Car Review: Mitsubishi Outlander sports bold styling and improved interior design for 2025

It might not be the biggest car company, but Mitsubishi is having a bit of renaissance in the U.S. market and its largest vehicle, the Outlander, is leading the way.

Mitsubishi isn’t wasting any time with new updates to its 2025 Outlander compact SUV. A bold new face with a revised grill design and a larger front badge announces that this is a proud brand again. New slender LED running lights and turn signal clusters add a modern touch to the front end of the Outlander. It helps give this Mitsubishi more appeal in the crowded compact SUV market. Choose a higher trim level like the Outlander SEL and you add handsome two-tone 20-inch wheels and an available new color for 2025 — Moonstone Gray — with a black roof that gives it a more upscale look than before.

Once you step inside, the 2025 Outlander offers great improvements that help it standout. Better seats and improved materials are a welcome change. The semi-aniline leather is a nice touch in this class. The front seats are more comfortable with extra padding and added ventilation, plus the usual heated seats. This three-row ride seats seven. However, the third row is best for shorter trips and children because there isn’t much space. Just fold both rows down and this small Ute opens up nicely for cargo.

It has an improved 12.3-inch touch screen that supports better graphics and touch controls. The optional dynamic sound Yamaha Ultimate is crisp at lower and even higher volumes.

This Outlander feels more confident on the road than before thanks to the S-AWC control, Mitsubishi’s version of AWD, and it makes for fun on back roads. It seems to soak up the bumps nicely and provides a nice commuter vehicle, too. The cabin is also more hushed on the highway, making it less tiring on longer trips. One thing that has not really changed is power from the four-cylinder engine. Some might think that it lacks ponies under the hood. You especially notice it when merging onto the highway with four or five people inside. The fuel economy is a bright spot for this seven-seat SUV.

Cost: $38,795; as tested $45,930

MPG: 24 MPG City; 30 MPG Highway. I managed 27.4 mpg in 347 miles of mixed driving.

Options: $3,050 premium package; $210 tonneau cover; $185 welcome package; $795 Moonstone gray/black roof; $1,400 launch package

Safety: Blind spot warning with lane-change assist and rear cross traffic collision alert; automatic high beam; forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection & high speed braking; lane departure warning; MI-PILOT assist adaptive cruise control; traffic sign recognition; digital rearview mirror with rear camera

Things to know: Mitsubishi remakes its Outlander into an improved three-row crossover. More upscale inside and a fresher look on the outside, the new Outlander is now more appealing in a competitive market.

Pros:

• Long warranty period with a 10-year and 100,000-mile power train warranty.
• Extra space allows a third row of seating not seen in many compact crossovers.
• Compliant ride with above average handling for this small SUV class.

Cons:

• Lacks power compared to some other compact crossovers.
• Gets pricey in upper trim levels.
• Not a very large dealership network compared to other bigger manufacturers.