Mitsubishi’s model line-up is changing, but it may not be for the better, with a lot more pressure put on key models, previous volume sellers put out to pasture, and new threats from competitors.
Mitsubishi’s position as a top-ten telling brand in Australia could be in jeopardy.
At the same time, one of the brand’s top-three sellers, the ASX, has switched from cheap and accessible to premium and relatively expensive.
That leaves Mitsubishi with the Triton ute and Outlander SUV as volume sellers, and threatened by a growing number of Chinese brands that want to break into Australia’s top ten.
Over the course of 2026, Mitsubishi faces an uphill battle just to hold ground.
The missing models from Mitsubishi’s range
Mitsubishi is missing three key models in 2026 that it relied on in the past: The Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport, and an affordable ASX.
The Eclipse Cross was a small SUV support act to the ASX. Not the biggest seller, but enough to add meaningful sales volume, and, with a plug-in hybrid, a fantastic foot in the door for green fleets.
The ‘original’ ASX is gone too, or rather it has been replaced by a very different vehicle, sourced from alliance partner, Renault.
Instead of a low-price, high-volume seller, Mitsubishi has a high-cost model that turns its back on the simple and reliable ASX legacy.
The new ASX feels like a better fit for the gap left by the old Eclipse Cross, but nothing takes the place of the old ASX.
While Mitsubishi still has the Outlander for urban families, the adventure-ready Pajero Sport will also be let run down.
Mitsubishi has pledged to keep stock on hand even though production for Australia has ended, but sales of the Ford Everest-rivalling Pajero Sport will start to decline as stocks deplete.
A replacement has not yet been confirmed, but Mitsubishi has strongly hinted that the new Pajero Sport will be closer to what the Pajero used to be, and may even resurrect the Pajero name.
While the return of the Pajero is good news for enthusiasts, it may also mean that the Pajero Sport’s replacement is pitched further upmarket.
If Mitsubishi positions the new large 4x4 as a rival to off-roaders like the Toyota Prado, rather than more affordable alternatives like the Isuzu MU-X, it could run into problems.
It’s not known yet how the Pajero Sport replacement will be positioned, but it’s safe to assume that the $51,540 before on-road costs entry price of the current model won't be repeated. If Mitsubishi looks to Toyota for inspiration, a base model Prado starts from $72,500.
The same rings true for the ASX. Previously available from $24,490 with a manual or $26,740 with an automatic, the ASX range was budget-friendly, and its popularity with fleet buyers reflected that.
The most expensive previous-generation ASX only just surpassed $35,000 before on-road costs. The new model starts from $37,740, and that means that for less than $3000, more buyers could get into a larger, more powerful base model Outlander.
At the same time, Mitsubishi’s reliance on big cars, like the Triton and Outlander, could see it landed with penalties under Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) scheme.
NVES sees brands penalised based on the number of high-emissions vehicles they sell, or credited for low-emission plug-in hybrid and EV sales.
While Mitsubishi has a plug-in hybrid Outlander, it also has a lot of large vehicles to offset, and either needs to pay the penalty that comes with those, or purchase offsets from another carmaker.
At the end of the day, either cost will need to be covered, and the impact will eventually make its way to the retail price customers pay.
For quite some time, buyers looking for a quality, affordable car could turn to Mitsubishi.
Over the last decade, Chinese brands have not only swooped in with cheap vehicles, but are also offering high levels of equipment and reliability on par with established rivals.
More than just quality product, Chinese brands are also pushing hard for sales volume in Australia, with brands like BYD, GWM, and MG already breaking into Australia’s top-ten sellers list.
New brands have openly stated their ambition to get there too, and the cost will only come to established brands.
Mitsubishi has a lot to lose. China’s grasp of plug-in hybrid tech poses a big threat to the Outlander, and even non-hybrid seven-seaters are being offered by more and more Chinese brands.
For now, the Triton outsells most Chinese utes offered in Australia, but the BYD Shark 6 has already overtaken the Triton, and new utes from LDV and MG, improved offerings from GWM, and low-priced threats from JAC and Foton all stand to erode Triton’s stability.
Electric and hybrid help is on the way
Despite the challenges faced by Mitsubishi, the brand won't sit idle, with a series of new and updated products slated to launch in 2026.
The most significant of these will be Mitsubishi’s first dedicated electric vehicle.
Full details have yet to be confirmed, but Mitsubishi will turn to contract manufacturer Foxxcon, and its vehicle division, Foxtron, to source the new EV.
Expected as a small SUV rival to line up against vehicles like the BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3, and MG ZS, the Mitsubishi EV should arrive in Australian showrooms before the end of 2026.
A plugless hybrid version of the Outlander is also in development, although its production arrival is less clear.
As more and more medium SUVs turn to hybrid power, the Outlander hybrid would offer a more affordable alternative to the existing Outlander PHEV.
Murkier still are the chances of an Eclipse Cross return. Mitsubishi Europe offers a rebadged version of the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
The all-electric SUV would act as a second EV model line for the brand if it came to Australia, but unlike the Foxtron-sourced model, may be harder to price competitively.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
