The Outlander heralded Mitsubishi's entry into the compact SUV market in 2003 and has undergone significant changes in the subsequent decades. Not to be confused with the smaller Outlander Sport, this model stood out from other SUVs in its class by offering a third row of passenger seating and, at times, its unique styling. It never really challenged top rivals such as the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4 for class dominance, held back in part by Mitsubishi's limited dealer network.
Over its lifetime, the Mitsubishi Outlander also fell short of the mark set by class-leading SUVs, but found its audience by offering more affordable models and some rather dubious subprime financing. The new millennium also brought some instability to the brand, with partnerships and controlling stakes held by Daimler-Chrysler and, more recently, Nissan. This pushed Mitsubishi into second-tier automaker status, surpassed by Korean brands Hyundai and Kia by a noticeable margin.
Mitsubishi Outlander Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Mitsubishi Outlander Pros and Cons
- Mitsubishi Outlander generations
- Fourth generation (2022 - present)
- Third generation (2014 - 2021)
- Second generation (2007 - 2013)
- First generation (2004 - 2016)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years are the best?
The current fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander is easily the best. It's also offered as a plug-in hybrid, and both models benefit greatly from contemporary technology, safety, and engineering. With help from Nissan, this Outlander has a lot of the features you'd expect, but remains an also-ran among stronger SUVs.
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years are the worst?
We suggest avoiding the first-generation Outlander, which ran from 2003 to 2006. In addition to an anemic four-cylinder engine, it was also plagued with some rather alarming recalls and outdated brakes. By today's standards, it's primitive, and even when it was new, it trailed the competition.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander a good deal?
If you're looking for a current-generation Outlander SUV on the used market, you could save a little bit of cash compared to what you’d spend on an equivalent Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Unfortunately, that's because the Mitsubishi depreciates faster, so you'll likely have to settle for less when you sell it. You could also save some money if you buy a new model, but Mitsubishi's limited dealer network and uncertain future should also be considered.
Mitsubishi Outlander Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Third-row seating availability
- Available all-wheel drive
- Strong warranties
Cons:
- Weak performance from four-cylinder models
- Not as polished or refined as contemporaries
- Accelerated depreciation
Mitsubishi Outlander generations
Fourth generation (2022 - present)
The current Mitsubishi Outlander debuted as a 2022 model that stood out from the rest of the compact SUV class by offering a third row of seats as standard. The new car was also a departure from the previous generation, as it was built on a platform shared with the Nissan Rogue, introduced a year earlier.
From the outside, there was barely a trace of its Nissan origins, as the Outlander had a more substantial presence. The front was upright and blocky, with thin LED accent lights where the headlights would usually go, and large cutouts in the corners below where the actual headlights reside. The Outlander's body panels were restyled, giving it a brawnier appearance than the Nissan or the previous Outlander.
The Outlander's interior was also unique, though there were some similarities to the Nissan Rogue’s, particularly its dashboard displays, steering wheel, and some switches. The front seats were a similar shape to the Rogue's, but the upholstery and styling were different. Compared with the third-generation model, this Outlander was noticeably more modern, with a thinner, more horizontally dashboard design, along with a larger infotainment touchscreen and available digital instrument panel on top. The Outlander's twin third-row seats were notably small and suitable only for children. Even with the limited space, those seven seats proved convenient for school carpools and short trips.
All Outlanders came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with specs of 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sent power to the front wheels (FWD), and all-wheel-drive (AWD) was offered as an option. Mitsubishi calls it Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, and it was included on the higher trims as standard.
Performance was nothing to write home about, as the Outlander needed almost 10 seconds to hit 60 mph, and it was noticeably slower than most rivals, which beat the Outlander by two seconds or so. On a typical commute, it performed adequately, favoring a comfortable ride quality instead of sporty handling. That said, the Outlander didn't feel out of sorts on a twisty mountain road. The cabin also remained pleasantly quiet for the most part, though the engine was rather loud when it was taxed (which was often).
In its inaugural year, the fourth-generation Outlander was available in ES, SE, and SEL trim levels. There were also Launch Edition models for the SE and SEL for 2022 only. Standard feature highlights for the base ES trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone integration. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, reverse automatic braking, and rear parking sensors.
The SE upgraded to 20-inch wheels and added remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, a hands-free power liftgate, heated mirrors, keyless entry, heated front seats, faux-leather seat upholstery, a nine-inch touchscreen, a native navigation system, a wireless charging pad, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, among other items. The top SEL trim added the likes of power-folding mirrors, roof rails, a digital instrument panel, separate climate controls for rear seats, leather seats, and heated rear seats. Options included a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and a premium Bose audio system.
The 2023 Outlander lineup expanded to include a plug-in hybrid model and a Ralliart, Black Edition, and 40th Anniversary trims. The Ralliart Edition added exclusive exterior graphics, mud flaps, and a rear roof spoiler, while the Black Edition added a dark aesthetic to the wheels, trim elements, and interior headliner. The 2024 Outlander kept the SE Black Edition and added a new top SEL Platinum Edition trim with a two-tone paint scheme and unique interior colors and materials.
In 2025, Mitsubishi gave the Outlander a very light styling refresh, a reorganized center console, a new suspension tuning that promised a smoother ride, additional sound insulation, and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The EPA estimated the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Outlander at 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 27 mpg in combined driving. Adding all-wheel drive drops those figures only slightly to 24/30 mpg city/highway and 26 mpg combined. These figures fell short of the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 by about three mpg.
Crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) resulted in a five-out-of-five-star rating for side impact tests, and four stars for overall, frontal, and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was more generous with its ranking, awarding the Outlander its highest score of "Good" in all evaluations and naming it a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest honor, though in 2023 it was downgraded to a second-best Top Safety Pick.
In the initial 2022 model year, recalls were issued for the Outlander's fuel pump, roof pillar weld, rearview camera, and child restraint belts. All were corrected that year, except for the rearview camera, which was addressed in 2023. This relatively trouble-free track record and a generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty helped to keep Outlander prices strong on the used market, typically losing about 33 percent of its original value over three years. By comparison, the Honda CR-V holds an advantage of only a few percentage points.
Considering the fourth-generation Outlander's parts and technology sharing with Nissan, it could entice some shoppers to consider it over past models or competing brands. One thing to keep in mind is that Mitsubishi's dealer network is between a quarter and a third the size of that of brands such as Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. That could complicate matters when you need scheduled maintenance or unexpected repairs. Even though the Outlander shares a lot of components Nissan, it cannot be serviced at a Nissan dealership. Taking into account Mitsubishi's unsteady footing in the U.S., this could give some shoppers pause for thought.
Third generation (2014 - 2021)
The third-generation Mitsubishi Outlander debuted in the 2014 model year, and unlike its predecessors, it looked more like a conventional compact SUV. For a good chunk of its past, the Outlander adopted styling cues from Mitsubishi's Lancer and Lancer Evolution sedans, giving it a uniquely sporty personality in an otherwise conservative SUV class.
The Outlander's initial styling had rounded corners and somewhat awkward frontal design elements that drew unflattering comparisons to the "Grumpy Cat" online meme of the time. It seems as though Mitsubishi acknowledged the misstep and, a mere two years later, the exterior underwent a complete makeover. With a bold converging grille and significantly sharper design language all around, the styling overhaul got back to the Outlander's sporty past, even though the Lancer was only a memory by then. The interior was far less polarizing, and remained that way for the entire generation.
The 2014 Outlander was offered in three trim levels. The ES and the SE were both powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 166 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sent power to the front wheels, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was available as an option with the SE. The top GT trim was upgraded to a 3.0-liter V6 engine that was good for 224hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was standard.
The base four-cylinder was noticeably underpowered for the size and weight of the Outlander, requiring over nine seconds to reach 60 mph. In the process, the engine and CVT combination resulted in a loud and unrefined droning that made it feel even slower. The V6 was a better choice, and almost two seconds quicker to 60 mph. Neither were particularly sporty on a twisty road, but proved adequately poised.
The base ES trim’s standard features included 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, and twin third-row seats. The SE graduated to 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, Bluetooth, voice commands, a six-inch infotainment touchscreen, a rearview camera, and an upgraded audio system with an iPod interface. In addition to the V6 engine, the GT trim also added xenon headlights, automatic wipers, and satellite radio. Options included a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather seats, a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, a seven-inch touchscreen, and a rear entertainment system. Shoppers could also add forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rear parking sensors, and remote ignition.
For 2015, those voice commands and Bluetooth were included as standard equipment. In addition to the major styling refresh in 2016, the Outlander also gained standard alloy wheels, upgraded LED exterior lighting, and a new navigation system. A new midrange SEL trim also debuted with black exterior trim elements and leather seat upholstery. More in the way of standard features arrived in 2017, including the six-inch touchscreen and rearview camera on all models. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were added to the SE trim, which likely led to the discontinuation of the optional navigation system. Power folding mirrors and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert were added to the GT trim, along with an optional heated steering wheel and a surround-view camera system. The ES trim was also eligible for AWD as an option.
The 2018 Outlander added an LE trim between the SE and SEL models. It included the black accents and added the blind-spot monitor. The base ES also upgraded to the seven-inch touchscreen, and the GT's surround-view camera system and heated steering wheel were also standard. In 2019, the Outlander received a very slight styling update, plus a retuned suspension for a smoother ride and additional sound insulation for a quieter cabin. Rear-seat passengers also gained air vents.
The third-generation Outlander bowed out in 2020, although the plug-in hybrid continued for another year. That year added an SP trim between the LE and SEL models, with roof rails, power-folding mirrors, a sunroof, and a blind-spot warning. All but the base ES trim received a standard eight-inch touchscreen.
The EPA estimated the four-cylinder front-drive Outlander at 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg in combined driving. Adding AWD dropped those estimates by one mpg across the board. The V6 with AWD was rated at 20/27 mpg city/highway, and 22 mpg combined. These estimates are about average for SUVs of this era.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the third-generation Outlander with AWD a five-out-of-five-star rating in overall and side impact tests, and four stars for frontal and rollover protection. The front-wheel drive (FWD) model received four stars in overall ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Outlander its highest score of "Good" in all evaluations and named it a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest honor, though in 2018 it was downgraded to a second-best Top Safety Pick.
In its initial 2016 launch, the Outlander was issued recalls for the suspension, engine stalls, door latches, parking brake, wipers, and liftgate. It was also recalled for its seat belt buckles, which persisted for much of the production run. In later years, recalls were also issued for the frontal collision warning, overall safety systems, and engine stalling problems, and the rear seat assembly. These recalls likely contributed to the third-generation Outlander's below-average value retention over the years, along with its mid-pack ranking among other compact SUVs of the time.
Second generation (2007 - 2013)
The second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander went on sale in 2007 and started life as a rather generic-looking SUV. It overlapped with a period when Daimler-Chrysler held a controlling stake, and as a result, the Outlander shared platforms with the unremarkable Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber of the time. Inside, it was a carbon copy of Mitsubishi's Lancer sedan, offering a sportier cockpit than that of rivals. The cabin was awash in hard plastics, which were common at the time, but flimsier than those of rivals. This Outlander also featured a handy split tailgate that made loading bulky objects easier and provided a convenient place to sit while stationary.
In its inaugural year, the second-gen was offered in Outlander ES, LS, and XLS trims. All models were powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produced 220 horsepower and 204 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose from front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). On the road, it earned praise for its relatively sporty handling that didn't come at the expense of comfort.
For 2008, a more affordable four-cylinder model was introduced. Its 2.4-liter engine produced 168hp and was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It was available with the base ES and a new SE trim (which replaced the LS trim a year later). There were fewer changes in 2009, with updates to the navigation system, making a rearview camera standard on the top trim, and extending third-row seat availability to more models.
A turning point for the Outlander came in 2010, courtesy of a major redesign that echoed the racy Lancer sedan. Behind its large trapezoidal grille, the V6 engine's output was increased to 230hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. A new GT trim also improved performance with a more advanced AWD system. The interior remained largely the same as before, but the instrument panel gained a new LCD information display, real-time traffic was added to the navigation system, and voice commands for audio and phone features debuted. Later model years saw little in the way of change. In 2012, the rearview camera display moved to the rearview mirror, and trim levels were reduced to ES, SE, and GT.
Initially, the front-drive Outlander's V6 was estimated to return 17 mpg city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg in combined miles. AWD dropped those estimates to 17/23 mpg city/highway, and 19 mpg combined. When the four-cylinder was added, it was rated at 20/25 mpg city/highway and 22 mpg combined, while AWD reduced it to 20/25 mpg city/highway and 22 mpg combined. In 2010, those estimates increased due to a change in the way the EPA calculated fuel consumption, resulting in a combined driving estimate of 24 mpg for the front-drive four-cylinder and 22 mpg with AWD. The V6s also increased to 21 mpg combined and 20 mpg combined for AWD.
The second-generation Outlander benefited from excellent safety scores, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarding five out of five stars across all crash tests and four stars in rollover evaluations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Outlander its highest "Good" score in all tests except for roof strength, where it earned a second-best "Acceptable" mark. For the 2012 model year, NHTSA downgraded its scores to four stars.
This generation included recalls for its sunroof, windshield wipers, engine drive belt, suspension arm corrosion, brake lights, transmission and steering leaks, seatbelt tensioner, and a wiring harness for the seats. These issues persisted throughout the production run, and also expanded to include recalls related to the parking brake and liftgate struts. These continuing problems may have contributed to the Outlander's less-than desirable value retention, as it depreciated at a quicker rate than top rivals.
First generation (2003 - 2006)
The first Mitsubishi Outlander debuted in 2003 with an unusual split grille that drew inspiration from the Lancer and Galant sedans, albeit with a blockier style. The Outlander borrowed the Galant's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced a paltry 140 horsepower and 157 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed transmission didn't help matters. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option.
It may sound antiquated now, but the Outlander was originally offered with rear drum brakes, with anti-lock brakes offered at additional cost. This was common for other vehicles at the time. In its first year, it was available in LS and XLS trims, with the latter adding features that included a roof racks, alloy wheels, unique gauges, and leather-wrapped steering wheels and shifters. A sunroof and audio upgrade were options.
In its sophomore year, some of the Outlander's power deficit was addressed with a boost to 160hp. In 2005, things got more affordable (and perhaps racier) with an available manual transmission on the base trim. Thankfully, disc brakes became standard that year, too, along with airbags. A new Limited trim level also topped the lineup, offering leather seat upholstery among other luxuries. Changes were light for 2006, with the XLS trim renamed LE. Side airbags and antilock brakes were also made standard for all models.
Fuel economy estimates ranged from 20 to 21 mpg combined for the front- and AWD models, respectively. The manual transmission edged up to 22 mpg combined. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the Outlander was awarded four out of five stars and three stars in rollover tests. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, it earned the top "Good" score in frontal collisions, but the lowest score of "Poor" in side impacts.
The most serious recalls involved a possible stuck throttle, while less alarming issues were limited to safety-related electrical issues and trailer hitch wiring. These were addressed about halfway through the production run, but a recall for suspension component corrosion persisted. Not surprisingly, Outlanders of this era depreciated at a quicker rate than rival SUVs.
