Tougher Mitsubishi Outlander confirmed but it won’t be tri-motor Ralliart hero, rather a Subaru Forester Wilderness rival

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Mitsubishi Motors North America has confirmed it will debut an ‘off-road focused’ variant of its upcoming Outlander mild-hybrid mid next year. Despite being a step-up from the existing US-grade Trail Edition, this soon-to-release off-roader leaves many wishing for more. 

Three years ago, there were murmurs of a rally-bred, 285kW, tri-motor Ralliart version. It’s still yet to appear, even though testing was confirmed and a spokesperson told Chasing Cars in 2023 “we really want to make that kind of technology for production vehicles.”

One can understand our disappointment then, when the reality of a new off-road model sets in. Largely, the fact that it will use the same 135kW/245Nm 1.5-litre mild-hybrid as the rest of the U.S. Outlander range. 

Further details are yet to be confirmed but the as-yet unnamed variant will feature new, off-road specific bodywork (possibly reprofiled bumpers and black wheel arch mouldings), and an upgraded version of the Outlander’s ‘S-AWC’ all-wheel drive system. 

As for Australian plans for Mitsubishi‘s Toyota RAV4 Edge, Subaru Forester Wilderness and Nissan X-Trail N-Trek rival, a spokesperson told Chasing Cars:

“We understand there is Aussie customer interest in such a vehicle and we are evaluating how a more adventure-focused Outlander might look in the future, for our market. However, no plans are confirmed at this moment.”

The new US-bound off-road Outlander builds upon the recently released Outlander Trail Edition, also exclusive to US markets. That model starts from US$39,295.

In Australia, that price would translate to around $60,500 before on-road costs — roughly the price of an Outlander Exceed Tourer. 

US-market Trail Edition Outlander models build upon the middle-grade SE, equivalent to our ‘LS’, adding 18-inch wheels, external body protectors, roof-rails, mud flaps, and blacked-out features including a bonnet decal, door handles, mirrors and grille-trim. 

US-market 2026 model Outlanders will transition from use of a 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre engine (the very same unit sold in Australia) for a 135kW/245Nm 1.5-litre mild-hybrid, marketed alongside an updated Outlander plug-in hybrid system.

Speaking to Mitsubishi Australia, it was confirmed that an improved plug-in hybrid Outlander will arrive in January, but the option of a mild-hybrid remains off the table for now. More on those powertrains here.