- The facelifted Mitsubishi Outlander was spotted in Japan, ahead of its debut this fall.
- The SUV sports minor visual updates on the exterior, but will gain a improved interior.
- Mitsubishi has confirmed an upgraded PHEV powertrain with a longer EV range.
The Mitsubishi Outlander will receive a mid-lifecycle update this fall, but a lightly camouflaged prototype spotted during development testing in Japan shows what to expect. Changes on the exterior of the SUV are quite limited, but there will be more important changes inside the cabin and under the skin.
The revealing spy shots surfaced online a few weeks after the official teasers, all but confirming that the exterior of the Outlander will remain largely unchanged compared to the fourth generation that has been around since 2021. The European unveiling is scheduled for October 1 in Madrid, but the Japanese-market version could arrive earlier than that.
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Mitsubishi has already shown us the updated LED graphics on the upper headlights, which retain their outer shape. The black tape on the grille hides the revised chrome slats, while the lightly camouflaged lower bumper areas suggest there might be some changes on the trim.
The prototype appears to be finished in the new Moonstone Gray Metallic shade, riding on the new 20-inch alloy wheels. The facelifted Outlander was spotted at the Tomei Expressway on the Japanese island of Honshu. User Sakurauchi Shoji published the photos on X (ex-Twitter), which were then shared by local media Creative Trend.
遂に来た！ビッグマイナーチェンジ版・三菱の新型アウトランダーPHEVの開発車両を初スパイショット！新色＆新意匠20インチホイール採用でリアウィンカーもLEDに | Creative Trend https://t.co/QISvfsA84o#Mitsubishi #NewOutlanderPHEV #アウトランダーPHEV #BMC #テストカー #開発車両
— Creative Trend (@_creative_trend) August 13, 2024
According to Mitsubishi, interior upgrades will include a 12.3-inch infotainment – most likely sourced from the closely related Nissan X-Trail – set to replace the smaller 8-inch and 9-inch units of the outgoing model. The SUV will also gain ventilated semi-aniline leather seats, better-quality materials, and a high-end Yamaha audio system.
More importantly, the automaker confirmed that the mid-lifecycle update will feature the latest generation plug-in hybrid 4×4 powertrain. This will likely offer a higher output compared to the 248 hp (185 kW / 251 PS) predecessor, while a new battery pack will result in a significantly longer electric range. For context, the outgoing model is good for 38 miles (61 km) of zero-emission range. Mitsubishi engineers will also tweak the chassis setup, to improve ride comfort.
We will learn more about the Mitsubishi Outlander in the coming months, as we move closer to its debut. The facelifted model will go on sale in Japan this fall, with the European arm of Mitsubishi confirming the start of production in late 2024. The updated SUV should also become available in the US, where Mitsubishi recently became a crossover-only brand.
