The Outlander is one of Mitsubishi's best vehicles in years. It helps that it's based on the also very good Nissan Rogue, but that's not a knock on the Outlander at all. We like its ride comfort and its seats are superb. We also appreciate its clever packaging, which makes it roomy inside. It's also one of the smallest SUVs to come with a third row, so if you need something with a small overall footprint that can accommodate some smaller people in the wayback area, this Mitsubishi might just be the right answer. It also comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, adding to its value.
The Outlander has proven to be Mitsubishi's most convincing effort in years. It's been on sale since 2022, which means 2025 will be its fourth model year on sale — and that's right around the halfway mark of a typical SUV's lifespan. Mitsubishi has a refresh queued up, but the company is keeping quiet on the details of the face-lift until closer to the start of sales in early 2025. So far, the automaker's promising updated front and rear styling and an interior featuring more luxurious materials and design.
Even though the Outlander's third row might seal the deal for some, there are plenty of five-seat, two-row SUVs we like just a touch more than the Mitsubishi. The Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-50 are both great to drive, and the Kia Sportage Hybrid is an Edmunds Top Rated pick for a reason.
Mitsubishi hasn't released complete information on the 2025 Outlander as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Outlander, we think the SE hits the sweet spot in terms of cost and features. It gets a bigger infotainment screen than the ES trim and comes with heated front seats and a power-operated tailgate. It also adds front parking sensors and a surround-view camera, which isn't common in this segment.
[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's Outlander. We expect the 2025 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Mitsubishi Outlander comes standard with seating for seven thanks to a small third-row seat. There are five trim levels: ES, SE, SE Black Edition, SEL and SEL Platinum Edition. All Outlanders use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All Outlander trims offer Mitsubishi's Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) as the optional all-wheel-drive system except the SEL Platinum, where it's standard.
ES
The entry-level Outlander ES comes standard with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation
- Dark-tinted rear privacy glass
- Push-button ignition
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Cloth seats
- 40/20/40-split folding second-row seats
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Six-speaker audio system
- Two front USB charging ports
- Satellite radio with 90-day trial subscription
- Mitsubishi Connect with Safeguard and Remote Services (a subscription-based service that provides support in emergencies and allows you to control certain vehicle functions from your phone. Includes a 24-month subscription.)
Several advanced driving aids are also standard. They include:
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Rear cross-traffic warning with automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
- Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
SE
The Outlander SE takes the SUV to the next level with all of the features of the ES plus:
- 20-inch wheels
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless phone charger
- Keyless entry
- Heated front seats
- Power tailgate
- Heated, power-folding mirrors
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Power-operated driver's seat
- One front and one rear USB charging port
- Wireless Apple CarPlay (Android Auto remains wired)
- Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Outlander and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Mi-Pilot Assist system. It partially automates some driving actions and consists of:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Outlander and the car in front)
- Lane keeping assistance (steers the Outlander back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
A Tech package is optional with the SE trim. It gives you:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 10-speaker Bose audio system
SE Black Edition
The SE Black Edition has the SE equipment plus:
- Distinct 20-inch black wheels
- Blacked-out exterior trim
- Full digital instrument panel display
SEL
The Outlander's top-trim spec builds on SE features with:
- Upgraded exterior trim
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Roof rails
- LED interior lighting
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- Three-zone climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver's and passenger seats
- Memory for the driver's settings
- Heated front and rear seats
- Manual rear seat window shades
A Touring package adds these features to the Outlander SEL:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- 10-speaker Bose audio system
- Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
- Mitsubishi Connect with Safeguard and Remote Services
An available Premium package includes the Touring package equipment and adds premium leather seats and door inserts.
SEL Platinum Edition
- Black paint with silver roof
- Leather seats
- Light gray interior
- Silver gauge trim
- Puddle light ground illumination