Since reality game shows are the rage on TV, we figured, why not launch this auto review column with our own version? Nothing wrong with hopping on a hot trend, right? And don’t worry – you don’t have to be naked or afraid to play our game. All you’ve got to do is search social media, the internet or area auto dealerships to find an all-wheel drive compact crossover that lists for around $27,000 and comes with all the standard equipment you’ll find on this week’s test car: a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 GT AWC.

Wow. Its name – which is more like a description – is nearly as long as its list of standard equipment, which we’ll share later. Speaking of model names, Mitsubishi also unexplainably decided to give two of its four 2016 vehicles more or less the same name.

Both the compact and mid-size Mitsubishi crossovers are named Outlander. To differentiate the one we drove from its big brother, Mitsubishi gave it a last name: Sport. “Junior” would have worked just as well, because the smaller Outlander isn’t any sportier than its sibling.

Here’s what the rest of its descriptive name means: The 2.4 represents its 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. There are also Outlander Sport 2.0 models which, as you probably guessed, are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The former produces 168 horsepower; the latter, 148.

Still with me? The GT in our test car’s name represents trim level. Starting with the most affordable model, Mitsubishi offers the Outlander Sport in ES, SE, SEL and GT trims.

Starting prices for the Outlander Sport range from $19,595 for a front-wheel drive ES 2.0 to $27,395 for a 2.4 GT all-wheel drive like the one tested. All of the trim levels can be equipped with all-wheel drive, which Mitsubishi calls AWC. That stands for All- Wheel Control, and explains the last part of our test car’s model name.

Why AWC? Partly due to heritage. The name was used to describe the sophisticated, high-tech, four-wheel drive systems Mitsubishi Evolution racing that often dominated off-road rallying. But the Outlander Sport GT’s system is more like the AWD systems found on countless crossovers than the ones on Mitsubishi rally cars.

The compact crossover class is a crowded one, populated by favorites such as the Ford Escape, the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V – the list goes on. Whether you’d choose the Outlander Sport over any of its competitors depends on your priorities.

If they include styling and value, Mitsubishi’s offering could very well be at or near the top of your shopping list. Although taste in styling varies as much as taste in food, it’s hard to imagine anyone not having an appetite for the Outlander Sport’s interior and exterior design.

On the outside, Mitsubishi stylists delivered a distinctive and sporty front end that bears a mild resemblance to Lexus’ new offerings, but isn’t nearly as radical looking. A character line on each flank sweeps upward from the front wheel well to the rear side window. The windows also taper from front to back, giving the Outlander Sport a dynamic appearance even while sitting still. Black-and-silver, 18-inch alloy wheels add a dash of upscale sportiness.

Like its exterior, the Outlander Sport’s interior was refreshed, but not totally revamped for this model year. Given that the interior has been roundly criticized in the past for its plastic-y look and feel, the modest changes are surprisingly effective.

The interior styling was never offensive. And the use of new seating surfaces, application of soft-touch materials in strategic places and leather coverings on the steering wheel, shift lever and handbrake make the 2016 Mitsubishi cabin a much more appealing place to be.

Not that it’s a place where your pulse will quicken while driving. There’s nothing about the Outlander Sport’s handling, engine performance or ride comfort that rises to the level of best-inclass. “Competent” is probably the best way to describe this compact crossover.

As a daily driver, we’d be perfectly content putting 12,000 miles a year on the odometer, although we’d like it if the cabin was a bit quieter at highway speeds.

Some owners might also wish that the Outlander Sport got better fuel economy. Given that even the larger engine doesn’t deliver huge doses of horsepower or torque, we expected a little better mileage than the Mitsubishi’s 22 city/27 highway/24 combined miles-per-gallon EPA fuel economy rating.

Several competitors go farther on a tank of gas, but the Outlander Sport fares well when comparing cargo and passenger room. Its rear seat is large enough for a couple of adults to ride comfortably, and its cargo space – 21.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 49.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split seat-backs folded – is about what buyers expect in this class .

What is unexpected in this class, and for its price, is the Outlander Sport’s long list of standard features. The test car’s base price includes an automatic transmission with paddle shifters, auto on/off HID headlights, fog lights, heated leather seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding door mirrors with defrosters, roof rails and a panoramic moon roof.

There’s more, including items typically not found in this class, such as rain-sensing windshield wipers and auto climate control. Other standard goodies on our tester: Eight-way power driver’s seat; tilt/telescope steering wheel with audio controls; aluminum pedals; carpeted floor mats; 710-watt, nine-speaker audio system with 10-inch sub-woofer; keyless entry and push-button start; auto-dimming rearview mirror; Homelink garage door opener; back-up camera; power windows; and height-adjustable headlights.

If that kind of value appeals to you, check out Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport 2.4 GT AWC. When it comes to delivering feature-laden bang-for-the-buck in the compact crossover class, there are really no other contenders.

— Scott Wasser is a professional writer and editor who has been reviewing autos for more than a decade. He lives in Scarborough.