Mitsubishi Outlander facelift unveiled with barely disguised details

The Outlander may look very similar to its predecessor, but it benefits from interior upgrades and improved powertrains.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is due for a mid-cycle update this fall, but a lightly camouflaged prototype spotted during development testing in Japan shows what to expect. The SUV’s exterior changes are fairly limited, but there will be more significant changes inside the cabin and under the body.

A few weeks after the official teaser, spy photos surfaced online, all but confirming that the Outlander’s exterior will remain largely unchanged compared to the fourth-generation model launched since 2021. The European version is scheduled to be unveiled in Madrid on October 1, but the Japanese market version may be available earlier.

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Mitsubishi has already shown us updated LED graphics on the upper headlights, which remain unchanged in profile. Black tape on the grille hides revised chrome slats, while a lightly camouflaged lower bumper area suggests trim changes are likely.

The prototype appears to be finished in a new Moonstone Grey Metallic hue, paired with new 20-inch alloy wheels. The facelifted Outlander was spotted on the Tomei Expressway on Japan’s Honshu island. User Sakurauchi Shoji posted the photos on X (formerly Twitter), and local media Creative Trend later shared the photos.

Mitsubishi says interior upgrades will include a 12.3-inch infotainment system (most likely from the closely related Nissan X-Trail) to replace the outgoing model’s smaller 8- and 9-inch units. The SUV will also feature ventilated semi-aniline leather seats, more premium materials and a high-end Yamaha sound system.

More importantly, the automaker confirmed that the mid-term update will adopt the latest generation of plug-in hybrid 4×4 powertrain. This will likely provide higher output compared to the 248 hp (185 kW / 251 hp) predecessor, while the new battery pack will significantly extend the electric range. For comparison, the outgoing model can achieve a zero-emission range of 38 miles (61 km). Mitsubishi engineers will also adjust the chassis settings to improve ride comfort.

We should learn more about the Mitsubishi Outlander in the coming months as the car’s debut date draws nearer. The facelifted model will go on sale in Japan this fall, with Mitsubishi Europe confirming production will begin in late 2024. The updated SUV should also be available in the United States, where Mitsubishi recently became a crossover-only brand.

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