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- |
| Gasoline 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 stage evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly 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 gasoline economic system: N/A
Driving combine: 50% metropolis, 50% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 26/30/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common gasoline
Base value: $40,845 (not together with $1795 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($995), Premium Bundle ($3050), Tonneau Cowl ($240), grille paint-protection movie ($115)
Value as examined: $47,060
Audio-System Model
Yamaha
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy, well-appointed cabin
The great: subtle experience and dealing with stability
The not so good: Down on energy, not straightforward to search out in some markets
Assessment
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, nevertheless 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 have been effectively stocked with midsize automobiles, sporty coupes and convertibles, a midsize pickup truck, and a midsize crossover.
Discuss to Mitsubishi advertising veterans off the file, and they’re going to let you know 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
At this time Mitsubishi retails three small crossovers within the States—two of that are too shut in measurement and value—and as famous above, doesn’t fairly cowl the nation with its vendor community. However whereas this all could sound just a little 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’re about to listen to extra about this largely forgotten import model—and for all the suitable causes.
Mitsubishi’s present lineup appears 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 attraction, shopper actually solely have a single alternative: Outlander.
And whereas there may be the promise of recent product from this long-dormant Japanese model, together with an electrical crossover based mostly on the Nissan Leaf dubbed Eclipse Sportback, we’d prefer to counsel that the criminally neglected Outlander belongs in your compact crossover test-drive record.
2026 Outlander
Inbuilt cooperation with Nissan, and based mostly on that maker’s wonderful Rogue compact crossover, the Outlander could also be one of many best-kept secrets and techniques on this extremely aggressive section.
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 provide 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 customary front-wheel drive, with AWD supplied as a $2200 possibility.
Whereas trims typically ascend in content material and stage 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, aspect protectors, and bumper nook protectors.
Check Automotive
Client Information just lately spent a while behind the wheel of an AWD 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL in Moonstone Grey. Together with the Premium Bundle and vacation spot cost, our well-equipped take a look at 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. Due to a comparatively low experience peak, and enormous door openings, coming into and exiting the Outlander is a straightforward course of.
Cabin Appointments and Connectivity
And whereas we’ve all the time 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 elegant, lined with premium wanting—and feeling—supplies, and apparently effectively screwed collectively.
Touchscreen and infotainment engagement is predictably like that of the Rogue, which is generally an excellent factor. We discovered the display straightforward to learn, menus predictable, and the system fast to reply to contact inputs.
We have been pleasantly shocked by the 12-speaker Yamaha-brand sound system present in our take a look at automobile. Included on SEL with the accessible Premium Bundle, the improve sound system replaces an 8-speaker Yamaha outfit, and sounds clear and wealthy. People critical about their music will wish to spend money on the 12-speaker possibility.
Energy and Efficiency
Surprisingly, the Rogue and Outlander should not completely 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 poor is palpable, and whereas the Nissan is borderline sprightly in around-town driving, the Mitsubishi can really feel sluggish in sure driving environments.
Gasoline Financial system
Sadly, our analysis of the Outlander didn’t embody adequate freeway driving for a good mileage comparability between it and the Rogue, nevertheless, 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 highway. The Outlander rides and handles like a premium automobile, and inside noise ranges are stored effectively beneath class common. The Mitsubishi scores massive factors for long-trip consolation, and would make a effective small-family trip experience.
Worth
In easiest phrases, the Outlander is a Rogue with a nicer cabin, however much less energy. And, in the event you dwell in a state the place entry to a Mitsubishi vendor isn’t a problem—and to be honest, that’s most states—we significantly counsel you’re taking Mitsubishi’s largest and most comfy providing out for a take a look at drive. Sure, the corporate guarantees extra product is on the way in which, however why wait? The Outlander is the business’s best-kept small-crossover secret.
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2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL Photos
(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)