You’ll find an impressive selection of different models at your nearest Mitsubishi dealer, and yet even with so many great vehicles around it, the Mitsubishi RVR still manages to stand out. As a subcompact SUV, it’s one of the smallest options that Mitsubishi offers—the subcompact hatchback Mirage is the only one that’s more modest in scale—yet it delivers a driving experience that feels far from lacking. It’s the only vehicle from Mitsubishi currently available with more than one engine to choose from, and it has a terrific range of features and options for you to enjoy. But you don’t just have to take my word for it; let’s look at some of the specific reasons you should check out the Mitsubishi RVR when shopping for your next SUV.
Reason #1: Two Great Engines to Choose From
You might assume that the engine in a subcompact crossover isn’t all that important since it’s such a small vehicle, but it really does matter. A meagre engine can make driving far less enjoyable, even if it’s just a matter of getting through your daily routine or morning commute. Fortunately, the Mitsubishi RVR doesn’t fall into this trap as it starts with a 2.0L I-4 engine that delivers 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. This is a great amount of power to start with, and it comes paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a very smooth overall drive.
If you’re looking for more power than that, then Mitsubishi has you covered because the RVR can also come with an available 2.4L I-4 engine that boosts performance up to 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission—personally, I still prefer the feel of an automatic like this to a CVT, but that’s purely my preference. The increase in performance here is enough for you to feel, so having both of these engines available makes a difference. I think it’s worth spending a bit more for the more-powerful engine if it’s within your budget, but even the standard engine makes the RVR a lot of fun to drive.
Reason #2: Your Choice of Drive Type
There are seven different trim levels available for the Mitsubishi RVR, but there are really fewer than that to worry about because, in part, this number comes from the two available different drive types. The standard ES and SE trims come with front-wheel drive (FWD) as the starting option, giving you a sporty performance that makes driving the RVR feel great. To me, the only real downside of standard FWD is that it’s not ideal for dealing with rough winter weather and driving on streets with a lot of snow and slush.
Fortunately, there are five trims available that come with Mitsubishi’s All-Wheel Control (AWC) system with a Drive Mode Selector that lets you choose between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive while you’re on the road. These AWC models are the way to go if you want the best control possible in slippery road conditions; they’re perfect for winter driving, dealing with rain, and even for dirt and gravel roads. Going with an AWC model also gives you access to the more-powerful available engine; this is the only real drawback to this setup, as you can’t get the 2.4L engine with FWD. Still, that’s a small issue, and if you want the added power of the bigger engine, then it’s worth having AWC while on the road.
Reason #3: Impressive Standard Features Inside
With so many trim levels available, it’s easy to get hung up on the kinds of options that you can choose from, but one thing I love about the Mitsubishi RVR is just how fantastic its standard interior features are. The starting ES model comes with heated front seats, perfect if you live somewhere cold, along with fabric seating that might not be particularly fancy but is quite comfortable. A six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and four-way manual front-passenger seat are both standard, which gives you plenty of ways to get your seat good and comfortable before you hit the road.
You get automatic climate control, standard, along with a 20-cm infotainment display that looks fantastic and makes all of the tech features in the RVR easy to use. It comes with a four-speaker sound system, which isn’t amazing, to be honest, but it’s more than sufficient for a small vehicle like this, plus a colour multi-information display for the driver. Combine that with things like heated power side-view mirrors and LED exterior lighting, and you have a fantastic driving experience, even without any extra features.
Reason #4: Even Better Options Available
Having said all of that, I still want to point out that many exceptional upgrades and options are available if you’re looking for more than what comes standard. For example, looking at the higher SEL trim, you’ll find faux suede-appointed seating that’s quite comfortable, with a leather-wrapped shift knob and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Soft-touch materials on the instrument panel, along with Gloss Black and Silver accents throughout the interior, help elevate its overall look, while a six-speaker sound system makes every trip more enjoyable.
Moving up to the pinnacle trim for the RVR, the GT provides a truly fantastic driving experience thanks to a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with leather-appointed seating and other fine details. The GT comes with an auto-dimming rearview mirror and all kinds of luxury touches and upgrades throughout the interior. You’ll find a heated steering wheel in this model and an incredible nine-speaker 710-Watt Rockford Fosgate Punch sound system with a 25.4-cm subwoofer for a remarkable time on the road. With a fixed-glass panoramic sunroof, the RVR GT ensures you’ll look forward to every chance you have to get behind the wheel and go for a drive.
Reason #5: Incredible Warranty Coverage
One of the great things about the RVR, and the Mitsubishi lineup in general, to be honest, is that it has one of the best warranties in the auto industry covering it. Every new vehicle has some warranty protection, but they’re not all made equally. For example, Toyota—one of the biggest brands—offers their new vehicles with a three-year/60,000-km basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-km powertrain warranty, which is pretty standard for the industry. But Mitsubishi is anything but standard.
The 2023 Mitsubishi RVR comes with a five-year/160,000-km new vehicle warranty, which you can see is two years and 100,000 km longer than Toyota’s similar coverage. It also has a 10-year/160,000-km powertrain warranty; that’s five years longer (double the duration) and 60,000 km more than Toyota’s powertrain coverage. In addition, with the RVR, you get five years of Roadside Assistance with unlimited distance—no matter how far you drive, you’ll be covered for the full duration. This gives you incredible peace of mind on the road and lets you drive with confidence far longer than what other companies offer, providing the most impressive warranty coverage in the industry.
Going Further to Deliver a Great Drive
To be honest, this is only the beginning of the fantastic features that the Mitsubishi RVR has to offer, and it’s well worth your time to learn more. If you’re interested in a subcompact crossover model, the RVR has you covered with terrific performance, great features, and some of the best warranty protection available anywhere. There’s a reason so many people have chosen the RVR year after year, and Mitsubishi continues to win over new drivers with each model that hits the road. No matter what you’re looking for in your next crossover, Mitsubishi has you covered with a terrific vehicle that’s incredibly fun to drive.
