I am pleased to partner with DriveShop and Mitsubishi Motors of North America on this post. While this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.
I have been a minivan mom for the past 12 years. There have been times when I have beamed with pride at my minivan mom status, and then of course, there have been times when driving a minivan just made me feel blah. In the words of one of my friends, “Minivans just aren’t sexy, and I don’t feel sexy when driving one. It’s the mom jean of cars.”
Whoa. The mom jean of cars. That one hit hard because if there is anything I hate, it’s mom jeans. No one, I repeat no one should be able to know that I had two c-sections by looking at my jeans. And while I don’t feel that my childbirth status is visible by the type of car I drive, the fact that I have more than two children is.
All because of the infamous minivan.
Over the years, my feelings have changed about driving a minivan. While I recognized the need our family had for space and great gas mileage, something was missing. Minivans have come a long way over the years, but to me, they still feel limiting.
As my children got older and I approached turning 40, I decided that maybe we should move from minivan to 7-passenger SUV. When I drove my new truck, I felt sexier. When I went to the gas station though, it was a completely different story. I felt poorer. I eventually decided that I could live with not feeling sexy, but I could not live with feeling like I was constantly exceeding my budget.
After a few years with the 7-passenger SUV, I went back to the minivan, and that’s where I currently live in the automobile world. My decision to have a minivan now is based purely on necessity, not because I actually want one. Recently, though, I discovered the Mitsubishi Outlander, which was parked right at the intersection of minivan and SUV, and exudes a little bit of sexiness.
The Outlander is actually a CUV – crossover utility vehicle – because it is built on a different chassis than larger sport utility vehicles. The CUV status is important for regular folks like you and me because it means seating for 7, economical gas mileage, and safer emissions while maintaining the look of an SUV.
Mitsubishi is proud that safety and gas mileage are at the heart of their vehicles. The Outlander gets an average of 27 miles per gallon. That is better than most minivans! I was very impressed with the Advanced Safety Package of this car that included lane departure warning and power folding side mirrors.
I’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the radio, because on a scale of 1 to 10, the teens in my family gave it a 10. The bluetooth system allowed us to stream music from my cell phone and the car was equipped with a Rockford Fosgate sound system that included a subwoofer in the back.
We bumped the sounds from the Rockford Fosgate system – even in the car pool line.
Driving this car gave me the best of both worlds. I had the room I needed for groceries and backpacks and I drove it non-stop for 7 days without needing gas. It handled the needs and more for my family.
There is a third teenager in the back hiding from the paparazzi in the front.
This vehicle handled my infamous weekly grocery store runs!
Let’s talk about that 10/100 warranty! Part of the appeal of the 2016 Outlander is its warranty, a 10-year/100,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. It also includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable New Vehicle Limited Warranty, a 7-year/100,000 mile Anti-Corrosion/Perforation Limited Warranty, and 5 years/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance.
So essentially, this vehicle is all that and a bag of chips (especially considering it has enough room for plenty bags of chips.) For more information about this car, including local dealer information, click here.
Have you every driven a Mitsubishi? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Hey Twilli 
That sounds like a really sweet ride. I have always heard good things about this car 🙂
I drove Galants in the 90s. I loved that car. When it was time for my third one my husband said no. We ended up with a CRV and I’ve driven one of those ever since.
Very cool car. I’ll be over fro a ride.
I finally shed ‘Mommobile’ my mini van in January for a 7 passenger SUV. I REALLY DO love my new car. A lot. But you aren’t kidding about that gas. I knew it would be more than the van but OUCH! I only have a 2 year lease so I may need to look at this Outlander when the time comes.
I am going to have to check this out, I don’t really want a minivan, it doesn’t really work for our family.
This sounds like a great car! I’ve always been a fan of a passenger car (like a 4 door sedan), but I’m hearing a lot of good things about the Mitsubishi.
I think minivans are cool and I don’t think it matters what you drive. At least with a bigger car you have more space!
I used to run a childcare centre and had a minivan. I loved it so much. Was bummed when I sold it.
I looked at an Outlander when I was looking to buy my last car. I was really impressed with it. I think the only that kept me from buying it was the color. Otherwise it was a great car.
Nice! We are looking for a larger vehicle…3 kids in car seats in a sedan is just plain wrong! No long car trips for us 🙂 I have actually been considering a minivan…but maybe I will take a look at this car!
I’ve never knew someone can be sexy or not by the car they drive. I think minivan is great! Glad you enjoy your new car. The photo of you and your kids are just precious!
I have never owned a minivan but I do love my suv! We are actually in the process of maybe adding a 2nd vehicle so glad I found your review.
What a timely post. I am actually getting this car next week for a roadtrip thanks for the prep.
I’ve never driven a Mitsubishi. I’ll keep it in mind when I buy a new car next year.
Nope…no Mitsubishi here….have always been a Toyota girl….This vehicle looks great though, you could actually make a girl want to switch…NAH….LOL
Looks like an incredible car! I’m planning on purchasing my first car in the near-ish future, and this was definitely helpful.
Minivans can be sexy! It is all who is driving that minivan, right?!
I had a Mitsubishi before my current vehicle and that car took a licking and kept on ticking. My husband swears it is the best car we have ever had!
This is too funny! I have been driving a minivan for 9 years. It took me a long time to get used to being a “minivan mom”. It has been great as you said with younger kids but ours are getting older and I’m ready for something new too.
That is a pretty sexy looking car. Its so great that its a looker of a car but is also really great for your family.
That is a cute car. So much room and perfect for kids! I am looking for a new car!
Ooh this is a nice looking car! We had the worst mini-van growing up – it was green, so everyone could see it coming from miles away – and it meant I have not been a fan ever since 🙂 Love the look of this one though
I’ve never driven a Mitsubishi. Might have to check them out the next time I look at cars!
I honestly have never driven one. This SUV sounds pretty fabulous though. I really should go give one a test drive!
I refuse to be a minivan mom. But, I only have one child. My Malibu has plenty of room for chips. Just wished it had the same warranty as your Mitsubishi.