All models of Outlander surround you, and your passengers, with airbags. This includes driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags. They deploy in dual-stages, which means they inflate to minimise injury from the airbag itself.

Beneath the handsome bodywork lies a rigid structure called RISE, or Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution. In a nutshell, it repels impact energy in some areas, while absorbing it in crumple zones away from the occupants. Because it’s light, it doesn’t impose on the handling or economy. It’s the same principle used in aircraft frames. The three-point safety belts use pre-tensioners to decrease movement in an impact.

This is an exclusive traction system we developed during our many winning years in the decidedly uncivilised Paris–Dakar rally. So what’s it doing on the Outlander? Many things. For a start, it gives you excellent control on-road, whatever the conditions throw at you. And when the mood suits you, it gives you incredible agility off-road. Outlander is now also equipped with a SmartBrake override system, which selects brakes over accelerator if it happens that both pedals are depressed simultaneously.