11/08/2008 12:01. When the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS AWD first came to us, the world was already changing. SUVs were languishing on dealer lots, and anything smaller, greener, easier and cheaper was in. Gas prices were rising and car-based crossovers were popping up from every manufacturer that could see the writing on the wall.

But most of these crossovers were based on boring platforms — family cars that were boring as sedans and would be boring as big wagons. Mitsubishi found itself with the same platform that lies beneath both the depressing Dodge Caliber and the divine Lancer Evolution , and set out to make a crossover for the Evo crowd.

In terms of major mechanical issues, the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS AWD proved to be flawless. Not a clunk nor a clatter, neither smoke nor smell emanated... // Edmunds.com/Inside Line