2022 Mitsubishi Outlander: Everything we know about Mitsi's big new SUV

UPDATE, July 2022: Outlander PHEV pricing announced

Australian pricing and details for the Outlander PHEV have now been revealed. Even better, we've also driven it! Get the full story at the links below.

February 15: Standard equipment reduced, prices increased

Mitsubishi announced it would take off some standard features from the MY22.5 Outlander to combat the semiconductor shortage.

Despite the ES, LS and Aspire variants being affected, the range-topping Exceed and Exceed Touring remain unchanged, with increased production costs leading to a price rise of $500 and $1000 for the variants respectively.

January 19: Five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded

Australian crash testing authority ANCAP has given the new Mitsubishi Outlander a five-star rating, praising it for its child protection scores.

Applauded for its results across the board, all four categories tested came back with scores above 80 per cent, one of the highest overall performances for a new car under ANCAP's stringent tests.

Read the full report through the link below.

November 13, 2021: First drive review

It's here. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is now in Australia, and Scott Newman has put the new family hauler through its paces for Wheels.

Read Scott's full review at the link below.

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October 28: new Outlander PHEV confirmed

Mitsubishi Australia has revealed its new 2022 Outlander PHEV, at the same time confirming an Australian launch is imminent.

In the first major update for the Outlander PHEV since its local debut in 2013, Mitsubishi says it will feature a more powerful motor and a larger battery, helping to deliver an increase on the existing model's 60kW front and 70kW rear motors, combining for a total driving range of 56km in electric-only mode.

Initially rolling out in Japan later this year, the Outlander PHEV will arrive in Australian showrooms from the first quarter of 2022.

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August 27: Full pricing and features revealed

Mitsubishi is finally replacing its long-serving Outlander with a new, bigger car and a sizeable uplift in features and safety – and price.

Confirmed today, the local line-up will begin at at $34,490 and rise to $49,990 for the all 2.5-litre petrol line-up.

Prices are up across the range by between $1500 and $4000, depending on the model, but there is a hefty increase in safety specification and a claimed improvement in materials, as well as a general specification uplift.

Get all the details at the link below.

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February 17: Global reveal

Mitsubishi has revealed the fourth-generation Outlander medium SUV during an online event on Amazon Live stream.

Based on the ‘I-Fu-Do-Do’ product concept - which means authentic and majestic in Japanese - the all-new Outlander features bolder styling and plusher interior trim features than the outgoing model, while promising enhanced performance both on and off road.

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The 2022 Outlander’s styling is highlighted by a next-generation 'Dynamic Shield' front fascia that extends into the LED daytime running lights, chunky horizontal lines, big 20-inch wheels and a carved tailgate that’s a nod to the recently-discontinued Pajero’s rear-mounted spare wheel.

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Step inside, and the cabin is clad with soft padding and, in upper-spec variants, stitched leather that provides a premium look and feel.

Mitsubishi says space and comfort has been enhanced by increasing the wheelbase by 25mm to 2705mm, resulting in additional legroom for the first and second row seats.

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In addition, features such as seat heaters, three-zone automatic climate control, and rear window sunshades are also available down back to make the rear seats more comfortable for family members.

Up front there are two types of gauge clusters, also depending on trim level, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument display with customisable views and functions.

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Infotainment is viewed and operated via a 9.0- or 8.0-inch floating touchscreen, again dependent on troim level, with Smartphone-link Display Audio navigation system and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity. A 10.8-inch head-up display (HUD), showing driving and navigation information, will also be available.

Two- or three-row options

The all-new 2021 Outlander will continue to offer a choice of five or seven seats.

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Seats can be flexibly arranged into multiple configurations to suit the number of passengers and their luggage. Second-row seats have a sliding and reclining function, as well as a 40:20:40 split-fold division. They also have a one-touch folding mechanism to simplify access to the third row.

Space for storing objects such as smartphones is provided in the centre console tray, centre console side pockets, driver's seat back pocket, and quarter trim pockets.

The centre console tray also has a 15w wireless phone charger, with type A and C USB charging ports also provided at the front and back of the centre console.

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Advanced driver assist features include smart adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, lane-keep assist and speed sign recognition that, using satellite navigation data, can adjust the Outlander’s speed to suit the speed limit.

Other available active safety features include radar-based autonomous emergency braking, collision warning, active blind-spot assist that will prevent the Outlander changing lanes if there is another vehicle to the side, driver attention alert, rear auto braking, and rear cross traffic alert.

There are also 11 airbags, including a front centre one that deploys between the driver's seat and front passenger seat in the case of a side impact.

Performance and handling

Engine wise, the Outlander rides on a new platform with power coming from a newly developed 2.5-litre petrol engine that Mitsubishi claims improves output by 8.9 per cent, and is 2.6 per cent more fuel efficient.

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The engine is coupled with an eight-speed continuously variable transmission that, according to Mitsubishi, changes speeds crisply like a multi-stage automatic transmission for more powerful acceleration, while feeling smooth and quiet when cruising.

Last night’s reveal did not mention the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, which will be announced at a later date and is expected to from part of the new Outlander range when it arrives in Australia in September or October 2021.

The 4WD versions feature an electronically-controlled torque distribution system incorporating a hydraulic clutch that provides extra traction when taking off on slippery surfaces.

The new Outlander also has an improved S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system and brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) on the rear wheels, making it possible to provide front and rear wheel distributed control.

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The all-new platform offers improved torsional rigidity over that of the previous model for improved handling. This is further enhanced, according to Mitsubishi, by the multi-link suspension and dual pinion electric power steering that improves cornering and “achieves high-quality ride comfort while also providing operability with a direct, linear feel”.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is slated to launch in the US in April 2021 and is due to arrive in Australia in September or October 2021, which will be a few months ahead of its closest rival, and cousin, the all-new 2022 Nissan X-Trail.

Local pricing and features will be revealed closer to launch.