Hi,
the Outlander Equipe does not come with 7 seats, and as the third row seats are pretty small they would only be suitable for kids or adults ona short trip. So you would gain by less weight. I have test driven the 2.0 diesel (VW unit) and it is not as bad as the press would have you belive. In October What Car the Passat gets a roasting for its engine, but that is only because the Ford (PSA) 2.0 is such a smooth unit. On the Outlander the VW 2.0 unit goes well and is more economic and a couple of tax groups lower too.