Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL AWD
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of manufacture: Japan
Seating capability: 5
Shade: Moonstone Grey
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | C |
| Match and End | A- |
| Gas Financial system | B |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 174-horsepower 1.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | CVT computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Pushed: 88
Noticed gas financial system: N/A
Driving combine: 50% metropolis, 50% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 26/30/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $40,845 (not together with $1795 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($995), Premium Package deal ($3050), Tonneau Cowl ($240), grille paint-protection movie ($115)
Value as examined: $47,060
Audio-System Model
Yamaha
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy, well-appointed cabin
The nice: subtle trip and dealing with steadiness
The not so good: Down on energy, not straightforward to search out in some markets
Overview
Query: What do Mitsubishi and Tesla have in widespread? Reply: Neither carmaker has a dealership in Alaska, Montanna, Nebraska, or Wyoming. Make of this what you’ll, however it’s been a very long time since Mitsubishi ran radio advertisements boasting about being the fastest-growing automobile model within the America.
Mitsubishi in America
Not too way back, Mitsubishi shops had been nicely stocked with midsize vehicles, sporty coupes and convertibles, a midsize pickup truck, and a midsize crossover.
Discuss to Mitsubishi advertising and marketing veterans off the file, and they’ll inform you that the Japanese carmaker’s company dalliance with Daimler-Benz early this century proved ruinous, choking off product-development capital, and an unintentional repositioning of Mitsubishi and as 2nd-tier “worth” model.
2026 Mitsubishi Lineup
Immediately Mitsubishi retails three small crossovers within the States—two of that are too shut in dimension and worth—and as famous above, doesn’t fairly cowl the nation with its supplier community. However whereas this all could sound a bit miserable, there’s additionally some excellent news: Mitsu’s midsize crossover—the Outlander—is excellent, and, a bit like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, you might be about to listen to extra about this largely forgotten import model—and for all the appropriate causes.
Mitsubishi’s present lineup appears to be like like this:
Outlander Sport – Subcompact Crossover
Value Vary: $26,740-$31,655
Final redesigned: 2011
Eclipse Cross – Subcompact Crossover
Value Vary: $29,440-$33,590
Final redesigned: 2022 (refresh)
Outlander – Compact Crossover
Value Vary $32,205–$47,190
Final redesigned: 2025 (refresh)
That’s three fashions with beginning costs inside $5500 of one another. Whereas this appears to cap the model’s enchantment, shopper actually solely have a single selection: Outlander.
And whereas there may be the promise of contemporary product from this long-dormant Japanese model, together with an electrical crossover primarily based on the Nissan Leaf dubbed Eclipse Sportback, we’d prefer to counsel that the criminally ignored Outlander belongs in your compact crossover test-drive record.
2026 Outlander
In-built cooperation with Nissan, and primarily based on that maker’s glorious Rogue compact crossover, the Outlander could also be one of many best-kept secrets and techniques on this extremely aggressive phase.
Outlander Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, the Outlander is obtainable in seven trim ranges:
- ES ($32,205)
- LE ($34,555)
- SE ($36,690)
- SEL ($41,390)
- Ralliart ($41,975)
- Path Version ($41,990)
- SEL Black Version ($45,390)
Ralliart and Path Version
First, sure Mitsubishi actually does supply the Outlander in each ES and SE trim ranges, and it’s complicated as hell.
Second, the Ralliart and Path Version come solely with AWD. Different trim ranges include commonplace front-wheel drive, with AWD supplied as a $2200 choice.
Whereas trims typically ascend in content material and degree of luxurious, two Outlander fashions boast distinctive profiles. The Ralliart hues to a sporty theme, with distinctive grille and exterior options, black alloy wheels, and distinctive cabin accents.
The off-road themed Path Version sports activities “basket-weave” black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, and rugged bits together with mud flaps, entrance skid “garnish,” rear protector, fender protectors, facet protectors, and bumper nook protectors.
Check Automobile
Shopper Information not too long ago spent a while behind the wheel of an AWD 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL in Moonstone Grey. Together with the Premium Package deal and vacation spot cost, our well-equipped check automobile got here to $47,060.
Room and Consolation
Like its Nissan cousin, the Outlander boasts loads of cabin area, making it deal for households with rising children. There’s ample large-adult area within the entrance row, and class-leading 2nd-row head, knee, and legroom. Because of a comparatively low trip peak, and huge door openings, getting into and exiting the Outlander is an easy course of.
Cabin Appointments and Connectivity
And whereas we’ve at all times been a fan of the Rogue’s premium-feeling cabin, particularly in higher trim ranges, we predict the Outlander in SEL guise is the extra premium feeling crossover of the 2. The cabin is stylish, lined with premium wanting—and feeling—supplies, and apparently nicely screwed collectively.
Touchscreen and infotainment engagement is predictably like that of the Rogue, which is generally a superb factor. We discovered the display straightforward to learn, menus predictable, and the system fast to answer contact inputs.
We had been pleasantly stunned by the 12-speaker Yamaha-brand sound system present in our check automobile. Included on SEL with the accessible Premium Package deal, the improve sound system replaces an 8-speaker Yamaha outfit, and sounds clear and wealthy. Of us severe about their music will need to spend money on the 12-speaker choice.
Energy and Efficiency
Surprisingly, the Rogue and Outlander should not totally clones, and differ significantly below the hood. Whereas each crossovers are supplied with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine mated to a CVT-style computerized transmission, the engines themselves are distinctive to every producer.
The Rogue unit is a 3-cylinder mill rated at 201 horsepower, whereas the Outlander’s 4-cylinder engine generates simply 174 horsepower. The Outlander’s energy deficit is palpable, and whereas the Nissan is borderline sprightly in around-town driving, the Mitsubishi can really feel sluggish in sure driving environments.
Gas Financial system
Sadly, our analysis of the Outlander didn’t embrace ample freeway driving for a good mileage comparability between it and the Rogue, nonetheless, EPA mixed estimates are considerably larger (31 mpg versus 27 mpg) for a Rogue with AWD than the equally outfitted Outlander.
Journey and Dealing with
The competitors between the 2 automobiles tightens again up on the street. The Outlander rides and handles like a premium car, and inside noise ranges are stored nicely beneath class common. The Mitsubishi scores massive factors for long-trip consolation, and would make a tremendous small-family trip trip.
Worth
In easiest phrases, the Outlander is a Rogue with a nicer cabin, however much less energy. And, for those who stay in a state the place entry to a Mitsubishi supplier isn’t a difficulty—and to be honest, that’s most states—we significantly counsel you are taking Mitsubishi’s largest and most snug providing out for a check drive. Sure, the corporate guarantees extra product is on the best way, however why wait? The Outlander is the trade’s best-kept small-crossover secret.
Take heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL Photos
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
