- Mitsubishi will launch a second SUV in 2026 alongside its already confirmed EV.
- SUV number two is a tougher, more rugged version of the existing Outlander.
- It’ll build on Outlander’s Trail Edition and bring off-road trim and drive modes.
Mitsubishi is beefing up its US lineup, and this time, it’s not with an electric crossover. The automaker has announced plans to introduce a second new model for North America, one that adds serious off-road attitude to its existing range.
Building on the success of the Outlander Trail Edition, Mitsubishi will soon roll out a more rugged variant of its popular family SUV that’s designed to get dirty, or at least won’t cry if it does.
Trail-Ready Intentions
The upcoming model will debut in 2026 and feature off-road-specific bodywork, drive modes, and performance upgrades, Mitsubishi says. It’s also in line for a unique interior with tougher, more durable materials.
The new variant will expand the Outlander family – and Mitsubishi’s footprint in the US – as part of its broader Momentum 2030 strategy, which promises at least one new or refreshed model every year through the end of the decade.
Related: Mitsubishi’s Outlander Trail Edition Wants You To Think It Likes To Get Dirty
While Mitsubishi hasn’t released photos yet, the description points to more than just cosmetic tweaks. Expect a bolder look, chunkier bumpers, skid plates, and possibly a suspension tune that delivers better ground clearance and capability over rocks and ruts.
US Outlanders come with front-wheel drive as standard, but Mitsubishi says the new model will take the optional Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive hardware “to the next level,” so expect standard AWD and recalibrated software to handle rougher trails.
Unlikely to change is the sluggish 181 hp (184 PS) 2.5-liter inline four, although hopefully Mitsubishi will also make available the 2.4-liter PHEV powertrain from the Outlander Hybrid. That setup is good for 248 hp (251 PS), and cuts almost 1.5 seconds from the un-electrified version’s 8-plus-seconds zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time.
A Two-Pronged Expansion
This rugged Outlander will arrive alongside the new all-electric model (a rebadged Nissan Leaf) that Mitsubishi already confirmed earlier this year, and is due to arrive in summer 2026.
Together, the two utilities will help the brand appeal to both adventure seekers and eco-minded commuters, as well as help dealer salesmen fill the spare time they’ve found themselves with since the little Mirage was axed in 2024.
Note: Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed any images of its new rugged Outlander yet, but it should be even more outdoorsy than the Outlander Trail Edition shown in the gallery below.
