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YARMOUTH PORT, Mass. – The reengineered 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander stands out from the crowded compact sport-utility segment thanks to its seven-passenger capacity in three-rows of seating.
We did not need the third row during our recent week in the premium-level equipped Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC but were able to appreciate the improvements Mitsubishi made to the platform and interior features.
This mid-generation refresh (the fourth generation was introduced in 2022) continues to utilize the 2.5-liter, double overhead camshaft, 16-valve naturally aspirated engine which produces 181 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque.
Efficient powertrain carried over
The transmission is a continuously variable unit (CVT) set up to mimic an eight-speed sport shifter. Mitsubishi calls it “an eight-speed sport mode CVT with optimized torque converter characteristics and gear ratio. The eight-speed sport mode enables rapid speed change response to provide a sporty drive feeling. Step-shift control is used when the vehicle is in Drive to provide responsive speed change like that of a conventional automatic transmission.”
The transmission computer’s action works – I was not aware the Outlander used a CVT until reading the company’s press materials. It drove and felt like a traditional automatic programmed for quick, sporty shifts.
The final major system in the powertrain is the standard all-wheel drive which Mitsubishi labels Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC). The system’s history is wrapped in motorsports lore, developed for and honed in the woods, streams and mountains of the world’s toughest rallies. (More about S-AWC in the next section, which combines with the brake system, to enhance on-road handling and safety.)
The powertrain pieces produce modest performance numbers, getting from rest to 60 miles per hour in an estimated (by Car and Driver testers) in less than nine seconds. This may not rival some of its competitors’ capabilities, but the Outlander performs well in daily driving, never once leaving me yearning for more power; never once letting me down, whether merging onto an interstate or passing on a rural road.
Where the Outlander’s performance does shine is in the fuel-economy arena. The 27.8 miles per gallon I saw during my week behind the wheel put it in the top tier of three-row SUVs, ahead of virtually all non-electric or hybrid examples. My mileage outpaced the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s rating of 26 mpg overall (24 urban, 30 highway), which is still a solid figure.
Platform reengineered for sharper handling, smoother ride
Mitsubishi’s engineers paid attention to details when tuning the chassis of the refreshed Outlander. Aluminum is used throughout to save weight; retuned shock absorbers and front stabilizer bar were fitted, as well as new tire specifications designated concentrating on tread pattern, wear characteristics, road noise, sidewall compliance and other factors which in small ways were intended to further enhance the revised suspension.
The components include MacPherson-type struts with stabilizer bar up front and an independent multi-link setup with stabilizer bar in the rear.
The braking system incorporates ventilated rotors at all four corners. The fronts are 13.8 inches in diameter, the rears 13.0. The brakes’ electronics, including the anti-lock system (ABS) are actively integrated into the Super-All Wheel Control system which also integrates Active Stability Control and Active Yaw Control with four-wheel-brake control.
As Mitsubishi describes it, “S-AWC uses sensors to detect the steering angle, yaw rate, driving torque, brake pressure, wheel speed, and other factors to continuously and correctly identify driver operation and vehicle status. Based on them, it balances and maximizes the capability of all four tires to deliver precise handling and superior stability.”
The system can be tailored to specific driver needs through the choice of one of six drive modes: Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud.
Luckily, I never had the need to truly test the full capabilities of the S-AWC or the extreme weather conditions the different drive modes might necessitate. Regardless, the Outlander was comfortable, well controlled and easy to drive quickly on the curving roads in the Mid Cape area.
ADAS list comprehensive
The 2025 Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC comes with a long list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) befitting a model virtually at the top of the range. The features include automatic high beams; forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection; blind-spot warning with lane-change assist; rear cross-traffic alert; rear automatic-emergency braking (AEB); lane-departure warning; front and rear parking sensors, and Mi-Pilot Assist with Navi-link (integrated adaptive cruise control with stop&go, lane-departure assist, and traffic-sign recognition).
Extensive upgrades to the interior
Refreshing the Outlander for 2025 brought efforts to increase upscale features and amenities within the cabin.
The SEL I drove had the $3,050 premium package which brought the new 12-speaker, 1,650-Watt Yamaha Ultimate audio system. Controlled by the infotainment system’s new 12.3-inch color LCD touchscreen, the Yamaha system incorporates two amplifiers and a subwoofer.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the infotainment package as is the standard Google-based navigation (and it is the best application of a Google-navigation/map system I have experienced. It has the clearest text fonts of any Google map applications, for example.).
The premium package also upgrades the leather seating surfaces to semi-aniline leather with the fronts being both heated and ventilated as well as being power adjustable, while the second row’s outer locations are heated. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is also heated.
A three-zone automatic climate-control system allows precise environmental control for the Outlander’s occupants.
In essence, the Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with premium package is fully equipped with virtually all the features, technology and amenities expected in a premium SUV.
The Outlander is a three-row value story
The 2025 Outlander range opens with the front-wheel-drive ES 2.5 2WD for $29,645 and progresses through six additional trim levels to the fully equipped (with unique paint and styling cues) Platinum Edition 2.5 S-AWC for $43,145 (prices do not include the $1,495 destination/handling fee).
The review unit I drove has a base price of $38,795. Added to the review model was the $3,050 premium package, $400 graphite gray/black roof paint, $370 for door ground MITSUBISHI illumination, $210 for cargo cover, $170 for a chrome hood ornament and $165 for the welcome package. The total, adding in the destination charge, came to $44,675 which represents excellent value for a premium-level compact SUV and even better value when considering the unique third row of seats.
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