Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2021 Fiat 500X

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision Mitigation optional in the Outlander Sport as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Outlander Sport’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 500X and is only available on 500X Trekking/Sport/Trekking Plus.

Both the Outlander Sport and the 500X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-path warning.

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 500X’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Outlander Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 500X’s (7 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Outlander Sport has a standard 530-amp battery. The 500X’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander Sport’s reliability 29 points higher than the 500X.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander Sport second among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The 500X isn’t in the top three in its category.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander Sport AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (15.8 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outlander Sport FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (16.6 vs. 12.7 gallons).

The Outlander Sport has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 500X doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outlander Sport stops shorter than the 500X:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outlander Sport’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the 500X (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

The Outlander Sport SE 4WD handles at .80 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the 500X’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 500X (8.5 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander Sport has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (97.5 vs. 91.7).

The Outlander Sport has .3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (21.7 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (49.5 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

The Outlander Sport has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 500X doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Outlander Sport’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 500X’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Outlander Sport has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Outlander Sport has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Outlander Sport’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The 500X Pop doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Outlander Sport has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

The Outlander Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The 500X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Outlander Sport owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Outlander Sport with a number “1” insurance rate while the 500X is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outlander Sport is less expensive to operate than the 500X because typical repairs cost less on the Outlander Sport than the 500X, including $55 less for fuel injection.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport outsold the Fiat 500X by almost 26 to one during the 2021 model year.