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I can attest to the OS kicking a$$ when towing. I towed a yamaha FZ-09 on a 3 rail trailer from phoenix, az to austin, tx flawlessly. We did both ways each in one day. Total of around 2k miles. Just make sure your CVT oil is good and all other fluids are up to shape and keep the load relatively light.
A guy I work with made a good observation. Notice how the other countries that allow towing don't offer a 10 year warranty? I think that's the reason they don't allow it. Please correct me if I'm wrong .
If companies did not make products like a Curt hitch especially a class 3 with a 2" receiver I would not think the OS could tow but, being that there are wiring harness, hitches in many different classes I did not hesitate to add one. Just be cautious of what the car can handle. I wouldn't hook up a giant 5x8 U-haul trailer and over work the CVT system. I think light loads, being cautious with speed, braking, etc.. and you will be just fine.
Like I said, I have used our OS plenty of times to tow motorcycles, open U-haul trailers and other random crap and it actually did really good. On our way to Austin I was averaging around 20-21 MPG at 65-70mph for around 13-14 hours of driving. It was not a heavy load but not a light one either, the weight was definitely noticeable.
My sister had a subaru outback 2010 with the cvt transmission. she rented a U-haul trailer and we fill it up. I drove her from Oregon to Omaha Nebraska. Although it was snowing and we were riding away from a blizzard... there was snow on the roads most of the time, except the freeways were cleared very well, from idaho to Nebraska. We drove 65 mph tops and of course slower speeds up hills. with no problems... IMO the outlander sport CVT with a 2.4L engine should have no problem doing the same thing. I doubt that subaru with all their cvt issues is much better than mitsubishi's cvt. Just do what you are comfortable with.
I think most peoples concern is the transmission. The engine is more than capable. The 2.0 has more torque than most 4 bangers of the same size. Its a square engine when it comes to HP and Torque. Back when I was a kid, my dad towed a trailer full of stuff including a gravely tractor with a 1986 Renault encore hatch 5 speed for 2hrs one way. Its HP and torque numbers are much lower.
I have heard from the dealer, that there is a factory recalls in the process of going out on 2011 Outlander Sport CVT transmissions, but they don't have a fix yet. Wondering how that might play into all of this.
I know this response is years later, but maybe it will help someone whose wondering about towing with an Outlander Sport. I have a 2015 Outlander Sport 4WD with the 2.4L engine and CVT transmission. I asked my dealer about what I could tow and he stated that, if I installed a transmission cooler, I could go to 1,500 lbs. He recommended using AAMCO and they installed the transmission cooler. The dealer also suggested that I have the transmission fluid changed annually. Our camping trailer is 600 lbs. (all fiberglass except the frame and hitches front and rear) plus the other camping supplies and the two of us passengers for a total of about1,200 lbs. We have put about 7,000 miles on this trailer so far, most of the miles being on interstate at 65mph (maximum speed for trailer tires) and in a combination of flat and mountain regions. We have had zero problems. I applaud my local Mitsubishi dealer for giving me the advice he did as it has worked perfectly for us. I hope this is helpful to others that wonder about towing with an Outlander Sport.
Future update?
