Get To Know the Mitsubishi Outlander

A red 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is shown from the side parked near an awning after visiting a used Mitsubishi dealership.

With the Outlander launching an all-new generation for the 2022 model year, we can’t think of a better time to take a look at where it’s been. For nearly 20 years, the Mitsubishi Outlander has been a popular option for anyone looking for a great compact crossover SUV with an adventurous spirit that’s clearly been built to go on an adventure. As your used Mitsubishi dealership, we’re committed to helping you and all of our customers find the perfect Outlander model to meet your needs: though you have many options available to you when you’re shopping for a used vehicle.

To help you narrow down your options and see what might work best for you, we thought it would be helpful to go through the generations of Outlander models that led to this point and see what they’ve had to offer. You’ll want to look at the specific details of any model you’re interested in, but we’ll help point out some features to consider as you look at what’s out there. Then all you’ll have to do is find the right combination of options to perfectly meet your needs.

Mitsubishi Outlander – First Generation

Although what we know as the Outlander was released in Japan in 2001, it reached us here in Canada starting with the 2003 model year. You’re not likely to find many of these models still on the road since they’re nearly 20 years old, but it’s a good idea to see where things started. The original Outlander was powered by a 2.4L I-4 engine that offered 140 horsepower (hp) and 157 lb-ft of torque, giving it solid performance and both Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) were available from the beginning.

Features on the Mitsubishi Outlander didn’t change too much at first, so most 2003 and 2004 models are quite similar in terms of what they had to offer. There was a facelift for the 2005 model year, which updated the overall look and feel of the Outlander, though much of its basic functionality remained the same. A 5-speed manual transmission became the standard for 2005, replacing a 4-speed automatic that had been standard, though the automatic remained available. This first generation was a great place to start, though Mitsubishi was quick to update it with a new generation to improve upon what they had established.

A silver 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is shown from the front parked on a corner.

Mitsubishi Outlander – Second Generation

The second generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander kicked off with the 2007 model year and made a number of significant changes to it. Even though it had only been available here in Canada for a few years, it had launched initially in 2001, so this was a well-deserved update. The all-new Outlander in 2007 was based on a new platform shared by numerous models and was also the architecture used for other popular vehicles that year, including the Jeep Compass.

For this new generation, Mitsubishi replaced the previous engine with an improved 3.0L V6 engine that delivers 220 hp and 204 lb-ft of torque. You can see that’s a pretty significant boost over the power that had been available, so we often suggest this generation is as far back as our customers should look. Models from more than a decade ago aren’t too popular at most dealerships, so these can still be tricky to find. With this generation, 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) became standard on most models, only the starting trim retained FWD as the standard option, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

16-inch wheels were standard on the starting trim, though higher trims featured 18-inch wheels and numerous options available inside and out. Air conditioning, power locks with keyless entry, and cruise control were standard, with higher trims featuring automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Bluetooth connectivity (remember, this was a 2007 model). Overall, the update to a new generation was excellent and proved very popular.

In 2008, a second engine became available: a 2.4L 4-cylinder with 168 hp that offered a more budget-friendly option for drivers. The Outlander received an update and redesign for the 2010 model year, including a more powerful version of the V6 engine to boost performance. Higher trims also received Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) for superior traction in rough conditions, making this a great option for going off-road or dealing with rough winter weather. There were also extensive updates for the exterior of the 2010 model, which helped keep the Outlander fresh since the next generation was still several years away.

Mitsubishi Outlander – Third Generation

The third generation of the Outlander launched for the 2014 model year, bringing about a full redesign and a wide array of exciting new features and options. Two engine options remained: a 2.4L 4-cylinder that offered 166 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque or a 3.0L V6 that delivered 224 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. The starting engine came with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), while the more-powerful V6 was paired with a 6-speed automatic. The starting trim came with AWD as an option, though it was standard on all other trims.

There were numerous trims available for this new generation, including the starting ES, the SE, and the GT. Standard options on the ES included numerous airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch wheels, and cloth seating. A leather-wrapped steering wheel was standard, along with automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, and cruise control. The SE trim included numerous upgrades such as the more powerful engine and Intelligent keyless entry. With the GT trim, you’ll find S-AWC standard, along with 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather seating, and much more.

There were a few updates the following year, but a significant facelift came with the 2016 model year, which included a restyled exterior and interior. Heated seating became standard on all models, with higher trims offering dual-zone climate controls and even a 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system. Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was added in 2017, so keep that in mind if you want a used model with great media options, while FWD was eliminated in 2018 as all models came with AWD.

A brown 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is shown from the rear driving up a mountain road.

Mitsubishi Outlander – Fourth Generation

For the 2022 model year, Mitsubishi has launched an all-new fourth-generation Outlander model with an impressive number of updates and improvements from the previous generation. It’s been built on a new platform and includes a new range of options that we haven’t seen before. A 2.5L I-4 engine is now standard on all models, offering 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, which comes paired with a CVT. This is particularly noteworthy since it means if you want an Outlander with a more-powerful V6 engine, then you’ll either need to wait for one to be introduced to this new generation, or look for a used model from previous years.

You’re not going to find a lot of 2022 Outlander models when you look at SUVs for sale in the used category, at least not yet, though some will start to become available as leases end or other issues arise for drivers. All 2022 models feature S-AWC for impressive traction and control, and they have great features like standard 18-inch wheels and impressive safety systems like a Forward Collision Mitigation System, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, all standard. Other impressive features of this new generation include a standard 20 cm Infotainment display, with a 22.8 cm screen available, along with an available 31 cm digital driver screen. As these models show up more frequently in pre-owned inventories, you’ll have even more great options for finding the right Outlander with everything you need.