Small SUVs are more popular than ever in these fuel-conscious times, and that's good news for the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Gas mileage for the Outlander is a bit higher than other small SUVs, rated at 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

Consumer Reports got 22 mpg overall, with only the Jeep Compass Sport, Toyota's RAV4, Subaru Forester and Nissan's Rogue matching that figure out of 24 models.

The Outlander also has substantial room for cargo and passengers.

But what sets it apart from the competition is its styling. All manufacturers are doing their best to come up with a distinctive look, but Mitsubishi is doing a better job than most.

The 2008 Outlander 2.4 SE I tested looked a lot more expensive than it was -- $25,265 with destination charges. Tasteful chrome accents add an aura of class. The roofline has a nice profile that leads into a rounded back end. I also liked the fact that the car has two glove compartments.

The Outlander shifts from two-wheel to four-wheel drive via a simple dial, making it easier to hit the off-road trail than most others in this class.

The audio system, by the way, is a killer. It's a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate Premium system with nine speakers, a 10-inch subwoofer and an MP3 outlet.

Other standard equipment includes a power sunroof, fog lights, paddle shifters, side curtain air bags, air conditioning and stability control.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter, 168-horsepower four-cylinder engine that was the only sore spot on the Outlander. The engine hesitated and was slow to get going. There also were signs of strain heading up hills.

In terms of handling, the Outlander has a decidedly sporty edge, making it a lot of fun to drive.

If reliability is important to you, the Outlander comes highly recommended by Consumer Reports, which rated it "outstanding" in that regard.