What is the Outlander?
When the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander debuted in 2021, it breathed fresh life into the brand's stale lineup of hatchbacks and crossover SUVs. Now pushing on into its third model year, we don't expect any major changes to this three-row compact crossover SUV for 2024.
Thanks to its platform sharing with the Nissan Rogue, the Outlander provides a modern SUV experience. Its exterior design is more playful than the Nissan's with sharper edges and unique lighting elements. Inside, the Outlander has seating for seven and a decent list of available luxury features. We appreciate the diamond-stitched leather on the SEL Premium trim, along with other luxuries like heated and ventilated front seats. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 181 horsepower for all trim levels, and the Outlander achieves a respectable EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined. Without any turbocharging, the engine can feel a bit sluggish at times, and it's down on power compared to some of its main rivals. Fortunately, Mitsubishi does offer all-wheel drive on some trim levels to make the SUV more off-road-ready if needed.
The Outlander has a long list of stiff competition, including the aforementioned Rogue. Kia has a fantastic three-row option with the Sorento, and the Toyota Highlander also stacks up nicely. The Outlander is also available as a plug-in hybrid, which we review separately.