We didn't have the opportunity to thoroughly test the Outlook's cornering, but from what we could see, the handling is decent for a vehicle this size. There are solid indications that it should be good, including a modern independent suspension and ring-and-pinion steering.
The Aura sedan uses paddles on the steering wheel for its manual operation of the automatic transmission, for sporty driving; but the Outlook uses a button on the side of the shift knob that you flick with your thumb, for more practical manual shifting, for example with changing terrain and load. We shifted a lot, and liked the tight gear changes.
We drove both a front-wheel-drive XE and an all-wheel-drive XR. We didn't get off road, but the AWD system drives 60 percent of the power to the front wheels and 40 percent to the rear on dry pavement, and adjusts that ratio when the sensors detect slipping. That 60-40 split is more balanced than most; some systems are heavily balanced to the front, as much as 95-5.
It's not uncommon to detect a difference in the ride, between a FWD and AWD version of the same vehicle, and it's usually the FWD that's smoother. In this case, we think the front suspension of the AWD felt tighter, and less jouncy. Firmer and more comfortable, at the same time. That contributed to the good handling. Next Page