2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s Outlander has been around for 25 years, the fourth-generation SUV released in 2021 as a 2022 model. It won the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Best Mid-Sized SUV Award in 2023. The 7-seat, three-row Outlander is based on the same platform as Nissan’s 5-seat Rogue, courtesy of the company joining an alliance with Nissan and Renault. The Outlander is only a couple of inches longer than the Rogue and the two share the same 2,706-mm wheelbase. The Outlander PHEV arrived in Canada in 2017 and was the first plug-in hybrid SUV in the country.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Competitors

Depending on your point of view, the Outlander is either a large compact or a small mid-sized SUV. Therefore, it’s a crowded segment, with primary competition coming from the likes of such two-row models as the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, etc., as well as the three-row Kia Sorento.

What's new with the Mitsubishi Outlander for 2026?

The mid-cycle refresh debuted on the 2025 Outlander gas model, while the 2026 Outlander PHEV sees a redesigned interior.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Performance

Replacing last year’s 2.5L engine, the 2026 Outlander is equipped with a Mitsubishi-developed turbo 1.5L 4-cylinder engine combined with a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) for improved torque and efficiency. It delivers 174 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, with electric torque assisting off-the-line acceleration.

In comparing the gas model with the PHEV, David Booth says that, thanks to the copious amount of torque from the two electric motors — 332 pound-feet between them — “the PHEV has a little more jump off the line, and perhaps even more passing power. Also, its gas engine doesn’t have to work too hard because the electric motors have its back. It’s no rocket ship to be sure, but no slouch either, which, I suspect, is exactly what you want in a people-mover.”

In her evaluation of the 2025 gas model, Stephanie Wallcraft commented on the SUV’s ride and handling characteristics: “One reason the Outlander gets mistaken for a mid-size SUV is that it feels bigger than it is from behind the wheel, and the 2025 updates haven’t changed that. That’s neither a good thing nor a bad thing. Some people like an SUV that feels larger and more substantial as opposed to smaller and spritely. If you fall in the former camp, the Outlander may suit you.

That said, the updated suspension feels noticeably firmer, and there’s less lateral body roll than in previous model years. This comes with some trade-offs, though: it does have more tendency to lightly crash over bumps and potholes. There’s also a notable front-to-back pitchiness to it, including some rebound on stops. This could be due in part to the new steel hood and front fenders and their added weight.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Efficiency

NRCan rates the gasoline-powered turbo 1.5L Outlander’s fuel economy at 9.4 L/100 km in the city, 7.8 L/100 km on the highway and 8.7 L/100 km combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,610.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Safety

This generation of Outlander has yet to be evaluated for crashworthiness by either NHTSA or the IIHS. The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander’s standard safety features include forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking and driver attention alert. 

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability

Consumer Reports expects the Outlander will have about average reliability, this prediction based on limited data from 2023 and 2024 models, plus the Mitsubishi brand scores.

According to Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive for the 2026 Outlander, with 75 per cent recommending the vehicle. Consumers found the vehicle's styling and reliability to be its strongest features and performance to be its weakest.

RepairPal thinks the 2026 model will have average to above-average reliability, giving it a 4/5 rating and ranking it 15 out of 29 compact SUVs. The SUV comes with a 5-year/100,000 km basic warranty.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Interior

After evaluating the 2025 Outlander GT, Wallcraft had much to say about the SUV’s cabin: “Heated front seats are standard, while the new ventilated front seats come in at the SEL grade. Second-row seating is spacious with legroom being adjustable along with the seat angles. A 40-20-40 split offers fold-down cup holders as well as a way to comfortably transport longer items. Heated outboard second-row seats are standard from the SEL. There are also some handy pockets stitched onto the front-row seatbacks, including smartphone and tablet-sized openings.

“As for the third row, with a scant 475 mm of legroom and 876 mm of headroom, even children will find this space extremely tight. It’s also not easy to get into, and the headrests need to be removed when the seats aren’t in use as they severely impact rearward visibility… The Outlander is not a practical choice for drivers who need a third row regularly. Some drivers may be glad to have it in a pinch, while others will never use it at all and wish for more cargo space instead.”

Speaking of which, the 2026 Outlander PHEV has 308 litres of cargo room behind the third row, 866 litres with the third row folded, and up to 1,822 litres with the second- and third-row seats stowed.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Canadian Pricing

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in six trim levels for the gasoline edition. The entry-level ES S-AWC model starts at $36,398, followed by the SE S-AWC trim at $39,098. The LE S-AWC has an MSRP of $42,198, while the SEL S-AWC goes for $44,898. The GT S-AWC has a sticker of $47,398; the highest trim GT Premium S-AWC, which features premium leather, head-up display and advanced sound systems, tops out at $48,398.