

The Outlander Sport AWC is protected by a Standard anti-theft system to help protect your investment against theft and break in. Anti-theft is Optional on the SX4 Crossover AWD.

The Outlander Sport AWC power door locks have a Standard selective locking/unlocking feature which gives driver the choice to unlock one or all doors for added convenience and safety (with an extra press of remote's door unlock button or an extra turn of the door key). This feature is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

Fog lights are very effective at improving visibility in foggy and other difficult driving situations. You are more likely to find fog lights on the Outlander Sport AWC than on the SX4 Crossover AWD, as detailed below:

			Fog Lamps
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	SX4 Crossover AWD Base		Optional
	SX4 Crossover AWD Premium		Not Available

High intensity discharge (HID) headlights are Standard on the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available SX4 Crossover AWD. HID headlights offer several advantages - increased visibility due to significantly brighter light, longer lasting/more durable bulbs and much lower energy use.

The Outlander Sport AWC has Standard rain-sensing windshield wipers that are activated by rain or moisture on the windshield. This type of wiper is Not Available on the SX4 Crossover AWD.

Interior Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has more passenger volume than the SX4 Crossover AWD, 97.5 cu. ft. vs. 89.0 cu. ft.

The Outlander Sport AWC has more interior space than the SX4 Crossover AWD in the following areas:

Leg Room, Front

Hip Room, Front

Shoulder Room, Front

Hip Room, Rear

Leg Room, Rear

Shoulder Room, Rear

Outlander Sport AWC

41.6 in.

52.1 in.

56.2 in.

51.6 in.

36.3 in.

55.7 in.

SX4 Crossover AWD

41.4 in.

51.0 in.

53.3 in.

46.7 in.

35.9 in.

52.8 in.

Cargo Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has 21.7 cu. ft. of cargo volume compared to 10.0 cu. ft. in the SX4 Crossover AWD. The additional cargo space means more room to store and transport packages, luggage, etc.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard rear seat pass through, allowing very long items, like snow skis to be transported inside the vehicle. A rear seat pass through is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

Standard second row fold-down armrests provide a place for the second row passengers to to rest their forearms for added comfort. Second row fold-down armrests are Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

General Suspension

The Outlander Sport AWC has a independent rear suspension, which is superior to the semi-independent suspension used on the SX4 Crossover AWD.

Chassis

The Outlander Sport AWC, with its higher minimum ground clearance, 8.5 in. vs. 6.9 in., is more capable than the SX4 Crossover AWD of traversing rough terrain without problems.

The 'track' (distance between the wheels), of the Outlander Sport AWC is greater than that of the SX4 Crossover AWD. A wider track produces better handling and a more stable ride.

			Track, Front		Track, Rear
	Outlander Sport AWC		60.0 in.		60.0 in.
	SX4 Crossover AWD		59.1 in.		58.9 in.

The Outlander Sport AWC's wheelbase is longer than the SX4 Crossover AWD's, 105.1 in. vs. 98.4 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.

Wheels and Tires

The Outlander Sport AWC comes standard with lower profile, 55 series tires (height to width ratio), which may provide better handling than the 60 series tires standard on the SX4 Crossover AWD.

In addition to the obvious cosmetic benefit of alloy wheels, they are lighter than traditional steel wheels, providing better performance. Alloy wheels are Optional on the SX4 Crossover AWD Base but are offered as a Standard feature on the Outlander Sport AWC.

Additional Features

A heated front seat is Standard in the Outlander Sport AWC, providing additional comfort in very cold weather. This feature is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD (Base, Premium).

Illuminated vanity mirrors are Standard in the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard automatic climate control system. The system controls the temperature, fan speed, and vents to maintain a consistent environment within the passenger compartment. Automatic climate control is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD.

On long road trips in the Outlander Sport AWC, drivers can engage the Standard cruise control, reducing fatigue. Cruise control is Not Available in the SX4 Crossover AWD Base.

With a Optional power sunroof, a touch of a button is all Outlander Sport AWC owners need to let the sun or the stars shine in. In contrast, bringing in the great outdoors will be more difficult in the SX4 Crossover AWD as a power sunroof is Not Available.

The Outlander Sport AWC features Standard automatic headlights that control their on/off capability. Automatic headlights are Not Available on the SX4 Crossover AWD.

Awards

2012 TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD: ~Insurance Institute For Highway Safety