Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2022 Ford EcoSport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The Outlander Sport has standard Active Front Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Front Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Outlander Sport has standard Forward Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Outlander Sport’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the Outlander Sport and the EcoSport 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

	Outlander Sport	EcoSport
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	208	250
Neck Injury Risk	29%	36%
Leg Forces (l/r)	334/511 lbs.	495/441 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

	Outlander Sport	EcoSport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.9 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Outlander Sport is 1.3% to 2.2% less likely to roll over than the EcoSport.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 227 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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 EcoSport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the EcoSport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EcoSport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

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 14 points higher than the EcoSport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi above average in long-term dependability. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mitsubishi 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 2 more horsepower (168 vs. 166) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (167 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Ford EcoSport:

	Outlander Sport	EcoSport
Zero to 30 MPH	3.8 sec	3.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	10.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	6.6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17.6 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	80.7 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Outlander Sport has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the EcoSport (15.8 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Outlander Sport stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

	Outlander Sport	EcoSport
70 to 0 MPH	184 feet	186 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Outlander Sport has larger standard tires than the EcoSport (215/70R16 vs. 205/60R16). The Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EcoSport (225/55R18 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT has standard 18-inch wheels. The EcoSport’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Outlander Sport has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The EcoSport doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outlander Sport’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the EcoSport (105.1 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

The Outlander Sport SE 4WD handles at .77 G’s, while the EcoSport SE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outlander Sport 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EcoSport SE (28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Outlander Sport has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EcoSport (97.5 vs. 91.1).

The Outlander Sport has .5 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

Cargo Capacity

The Outlander Sport has a larger cargo volume than the EcoSport with its rear seat up (21.7 vs. 20.9 cubic feet).

The Outlander Sport’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

Ergonomics

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 EcoSport 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 EcoSport’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Outlander Sport’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Outlander Sport’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Outlander Sport detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Outlander Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the EcoSport SES/Titanium.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

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 EcoSport is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

The Outlander Sport will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Outlander Sport will retain 47.78% to 49.36% of its original price after five years, while the EcoSport only retains 44.94% to 46.13%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outlander Sport is less expensive to operate than the EcoSport because typical repairs cost much less on the Outlander Sport than the EcoSport, including $31 less for a muffler, $10 less for front brake pads, $4 less for front struts and $469 less for a timing belt/chain.