2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Less than a decade ago, Mitsubishi's presence in the U.S. market hung by a thread. Today, the once-beleaguered automaker has been revitalized primarily due to the excellent fourth-generation Outlander — notable for its smooth ride, classy and roomy interior, and just-right size that still offers a standard third row. The tall truck-ish front end also gives the Outlander some new attitude, making it the first Mitsubishi in a while that might elicit a double take. Optional all-wheel drive, an available plug-in hybrid model (reviewed separately), and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty all contribute to the Outlander's appeal.

The Outlander is Mitsubishi's strongest effort in years, and for 2026, it promises to address one of our key complaints: sluggish acceleration. The current 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, shared with the Nissan Rogue, makes way for a smaller 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder designed in-house and augmented with mild hybrid assist. The latter should help the Outlander accelerate a little quicker and keep speed on tap for low-speed agility and highway maneuvers. We won't know until we test the new configuration, but it's encouraging news. The 2026 Outlander will also get a new LE trim level that slots just above the entry-level ES, a new SEL Black Edition package, and the return of the Ralliart trim. 

The Outlander's standard third row helps it stand out from other compact crossovers, but it's not very roomy, making it more appropriate for occasional use. The same is broadly true of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. If you can get by with just two rows of seating, we're big fans of the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50, Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. But if the third row is a must, the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander are worthy alternatives, though they are admittedly much pricier.

The Outlander has been a surprisingly strong pick for a midsize-ish three-row SUV. More power and quicker zip from a new turbo engine could make it an even more compelling choice.