Australia has played a role in the development of the latest iteration of Mitsubishi's top seller, which will gain revised styling and new interior features.
Family Cars
Mitsubishi engineers have replicated a section of an Australian country road at the company's proving ground in Japan to help develop the latest version of the Outlander family SUV.
Visual changes for the 2025 Outlander are mild, but the facelifted model – due in Australian Mitsubishi showrooms between July and September this year – focuses on improvements inside the cabin, and under the skin.
Prices are due to be confirmed closer to launch, but the premium for plug-in hybrid technology over pure petrol power may grow due to a larger battery and longer electric driving range.
Among the tweaks for 2025 is retuned suspension and steering specific to the Australian market, intended to make it more comfortable over bumps, yet handle better in corners.
Australia is now one of the most important markets for the Mitsubishi Outlander globally, after the SUV became the country’s fifth best-selling car last year – and ranked fourth last month.
Mitsubishi says the new model has been tested on local roads, with the Japanese chief engineer for the vehicle recently visiting Australia to give the car his final tick of approval.
“We've had many [Japanese] R&D engineers working very closely with us, with the Australian team for … close to two years,” Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shaun Westcott told Drive.
“They've [Mitsubishi head office] actually reconstructed sections of Australian road in Japan. You can go to Japan and drive on an Australian road there.
“That's how seriously and how important Australian feedback and input has been into the enhancement and improvement of what is already a good product.”
Specific changes include additional sound deadening material to reduce noise, retuned steering for a more “confident” feel, and revised suspension to suit a new set of tyres.
Five model grades will be offered in the non-hybrid line-up – ES, LS, Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer – with the outgoing GSR plug-in hybrid yet to be confirmed for a return to the updated range.
Exterior changes for 2025 are limited to a new front grille insert, fresh 20-inch alloy wheel design, clear lenses for the LED tail-lights, and a new Moonstone Grey hero paint finish.
Inside, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen from the related Nissan X-Trail has been added, which introduces wireless Android Auto alongside the existing wireless Apple CarPlay function.
Ventilated front seats are now available, alongside a new Brick Brown tone for the leather on high-grade models, and a digital rear-view mirror.
There are two new Yamaha sound systems, fitted depending on model: a 12-speaker, 1650-watt Ultimate stereo on the Exceed Tourer, and a base eight-speaker ‘Premium’ system on all other grades.
Further changes include a new centre console with repositioned cupholders to unlock more space under the armrest.
Plug-in hybrid versions benefit from a larger 22.7kWh battery pack, which promises to boost electric driving range closer to 100 kilometres, but full details for Australia are due to be confirmed at a later date.
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is due in Australian showrooms in the third quarter of this year (July to September), as a Model Year 2025.5 vehicle.
The outgoing model is priced from $37,740 to $55,190 plus on-road costs in petrol form, or $57,290 to $73,790 plus on-roads in plug-in hybrid trim.
Family Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
