Here's a secret: I'm secretly in love with the 2003 to 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. A few years back when test-driving the 2006 model, its decent fuel consumption, car-like ride and handling, and flexible, comfortable interior got the better of me.

Not a tire-melting monster or even particularly exciting, it's a sensible, comfortable and versatile machine for a family of four or five- and it's way cooler than a minivan. Owners proudly boast about its great selection of features for the money, and define it as real bargain where a stylish and classy hauler is concerned.

2006 Mitsubshi Outlander

Want an SUV but don't like the fuel bills? Want a car but need more space? This is an ideal compromise. There's no V6 engine option, and the horsepower figures won't get anyone's heart pounding- though shoppers will find seating for five, available heated leather, sunroof, premium audio and an automatic or manual transmission- depending on the model. Front or all wheel drive was available as well.

With all the sensible family stuff going on here, it's worth taking a look at Outlander's safety, too. You'll find four-star driver and passenger protection ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as four or five star side-impact ratings- depending on the year. There was no traction or stability control, and ABS was available only on higher models early on, though it became standard across the lineup towards the end of the generation.

A trend with Mitsubishi is a learning process about the North American market and their love of horsepower. The new Lancer GTS, for instance, just gained ponies after barely only a year on sale. The Outlander did a similar trick- starting with 140 horsepower which was bumped subsequently to 160. Both figures were generated by a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that's adequately quiet and decent on fuel.

Reliability looks solid- with minor problems reported for most years. Early models in 2003 had a few concerns- mainly a failure of the cooling fan controller. If the unit fails, the engine's cooling fan won't engage when required, meaning that the engine could overheat and possibly be damaged. Have this checked, as nothing ruins a family road-trip like a warped cylinder head.