Mitsubishi outlander plans to introduce new products to its lineup in the US every year until 2030, despite concerns from many of my business colleagues about the Japanese company. More people should be aware of Mitsubishi’s environmentally friendly products. Even more so now that the cheapest and most fuel-efficient three-row SUV is on its way. Mitsubishi’s most significant update for the upcoming model year is the debut of a completely new mild hybrid engine in the 2026 Outlander. This is a first for the brand. Since it only had 181 horsepower, I didn’t miss much when I drove anything with that car’s 2.5-liter, four-cylinder MIVEC engine. The SUV will now have a mild hybrid system and a 1.5-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Details such as power, price, and fuel economy are still being finalized. According to a Mitsubishi press release, the new powertrain is designed to enhance confidence and driving performance by using electrified torque to improve acceleration from a standstill. Not only is it priced fairly for its class, but it also looks pretty good. A 2025 Outlander S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) with a 10-year, 100,000-mile guarantee costs $31,795 at the start. Please don’t put off buying the new car because it gets better and costs more. The separate 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (the plug-in hybrid starts at $40,445 with all-wheel drive) will feature a larger battery, increasing its all-electric range. To make the ride smoother and the driving feel better, the dampers, springs, stabilizer bars, and bushings have all been changed. Also, some of the same 2025 feature improvements will be made to the PHEV as to the regular Outlander. This one has a bigger screen that you can choose to add, music from Yamaha, better soundproofing, heated and cooled front seats, and other new features inside (storage, cupholders, etc.). The Outlander Sport will remain in production until 2026, and the Eclipse Cross will receive some minor aesthetic updates. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Sport will also come in Trail Editions. These will have “model-specific graphic and trim packages, dedicated wheels, dealer-available off-highway-focused tires and accessory kits, and Thule roof racks and mounts.” A small bundle represents almost anything, but it’s a lazy way to do things. Mitsubishi has a history of putting loud sticker sets on their cars, allowing the graphics package to be fun. Putting laughs aside, it would be cool to see a new mild hybrid Outlander. When you drive, PHEVs are great if you spend most of your time close to home. It is best to take a light hybrid on longer trips and vacations. The Outlander is a brand-new, all-wheel-drive, seven-seat SUV that costs approximately $35,000, provided you’re not concerned about the modest power output. That’s not like that in 2025! The new Outlander AWD achieves a fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, with 24 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. It will be a compelling product even if it doesn’t have real low-range or extreme off-road capability, as long as the new turboelectric hybrid engine improves it and addresses some of the car’s issues. Although Mitsubishi’s records may not be as strong as they were in the 1990s, I wouldn’t give up on them just yet.
