The RVR’s 2L four lacks torque below 3000 rpm, is noisy and performs just adequately  The available CVT works well enough but employs a lot of noisy revs from the coarse engine to deliver tepid, unenthusiastic acceleration. Good control of road and wind noise combines with low-rev cruising to make the RVR a relaxing car on the highway. An absorbent ride is accompanied by noticeable lean in corners, which turns to understeer when pushed. Porpoising is evident on long undulations and the car can be deflected off its path by mid-corner bumps. The brakes have an inert pedal feel. Light, lifeless steering.
The RVR’s cabin is fronted by a classically conservative dashboard housing clear instrumentation and straightforward controls. The dash and the upper door panels are padded in a material with a very upmarket appearance, and while most other surfaces are hard to the touch, their matte finishes are quite attractive. Faux alloy trim pieces brighten the cabin. The front seats are large, deeply padded, very comfortable and are swathed in appealing fabrics. The door panels have cloth inserts matching those on the seats. With good space utilization, the RVR can easily house a quartet of adults and can take three people in the back seat for short hops. The fixed, full-length glass roof panel equipped with an electrically-retracting screen that fully blocked the rays of the sun when closed. The roof is frustrating in that most drivers would prefer at least some part of it to open. That said, some rear seat passengers enjoyed the panoramic views afforded by the massive glazed area. Small lights, located alongside the tracks of the sunscreen reflect onto the glass, which amused some passengerslly at night. The RVR’s regularly-shaped cargo bay is a bit shallow below its cargo cover, but expands considerably when you fold down the rear seats.

Mitsubishi offers the 2L four as well as the 2.4L, but should withdraw the 2L as it is slow and noisy. The car is marketed as an SUV or crossover, but in terms of size, versatility and price, it is in reality just a tall hatchback.  

Standard on the LE, SEL and GT, all-wheel drive is a a $2500 option on the ES and $2700 on the SE. Moving up from the ES to the SE adds blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, alloy wheels, deep-tint glass and fog lights, but is overpriced. The SE all-wheel drive replaces the 2L engine with a 2.4L four. The SEL and LE trims are so close together in price and equipment that one of them is cleary not needed. The range-topping GT adds a large format fixed-glass roof, leather seating, a Rockford Fosgate audio system and a forward collison warning and automomous emergency braking, at a good price. All colours are optional from $150 to $450.

Average to above average reliability predicted. Few complaints have been received regarding the RVR despite the fact it went on sale in 2011. Some replacement parts are expensive. The long 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty is compelling for some buyers.