- The new Outlander may take design inspiration from the recent Elevance Concept.
- Mitsubishi Outlander sales in the US fell from 45,253 to 35,896 units last year.
- An upgraded engine and four electric motors may be added to the PHEV.
The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander has been around since 2021, and although it continues to sell well, an all-new model could be just two years away. Tipped to hit the market with a radical new design and an improved plug-in hybrid powertrain, it could reinvigorate interest in the brand and help it better compete with rivals.
Mitsubishi’s current Outlander remains an important model for the brand, particularly in the US. Last year, 35,895 were sold, and although that was down from the 45,253 sold the previous year, it was still comfortably the brand’s best-selling model. Whenever a car brand sets out to replace its best-seller, the pressure’s on, and only time will tell if Mitsubishi can deliver.
Read: Mitsubishi’s Futuristic SUV Concept Could Inspire New Pajero Sport
A report from Japan claims the new model will take inspiration from the Elevance Concept that Mitsubishi unveiled last year. The overall shape and size of that concept was similar to the current Outlander, but it introduced a radical new design that could help modernize the next-gen Outlander.
Modern Looks And More Power
Mitsubishi Elevance Concept
Key elements of the concept that may make it into production include dramatic new headlights and daytime running lights flowing down the SUV’s fascia. In addition, a new body-colored grille could be fitted. One of the most dramatic elements of the Elevance Concept was the huge side windows, but sadly, they won’t make it into the production car.
If the rear of the new Outlander also follows in the footsteps of this concept, expect to see a full-width LED light bar and new taillights that extend up the D-pillars and across the SUV’s rear flanks.
A PHEV With Four Electric Motors?
More important than the 2028 Outlander’s exterior design will be the powertrain. The current plug-in hybrid model has a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, two electric motors, and a 22.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. All up, it delivers an impressive 297 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque, all while offering an all-electric driving range of up to 66 miles (106 km).
For the fifth-generation model, Mitsubishi may add two additional electric motors, making for four in total. Along with this inevitable power increase, the four motors will play an integral role in Mitsubishi’s next-generation Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, which was also previewed with the Elevance Concept, improving handling through precise power deployment to each wheel.
