Mitsubishi will introduce an off-road-focused variant of its Outlander SUV in the US in 2026, with changes likely to include lifted suspension, new bumpers, and special drive modes.
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A rugged, off-road-ready version of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander family SUV has been confirmed.
Mitsubishi's United States division has confirmed the off-road-focused Outlander variant – reportedly dubbed 'Rugged Edition' by dealer sources – will launch by March 2027, with several enhancements over the current model.
The off-road-ready variant will be built from on the current Outlander Trail Edition, which went on sale in the US this year, adding black exterior trim, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, and badging, but no off-road enhancements such as lifted suspension or all-terrain tyres.
Mitsubishi has confirmed the new Outlander variant will add "off-road-specific bodywork", off-road drive modes, performance upgrades, "unique interior styling with specific materials", and a "next level" version of its Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.
A dealer source in the United States told Automotive News in 2024 the new model will be "Subaru Outback-like", suggesting it'll have more ground clearance and add black plastic cladding to its front and rear bumpers, among other changes.
The off-road variant will also feature the US-market 2026 Outlander's new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, replacing the current 2.5-litre non-turbo, non-hybrid four-cylinder shared with Australian examples.
"The new powertrain will deliver increased confidence and drivability thanks to electrified torque aiding off-the-line acceleration," Mitsubishi USA said in a media release in July.
An update for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is also due to launch in the US and Australia by the end of the year, including a larger battery, more electric-only driving range, and new in-cabin technologies.
In 2026, Mitsubishi will also launch its own version of the new-generation Nissan Leaf electric vehicle in the United States, while in Australia, it will launch an EV supplied from Foxtron, the vehicle division of Taiwan contact manufacturer Foxconn.
In return, Nissan will receive the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) wearing Rogue PHEV badging, the US-market name for the X-Trail SUV, which is a twin-under-the-skin to the Outlander in its current petrol-only and non-plug-in hybrid guises.
"At this stage we are still working through the opportunity and will have more information as plans are confirmed," a Mitsubishi Motors Australia spokesperson said earlier this year, when asked about the Nissan Leaf-based EV.
More details on the off-road-focused 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander variant, including its name, technical specifications, pricing, and US launch timing, will be confirmed closer to its reveal, the brand said.
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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
