Mitsubishi Outlander ES (2008)

For many customers, a key benefit to this hard drive-based navigation system is a music server function that reserves about 6 gigabytes of its capacity for digital music file storage and playback through the audio system (approx. 104 hours of music encoded in ATRAC3 Plus format at 128kbps). The navigation system's main operating controls are hard switches, with the touch screen accessing the search and destination-entry functions, among others.

The Mitsubishi Outlander's navigation system also provides an extensive information display, including an onboard computer. This driving computer provides displays for outside temperature, average fuel economy, current fuel economy, distance to empty and driving time. Another display option brings up a screen with outside temperature and barometer, along with an altimeter, and another displays a vehicle maintenance reminder (oil, brakes, interior air filter) and calendar.

Controls for the audio, including the SIRIUS® Satellite Radio and available 650-watt (max) Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio, can be accessed through the navigation screen. Adding another touch usually seen in some luxury vehicles, the navigation system includes an interface that allows owners to customize many of the vehicle's interior electronic system functions, such as central locking and lighting choices.

When the Mitsubishi Outlander is also equipped with the accessory rear seat entertainment system (RSE), the navigation screen can display the video from a disc running in the rear (when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission in Park). Alternatively, the RSE can play video from a DVD running in the navigation system head unit.

Mitsubishi Outlander, the Entertainer

The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander comes equipped to provide high-quality sound, with a standard total 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers and digital signal processor. The Mitsubishi Outlander XLS models add a standard 6-disc in-dash CD changer.

The optional Sun and Sound package available for 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS models includes a power glass sunroof and the most powerful audio system in the compact SUV segment: the Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio System with PUNCH® control. Similar to the option offered for the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Mitsubishi Lancer models, this audiophile-quality system is designed to reproduce all types of music with stunning clarity and power. The Rockford-Fosgate system is standard in the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Special Edition.

The Rockford-Fosgate system is custom-tuned for the Mitsubishi Outlander's interior acoustics. The Sun and Sound option package also includes SIRIUS® Satellite Radio with a six-month pre-paid subscription.

The Rockford-Fosgate system uses an 8-channel amplifier to produce up to 650 watts maximum output, playing through nine speakers in seven positions: 1.4-in. soft-dome tweeters mounted in the door mirror delta provide an accurate soundstage; front door-mounted 6.5-in. midbass drivers; rear door-mounted 6.5-in. coaxial two-way speakers using a bridge-mounted tweeter, and a 10-in. subwoofer in its own sealed enclosure located in the left rear of the cargo compartment. Mitsubishi and Rockford-Fosgate engineers worked together to tune the doors to function as speaker cabinets, extending response, increasing clarity and reducing coloration.

The subwoofer provides extremely high-power bass performance, but that doesn't make the Mitsubishi Outlander's Rockford-Fosgate system simply a "boombox on wheels." The system will please the ears of any discerning music listener, because it is designed to provide crystal clear, low-distortion fidelity to make any type of music come alive in the vehicle.

Digital signal processing allows the listener to customize the Rockford-Fosgate system's performance for five types of music - "normal," "pop," "rock," "hip-hop" and "country" - and four soundfields - "normal," "stage," "live" and "hall." The system automatically compensates volume for vehicle speed as well as equalization for road and wind noise.

Rear Seat DVD Entertainment

A DVD rear-seat entertainment (RSE) system is available as an accessory for all 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander models. The RSE features a flip-down 9-inch wide-screen LCD and includes a remote control and one set of infrared wireless headphones. When Outlander is equipped with both the RSE and Navigation system, this versatile configuration allows front and rear occupants to watch different DVD programs, or the same program; the factory - installed RSE can send its video signal to the navigation system's screen, and vice versa. However, the transmission must be in the Park position for video to play on the navigation display screen.

Steering Wheel Controls

Steering wheel-mounted controls for the cruise control system are standard for Mitsubishi Outlander Special Edition, LS and XLS and are included with the ES model's optional Convenience Package. The controls are mounted on the right side spoke. The LS and XLS models also add standard steering wheel audio controls mounted on the left side spoke.

Echoing user technology seen on luxury vehicles, the steering wheel audio controls operate whichever factory audio system the customer chooses, including the optional Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio system, and the SIRIUS® Satellite Radio when so equipped. The basic controls include volume, station seek for the radio (including SIRIUS Satellite), category selection (SIRIUS Satellite) and track selection and fast-forward/fast-reverse for the CD player (including MP3 CDs).

When the Mitsubishi Outlander is equipped with the optional navigation system, the steering wheel buttons also provide control for the digital music server and, if also equipped with the rear seat entertainment system, front and rear DVD video. Controls for the DVD are similar to those on home equipment, including chapter selection.

Hands-Free Calling

An available hands-free Bluetooth cellular phone interface system with voice recognition allows hands-free calling from compatible phones, which can help to reduce driver distraction. When using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, the driver can initiate calls from the steering wheel controls, answer incoming calls and hang up. With voice recognition, the user can speak a phone number to dial it, or speak the name of a person in the stored phone book. Voice recognition understands commands in English, American Spanish or Canadian French. The microphone is located near the map light. The audio system display (or navigation screen, if equipped) provides a status display, including Bluetooth connection, roaming, phone battery level and signal strength, plus the number being dialed or the number for the incoming call.