The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is an aging entry in the competitive arena of affordable crossovers. A 2018 refresh brings some much-needed technology and safety updates while keeping the Outlander at a very competitive price point. It’s not for everyone, but Mitsubishi's largest crossover is still a decent bargain.
What's New for 2018
A new seven-inch infotainment screen is the main interior upgrade, but there’s also some new ornamental stitching. All other changes are in the available options, as the upper trim levels gain access to more luxury features. Safety gets a boost as well, with new options like collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and automatic high beams.
Choosing Your Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has made an effort to make the Outlander more appealing to a wide range of buyers, and the feature set reflect that effort. All models come standard with a rearview camera, the new touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and the option for all-wheel drive (standard on the GT trim). The Outlander remains one of very few budget crossovers to seat seven, though the third-row seats are cramped.
Two engines power the Outlander lineup. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder unit producing 166 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, which is always paired with a CVT. According to the EPA this engine gets up to 25 mpg city, 30 highway, and 27 combined, which is neither the best nor the worst among similar crossovers. All-wheel drive drops fuel economy to 24/29/26 mpg. The premium GT trim (with standard AWD) gets the more powerful 3.0-liter V6, which routes 224 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission and gets 20/27/23 mpg.
If you're worried about mileage, Mitsubishi also makes a plug-in hybrid version in the Outlander PHEV. The PHEV comes in SEL or GT trim and is almost identical to the regular Outlander, other than its powertrain. That powertrain is a hybrid-electric unit producing an estimated 195 hp from a 2.0-liter gas engine and two 60-kW electric motors. Power runs through a single-speed automatic, and the PHEV is capable of traveling 22 miles in electric-only mode. EPA estimates a combined fuel economy of around 74 mpg.
There are four trim levels to choose from: ES, SE, SEL, and GT.
The competition for crossovers is stiff, and there are more polished cars on the market (Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, for example). There are two main reasons to look at the Outlander: standard 7-passenger seating, and the price. To take full advantage of both, keep prices as low as you can—the SE trim is our pick.