It's been almost a week since we landed the Outlander, and we've gotten to know and like it - albeit after a few hiccups.
For starters, the In-vehicle Unit (IU) seems a little cranky and doesn't always detect the cashcard, but that's really no fault of the Outlander.
And some tracks on my MP3 CD don't seem to agree with the CD changer. Perhaps it refuses to play Britney and Paris in the name of good taste, so no complaints there!
But like the animated box-office smash 'Kung Fu Panda', when you're willing to look past some minor shortcomings, this hero is really all good.
There is no charge for awesomeness
FILLING GOOD
The Rockford Fosgate sound system continues to rock my socks, along with anyone I've ferried in the Outlander.
There's enough bass to shake your dental fillings loose - which is incidentally what actually happened to me after a few days of driving around with the sound system at full blast.
And while on the way to the dentist to get my fillings replaced, yours truly happened to meet a throttle-happy SX4 - A perfect opportunity to see how the Outlander would perform when push comes to shove.
On paper, the Outlander is supposed to go from zero to 100km/hr in 10.8 sec. On the road, it feels it might get there quicker, especially when going through the gears with the pedal shifts.
This 'dragon warrior' is bigger, badder and faster
The Outlander had bags more pace while going around curves, and easily left the flailing Suzuki in its wake.
The steering was also sufficiently 'meaty', providing sufficient feel at higher speeds, while being sufficiently light while executing tight parking-type manoeuvres.
But do note that while this SUV will also outrun Tucsons and Muranos, the Outlander is no substitute for an Evo, so I wouldn't advise chucking it around corners.
VALET VALIDATION
I have to say that the 'keyless' security system on the Outlander is starting to make me lazy.
Just walk up to the driver's door with the 'key' in your pocket and two bleeps that follow indicate that the doors have been unlocked. And you don't even need to slot in the key to turn the ignition.
It's so convenient in fact, that I clean forgot to pass the key to the valet after a trip to the Hyatt, leaving the valets no means to lock the door!
The valet that drove the Outlander, Mr Deva, pointed out my folly but was also quick to point out how much he enjoyed his abbreviated drive out of the hotel carpark.
I almost had to pry the valet out of the seat after he got a little too comfortable
The bespectacled gentleman said, "It's very smooth. I like it!"
He then appeared genuinely surprised after I told him it was a Mitsubishi.
"If you didn't tell me, I would have thought it was a Lexus!" said the 54-year-old.
NEXT: Moving "mountains" with the Outlander (Part III)
