Mitsubishi announces a rugged Off-Road Outlander variant for 2026. The new model will boast off-road bodywork and performance upgrades, building on the Trail Edition. Mitsubishi says further new vehicles are coming as part of its Momentum 2030 growth plan.
Back in July, Mitsubishi updated the entire Outlander lineup for 2026, but as it turns out, that was just phase one of its salvo for the new model year. The Japanese automaker today announced that it will introduce a second new SUV to accompany its upcoming electric SUV, and it’s one that fans of the brand and its best-seller are sure to love. Touted as an “all-new rugged variant of [the] Outlander,” the new model will boast off-road bodywork, off-road-focused drive modes and performance upgrades, and a unique interior. But don’t go rushing out to your local dealer just yet – the new model only arrives sometime after the second quarter of next year commences.
Mitsubishi says that the new variant will build on the Trail Edition package introduced a couple of months back, and alongside unique bodywork, the cabin will boast new materials. It will, as you’d expect, feature Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control AWD system, but the company has not revealed what to expect in terms of powertrain, ground clearance, or other technical specifications. What we do know is that the new model will come in the company’s fiscal year 2026, which means no sooner than April 2026. This will be an important vehicle for Mitsubishi as it aims to grow its footprint in North America, so pricing will need to be competitive to stave off competition from the likes of Toyota and its ever-popular RAV4. For the record, the 2026 Outlander currently starts at $29,995 in FWD form, with the cheapest AWD variant carrying a base MSRP of $31,795. We predict the new, more focused model will cost under $45,000, but that depends on how extensive the changes are over the Trail Edition ($39.295).
As part of the brand’s Momentum 2030 plan to grow, Mitsubishi says that “this is just the beginning, with more new vehicles and more news coming.” What those new vehicles might look like is anyone’s guess at this point, but we presume that more crossovers would make the most sense. If things go well enough, perhaps the Ralliart nameplate could be brought into the fray at some point. In June, Mitsubishi officials told Australian media that they are “investigating” bringing something like the widebody Outlander concept to production, but while such a thing would surely generate interest, Mitsubishi first needs to confirm that such interest would turn into sales, and that’s what this new off-roader will help the company to evaluate. We hope it goes well, because it’s the spicy performance-focused models that brought many of Mitsubishi’s fans to the brand, and although focused on the lower end of the market at present, a Ralliart model could elevate opinions and encourage enthusiasts to return. We’ll bring you more images and information as they become available, which we expect to slowly roll out through the remainder of this year.
