Old Japanese crossover – what the owners say

You are looking for a great old crossover and your budget is limited to 7,500 Euros. You want the model to be Japanese and there are a lot of offers on this market. In this case, we will focus on three models – Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-9 – based on the reviews of people who own or have owned one of these three cars.

 Mitsubishi Outlander

The criteria used includes both first- and second-generation cars manufactured before 2009. Obviously, the more expensive they are, the newer they are. The cars are equipped with a 2.0, 2.4 or 3.0-liter gasoline engine that develops 147, 170 or 220 hp, as well as two diesel engines – a 2.0-liter with 140 hp and a 2.2-liter with 156 hp. Almost all variants have four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, but there are also manual versions.

1. What do they praise the Mitsubishi Outlander for?

The main advantages of the model, according to its owners, are reliability, controllability and high off-road capability. The interior and a large trunk are also mentioned as advantages of the crossover, which are also among the reasons for choosing this model. And the advice is to choose versions with a 3.0-liter gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter diesel engine.

The quality of the seats is noted, as well as the good performance of the air conditioning. Some owners say they are very happy with the CVT transmission, but also insist that they need to be careful with it. In the Mitsubishi Outlander, it’s especially important to keep a close eye on all the systems and fix problems immediately if necessary.

2. What do people criticize the Mitsubishi Outlander for?

The most common complaints about the model are noise insulation in the cabin, color and suspension. Curiously, some owners are dissatisfied with the performance and reliability of the variator transmission, which is quite expensive to replace. The crossover has also been criticized for its high oil consumption, especially in the 2.4-liter version. Another problem, according to some owners, is a difficult repair due to the design of the crossover.

Subaru Forester

You can buy a popular Japanese model of the third generation, including facelift, produced until 2013. At the same time, versions with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine predominate, but there are also proposals with a 2.5-liter (also gasoline) unit. Their output is 150 and 173 hp respectively. Of course, four-wheel drive is a system that Subaru is proud of, and the transmissions come in both manual and automatic.

1. What is the Subaru Forester praised for?

Fans of the brand do not spare their excellent degrees for this car, as they are associated with high off-road performance and reliability, as well as good visibility provided by a high driver’s seat in the car, as well as the dynamics of the engines and suspension.

The crossover gets high marks for its spacious interior with quality materials. They admit that Forester maintenance is a bit more expensive, but the investment is worth it, because with good relations the car serves perfectly and especially long.

2. What do they criticize the Subaru Forester for?

Here, too, the criticism concerns the sound insulation in the cabin, the quality of the paint, as well as the operation of the headlights. However, there are also more serious complaints, such as increased oil consumption of gasoline engines, as well as the rapid appearance of rust under the bottom of the engine.

The Forester is also criticized for having some systems fail right after the warranty expires, as well as expensive maintenance. There are also complaints about the automatic transmission in older versions of the model, which is associated with high fuel consumption, especially when driving in urban areas.

Test this car yourself by getting it from car rental companies.

Mazda CX-9

A not so popular car on the market, the first generation of which was produced between 2006 and 2012. Mainly because it is available with only two engines – 3.5 and 3.7 liter gasoline engines. Their power is 3.5 or 3.7 liters respectively, and a four-wheel drive system and automatic transmission are practically offered (hardly anyone would be interested in front-wheel drive and manual transmission).

1. What is the Mazda CX-9 praised for?

The model has earned a good reputation for its dynamics, handling, spacious interior and good visibility, which it provides to the driver. Also worth noting is the large trunk, which is especially important, as well as the impressive design, according to some owners.

Most are adamant that the CX-9 performs well off-road, though it’s not a typical SUV. Three rows of seats and good acoustics are also pluses of the model. The engine power is also liked, although gasoline consumption seems quite serious – 14 l/100 km.

2. What do people criticize the Mazda CX-9 for?

In the case of the Mazda crossover, claims to expensive parts are quite difficult to find due to the fact that the model is quite rare. It is also claimed that the paintwork is not of the highest quality, but there are more serious problems.