Mitsubishi Outlander

Name: 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander
Brand: Mitsubishi

EPA MPG: 27 mpg

CR's Take

The Outlander is a compact SUV that comes with a tiny third-row seat. For 2026, the only powertrain is a 174-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo mild hybrid that's mated to a CVT. It replaces the sluggish 2.5-liter four-cylinder we tested. Handling is nimble and secure, but the steering is overly light, with an unnaturally quick turn-in response. On the highway, the driver has to make constant corrections to stay in the lane. The ride is stiff as the large wheels crash over potholes, and wind noise is noticeable at highway speeds. Most controls are easy to use, including the infotainment system.

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mitsubishi Outlan...

Mitsubishi Outlander

vs. Similar Cars

Buick Envision

Chevrolet Equinox

Dodge Hornet

Dodge Hornet Plug...

Dodge Hornet Plug-in Hybrid

Ford Escape

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

See All Ratings & Specs

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

See All Ratings & Specs

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Compact SUVs Ratings

In Test

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

$29,995 - $44,845

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Buick Envision

$41,000 - $50,700

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

$28,800 - $35,600

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Dodge Hornet

$29,995 - $41,645

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Dodge Hornet Plug-in Hybrid

$41,645 - $46,990

32 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Ford Escape

$30,350 - $37,210

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Ford Escape Hybrid

$30,350 - $37,210

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

$35,400

37 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 GMC Terrain

$30,200 - $41,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Honda CR-V

$30,920 - $50,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid

$35,630 - $50,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Hyundai Tucson

$29,450 - $40,925

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

$32,450 - $42,075

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid

$40,325 - $48,550

33 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Jeep Compass

$29,355 - $33,750

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Kia Sportage

$28,790 - $39,690

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid

$30,490 - $40,590

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

$40,490 - $47,190

34 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Mazda CX-5

$29,990 - $38,990

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Mazda CX-5

$29,050 - $41,080

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mazda CX-50

$29,900 - $42,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

$34,750 - $40,450

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

$40,445 - $50,445

38 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Nissan Rogue

$29,090 - $38,990

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid

$45,990 - $49,990

38 miles

26 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Subaru Forester

$29,995 - $41,545

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid

$34,730 - $41,545

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Toyota RAV4

$31,900 - $43,300

EPA MPG 41 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Toyota RAV4

$29,800 - $41,155

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

$29,800 - $41,155

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

$41,500 - $48,500

52 miles

41 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

$44,815 - $48,685

42 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

$30,805 - $43,085

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear, 2 third

AWD, Front

1.5-liter 4 turbo (174 hp)

Basic 5 years/60,000 miles
Drivetrain 10 years/100,000 miles
Corrosion 7 years/100,000 miles
Roadside Aid 5 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance 2 years/30,000 miles

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2022-Present

Current Generation

The seven-passenger Outlander is fully redesigned for 2022. It shares its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and much of its underpinnings with the Nissan Rogue, although a small third-row seat is exclusive to the Mitsubishi. Acceleration is leisurely but the continuously variable transmission is responsive, and the Outlander managed 25 mpg overall. Handling is quite nimble and secure but the steering is overly light and nervous. The ride is stiff and wind noise is noticeable. The first two rows of seats are comfortable, but the third row is tiny. Most controls are easy to use, including the infotainment system. The joystick-like electronic gear selector, though, suffers from unintuitive labeling. Standard active safety features include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTW, and LDW. The plug-in hybrid, which has been on the previous generation's platform, has also been redesigned. For 2026, the 2.5-liter engine was replaced with a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo mild hybrid that's mated to a CVT.

2016-2021

2016 Redesign Year

Mitsubishi's small SUV alternates between mediocrity and competitiveness. The original Outlander was powered by a noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which delivered unimpressive acceleration and fuel economy. Handling suffered from overly light steering and pronounced body lean. A 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall. Responsive steering with good driver feedback gave the Outlander a sporty feel. An optional third-row seat was unusual for the class. A 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Emphasizing utility on a budget, the third-row seat became standard. A plug-in hybrid joins the line in 2018. Updates for 2020 included standard forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning on all but the base trim. For 2021, the Outlander only comes as a plug-in hybrid that has been updated to a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with an upgraded electric motor that provides a combined output of 221-hp. It can do a claimed 24-miles on electric power before switching to hybrid mode. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 engines have been dropped. Outdated and outclassed, the Outlander struggles to compete. A tiny third-row seat, that is a high point, is not offered in the plug-in hybrid. When we tested the Outlander with the four-cylinder engine, its ride felt too buoyant and not tied-down. Handling was clumsy, with slow steering response and lots of body lean in corners.

2014-2015

2014 Redesign Year

Emphasizing utility on a budget, the 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Compared to the previous Outlander, this retooled model handles clumsily, tending to lumber through corners feeling like a larger vehicle than it is. The cabin is noisy, the front seats aren't supportive enough, and interior trim looks cheap and feels insubstantial. On the plus side, the third-row seat became standard. Overall though, we see little reason to consider buying the Outlander.

2007-2013

2007 Redesign Year

The 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV with a refined and responsive powertrain. The interior is roomy and offers a tiny third-row seat, which is an unusual option in this category. A backup camera integrated into the navigation system is another welcomed optional feature. Alert steering with good driver feedback gives this edition of the Outlander a sporty feel to accompany its agile handling. However, to accomplish this, ride quality is on the stiff side. Road noise is pronounced too. Fit and finish are also a bit of a let down. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall.

2003-2006

2003 Redesign Year

Over the years, Mitsubishi's small SUV has alternated between mediocrity and competitiveness. As an example, while ride quality is reasonably comfortable, the 2003 version of the Outlander doesn't compete well with the best models in this class. Although it has reasonable passenger space; acceleration, handling, and fuel economy are all unimpressive. However, it should be noted side airbags were made standard for the 2006 model year.