Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

In Outlander language, 'Sport' means shrunken. The much sharper looking smaller 5-seat sibling of the original Outlander features a fair share of upgrades to its already robust packaging. Available with premium features well beyond what its stature would suggest, like rain detecting windshield wipers, heated side mirrors, HID headlights, a backup camera and panoramic glass roof, there isn't much to add to the cute-ute. Instead for 2013 Mitsubishi has focused on improving areas of criticism like the lack of any actual sportiness despite the little tyke's designation. Power is still a modest 148 horsepower from the 2.0-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder, but enhanced calibration of the CVT should improve acceleration and soften up the shift feel. Whether equipped with FWD or All-Wheel Control, the revised rear multi-link suspension ought to enhance ride comfort and handling to better suit the Sport. Arguably the best looking vehicle wearing the three-diamond badge the Outlander Sport didn't need much sprucing up, but Mitsubishi redesigned the front bumper section with a new grille and fog lamp design, tidied up the rear bumper as well as made 18 inch wheels standard for all four trim levels.

Dodge Journey 2014

With room for five to seven passengers, Dodge pitches the Journey as the "most affordable" crossover SUV on sale today. It certainly offers a lot of content. The base Journey AVP already starts with 17-inch steel wheels, stability control, seven airbags, a 4.3-inch Uconnect Media Center, and soft-touch interior. Higher trims include the SE, which brings roof rails, LED taillights, and tinted glass. Next, there's the SXT, moving the Journey onto 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tucking an array of features like foglights, restyled front and rear bumpers, optional all-wheel drive, available 8.4-inch touch-screen Uconnect Media Center, and front and rear floor mats into the fold. Then, there's the Crew model, endowed with a leather interior, heated seats and steering wheel, flat-folding front passenger seat, remote start, and more. Finally, there's the top-of-the-line R/T, equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, a six-speaker premium sound system, and carbon-colored 19-inch wheels. The base engine is a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter I-4, but it's noteworthy that the Journey's fuel economy doesn't take a big hit when the optional 283-hp 3.6-liter V-6 is selected. At its worst, a V-6-powered Journey with optional all-wheel drive is rated 16/24 mpg city/highway. Properly equipped, the Journey can tow up to 2500 pounds.