Several Compact Crossovers Fail IIHS' Small Overlap Test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest test — frontal small overlap — is pretty tough to ace. The agency recently performed the test, meant to simulate a crash of a vehicle's front corner into another vehicle, a tree or a pole, on 13 compact SUVs; 11 scored Marginal or Poor.

The new-for-2014 Subaru Forester came out ahead of the pack, earning a Good score and the agency's highest overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick+. Behind it is the slow-selling 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; it pulled an Acceptable score. The test group included 2014, 2013 and 2012 models.

Recall Alert: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi is issuing two recalls for model-year 2013 versions of its Outlander Sport compact crossover, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The first is to address a fuel pump problem that affects 3,724 all-wheel-drive-equipped Outlander Sports manufactured from June 11 through Dec. 11, 2012 (check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb). These vehicles may be missing a fuel sending unit harness, which could result in a false fuel tank level reading; this could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

With good looks and a low starting price of $19,995, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has lots of appeal until you live with it for a little while, says Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim. During her weeklong test drive, Carrie was underwhelmed by its underpowered four-cylinder engine and tiny cargo area. It could hold a stroller, but there wasn’t any room for grocery bags back there, too.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

2014 Subaru Forester Rises Seven Spots in Small-SUV Affordability

A few weeks ago we threw the redesigned Toyota RAV4 into our compact crossover affordability index, and the popular Toyota ranked right around the group's average. Subaru fans may notice the outgoing 2013 Forester sat near the bottom, largely because the small SUV got mediocre gas mileage and required stepping up a trim level to get a telescoping steering wheel — one of seven features we included in our pricing scheme.

Our affordability index compared 13 models — each was the least expensive trim level that included common equipment like an automatic transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a USB/audio jack port and tilt/telescoping steering. We also factored in the destination charge and four years of gas.

With its 2014 redesign, the Forester moved up seven spots, thanks to more standard features and better gas mileage. In fact, the new Forester is the third most affordable compact crossover on the market, behind the Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — and it has standard all-wheel drive.

Is the 2013 Toyota RAV4 the Most Affordable Compact Crossover?

Back in April, we asked the question: what is the most affordable compact crossover on the market? That was when a new Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape were hitting the scene. We’re looking at it again so soon because a redesigned Toyota RAV4, one of the best-sellers in the segment, has been priced and goes on sale this month.

Last go round we compared 13 models, finding the least expensive trim level of each one that featured some common equipment: an automatic transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a USB/audio jack port, tilt and telescoping steering and roof rails.

We’ve dropped the roof rails requirement, which has changed the possibilities somewhat—the Ford Escape can now be had in S trim instead of SE, making it more affordable. Other models have revised their pricing and one contender was quietly revised for the 2013 model year. That means we have a new affordability champ.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Limited Edition Unveiled at 2012 L.A. Auto Show

Using intimidating adjectives like "ominous" and "foreboding" to describe the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Limited Edition, the automaker seems to be warning the world that the compact crossover is a force to be reckoned with.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Developed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Mitsubishi's arrival in North America, the automaker said it set out to create the most dynamic-looking compact crossover on the continent. The special-edition Outlander Sport owes its bad-boy looks to features like black side mirrors, center bumper, wheel arch trim and roof rails, in addition to argent alloy wheels. The fashion statement is emphasized by special Limited Edition badging.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition to Bow at L.A. Auto Show

A pair of Mitsubishi crossovers are set to make their North American debuts later this month at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show: the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander and the 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition.

Full specs haven't been released, but Mitsubishi says the third generation of the midsize Outlander boasts a new design that emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency and a new, more fuel-efficient engine.

The revised Outlander loses more than an inch of length for 2014. Changes to its exterior styling include a restyled grille, a raised belt line, a more contoured body and wraparound headlamps. It follows the look of the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II first shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at the 2012 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson
• Looks like: Cleaner-looking nose, more chrome trim
• Drivetrain: 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual or CVT
• Hits dealerships: This summer

Mitsubishi's smallest crossover and best-selling vehicle gets slightly refreshed for 2013. Aside from exterior styling tweaks and a revised suspension, the Outlander Sport’s unlovable continuously variable automatic transmission gets recalibrated for the second time since the vehicle’s model-year 2011 debut.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The compact crossover's face gets updated with a tweaked grille, new fog lamp design, black side sills and revised bumpers. Eighteen-inch wheels are newly standard across all trim levels, replacing 16s on base models.  More chrome trim dots the exterior, which comes in several new colors: White Pearl and Quick Silver join Laguna Blue, Labrador Black Pearl, Mercury Gray and Rally Red.

New Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at New York Auto Show

With just under a week to go, the New York auto show is shaping up to be a busy one. Mitsubishi just announced it will unveil an updated-for-2013 Outlander Sport at the show.

The automaker's smallest crossover originally joined the compact SUV class for the 2011 model year. It got a few updates for model-year 2012, including the recalibration of its cranky continuously variable automatic transmission and the addition of a backup camera.

Mitsubishi calls the Outlander Sport its best-selling vehicle and plans a host of "design and equipment improvements" for 2013, including another update to the CVT. Other changes include exterior styling tweaks to the front and rear fascias, interior upgrades and a revamped rear suspension.

We'll get more details when the New York International Auto Show opens to the media April 4.

Mitsubishi's 2012 Outlander Sport Named Top Safety Pick

Mitsubishi lightly updated its smallest crossover for the 2012 model year, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety took notice. The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earned the IIHS' top safety award.

It qualified as a Top Safety Pick after receiving the highest score of Good in front-, side-impact, rear and roof-strength crash tests. In each test, vehicles are rated as Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor.

Aside from updates made to quiet the cabin and a transmission recalibration, Mitsubishi also strengthened the compact crossover's roof, improving protection in the case of a rollover. However, IIHS cautions that the award applies only to the 2012 model.