2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Honda CR-V

Even in a grim year, Honda is selling a staggering number of CR-Vs. The CR-V is the best-selling Honda in Canada, edging out the home-built Honda Civic. The CR-V is also the second best-selling compact SUV, just behind the Toyota RAV4. And it was the sixth best-selling vehicle in Canada in 2021.

So, it’s hard to argue against the CR-V formula. Honda’s been at this almost as long as crossovers have been a thing, launching the CR-V in 1997—a year after the RAV4 debuted.

The funny thing is, aside from sales volume, there’s only one thing the CR-V particularly excels at. Aesthetics are subjective, but it would be hard to argue the CR-V is the best-looking vehicle in its class. It’s not the cheapest. It’s not the best equipped, especially at the middle to lower trim levels. It’s not the fastest, nor is it the quietest, or the most fuel efficient. It’s not even the most reliable, showing up nowhere in J.D. Power's Most Reliable list.

So, what makes it so appealing to Canadian consumers? Let’s see if we can figure that out.

Globalization is as transformative a trend within the automotive industry as electrification. To keep cars, trucks, and SUVs competitive and affordable, automakers partner up to share platforms, powertrains, and parts while distinguishing between brands through design, packaging, and dynamic tuning. Thanks to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a new vehicle that is an undisputed beneficiary of this trend.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid that is a popular model in Canada, was not included in the redesign. This review applies only to non-electrified models.