XLS features USA vs Canada

Hi everyone I have been watching this forum for a few months and picked up my outlander xls 4wd with navi 2 weeks ago. I love the vehicle and was wondering what the feature differences are between the US version and Canadian version if any. I live in Canada by the way. 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on a fine fine purchase!  The XLS versions are virtually the same with some exceptions.  In Canada, the XLS comes loaded, there are no options.  In the US, there is a base XLS with the ability to add items such as rear entertainment system, navigation system, sunroof, etc.  Also the US has a choice of interior leather colour being black or beige.  Assuming we compare a loaded US XLS with its Canadian counterpart, here are the major differences (I'll leave out the obvious metric/imperial and english/french labelling):
 
US - HID headlights standard, driving lights in fog light position, fog lights are not an option.
Canada - HID headlights are not an option.
 
There is also some debate whether certain US versions have heated mirrors or not.  In Canada, you have heated mirrors for sure. 
 
Everything else is the same.
 

Thanks for the quick reply, I didn't think i had heated mirrors but i will have to check that one. I can't understand why we can't get the HID headlights. I still think the vehicle is awesome though.

I have a U.S. XLS and it does indeed have heated side mirrors.  I don't recall seeing anything in the manual about it and most of the dealers don't know if it does or doesn't...

Stupid question, how can you tell if there heated?

Crack an egg and put it on the mirror. JK. Turn on the rear defroster and feel the side mirrors and see if they get warmer.

Wow they heat up fast. I can't believe there's no info on that anywhere. This forum really is helpful, I'm still kinda choked about the lights though.

Canadian XLS comes with cargo cover, which in the US is a separate accesory.

The stock lights are more than adequate, infact I was concerned they were too bright. You really notice it on a road without street lights. So I wouldnt loose any sleep over it.

How much better are the HID lights over the stock ones?

I compared my HID lights in my outlander to my mom and dads cars that dont have HIDs. The only real difference is how they would make signs more visible on the side of the road. I couldnt really see more of the road or farther ahead. I guess its the light from the HIDs that reflects off of things better. Now the high beams on the other hand light up everything! I turn them on and its like driving in the day time. Someone was driving towards me and put their high beams on, so I flashed mine to let them know they still had theirs on and when I did I saw everything in the car. I seen her hair color, what shirt she was wearing, and I seen she wasnt wearing her seat belt haha.

I agree the lighting system is incredible on this vehicle.  The stock halogens supplied are Silverstars which are very good.  However, if you want even brighter halogens, throw in a couple of Silverstar Ultras and be prepared to be blown away.  I swapped mine and couldn't believe the difference.  I will be testing a set of HIDs in the next few weeks and do some real world comparisons with the stock system.  Of course I will report back here once my testing is complete.
 
Also, just to clarify - the high beams on all models are the same halogens.

Is the dealer installing the HID?
I also have a few other questions should I start a new thread or continue with this one?

No, I will be installing.  This is as good a place to ask questions.

What's the cost to install HID's?

That's a pretty broad question.  If you want factory everything, HID's, ECU, auto-leveling sensors and motors, plus dealer installation, I am betting at least $1,000.
 
On the other end of the scale, you can buy a set of HID's off eBay for about $100 US.  No auto-leveling but no big deal as long as you aim them correctly the first time.

Unless they made a mistake on my LS and installed HID. The standard halogen of other vehicles are no comparasin to the stock headlamps of the outie. The base headlights are spectacular on high it lights up deer off the road much farther than my other vehicles and it is very bright like daytime, like the description of the HID.
 
Even the driving lights are bright enough to drive at night. I feel no need at all to upgrade the stock headlamps. Its fine if it comes with it but in my opinion its not a necessary investment. I have other cars that I drive regularly I can definately tell the difference, the stock outies are much brighter.

This forum is awesome. Thanks for the insight and help.

My next question:
In Japan do the second row seats fold and roll by the push of a button? If so how can we make that happen here in Canada?

Hmm sounds like another item on the "to investigate" list, LOL.

In Europe you have a button in the trunk area you push and the seats both fold up. They also pay around 45,000$ USD for their outlander though. To put one in an outlander that doesnt have it sounds like a big project. You have to put in the thing that releases the seats and wire it up to a button. Then pray that your seats flip forward with out any help at all.

Actually I'd be curious if they use a solenoid to release.  If so, this mod might be easier then we think!
 
Plus, just think of the possibilities - a$$ sitting in the back getting on your nerves?  Push the button and poof, new dental work required.

That could be why it's not offered in North America. Maybe it's already wired to handle it.

This would be a nice to have feature. RAV4, CX7 and others have it. Perhaps Mitsu will put in more features in later and jack up the price accordingly.

Did the HID swap occur?

I was told don't do it, the fitted XLS uses the fogs as the DRL's, the non fitted use the headlight. I was also told the wiring harness isn't rated for straight forward swaps. Something to do with the leather/heated option there is a transformer (?) to correct/boost the voltage which the headlights tap from and lower amperage is drawn so larger wire harnesses were not necessary.

I don't claim to be up to speed on amperage draws on a Halo vs. HID in automobiles.