2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Limited AWD (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

The cockpit is simple without being dazzling. Mitsubishi thought that putting a strip of fake and glossy carbon fibre trim would look great. It looks good. An analog clock adorns the center of the dashboard.

A special mention about the sound system; It sounds a little better than what I've listened to in recent vehicles. Mitsu has made a habit of putting killer sound systems in their cars and trucks, and this one is no exception.

The seats are very comfortable. However, in this size of vehicle, the middle passenger in back will find a small lack of shoulder and hip room. One interesting feature I discovered is that the back seat offers an angle adjustment for the seatbacks. And of course, you can also flip those seatbacks forward and create a pretty big cargo area.

A brand new Outlander is coming for the 2007 model year, and it looks pretty promising. In the meantime, the current one is not a bad choice at all. In fact, the Outlander should be on your shopping list this year. Why? It may not be the best pick in its category, but it does everything well nonetheless. It's sufficiently powerful, spacious, comfortable and well-equipped.

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Limited AWD (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

At $33,580, this loaded Limited trim level is a little too expensive for a compact SUV, in my opinion. But, you can get a 5-speed Outlander LS AWD for $26,668, which is over $2,500 less than the least-expensive Honda CR-V. The AWD Ford Escape, Nissan X-Trail with all-wheel drive, the Subaru Forester and the brand-new RAV4 all carry a higher base price. The only ones that have four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and that undercut the AWD Outlander's sticker price are the slightly smaller Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage twins and the new Suzuki Grand Vitara.

To top things off, although sales are slowly but surely rising, your local Mitsubishi dealer might sweeten the deal with a nice rebate. Combine that with a warranty coverage that no competitor can match. You could wait for the new 2007 Outlander, but in the meantime, the current Outlander still represents a sure bet.

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Limited AWD (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

What I like:
Versatile and practical
Great sound system
Unbeatable warranty

What I don't like:
Engine is a little noisy
Limited trim level too expensive
Consumes more fuel than I'd like

CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Limited AWD's specifications.