Mitsubishi is giving both versions of its Outlander some big upgrades for 2026. Just a year after getting a complete makeover, the gas Mitsubishi Outlander gets a new engine.
The Outlander PHEV picks up the cabin upgrades the standard model received last year. It also adds a new, larger battery pack that will give the three-row SUV more electric range.
New Engine for 2026 Outlander Gas
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander’s new engine is a 1.5L turbo-four that it says is based on the one in the Eclipse Cross. It will have a mild hybrid system for some extra off-the-line torque, but the company didn’t say exactly how much power or torque the new engine will deliver.
We’re hoping it will be more than the 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque that the engine manages in the Eclipse Cross. Those numbers are adequate in the much smaller vehicle, but the Outlander is much heavier and can seat seven.
For reference, the 2.5L four that’s going away makes 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque.
It’s a bit of speculation from us, but Mitsubishi already sells the 1.5T mild hybrid in the Outlander in China. There, it makes 161 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, figures that are slightly more reassuring. We’ll have to wait a few months for the full U.S. specs to be sure.
Mitsubishi is also adding a new LE grade between the base ES and SE, a top-spec SEL Black Edition (black trim on the SEL), and bringing back the Ralliart, which came with stickers and white paint back in 2024.
Outlander PHEV Gets Big Interior Boost
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets the revised cabin that the gas model received for 2025. The changes include more sound insulation, new higher-grade materials, new colors, and new heated and cooled front seats. Mitsubishi has also swapped around the cupholders and redesigned the wireless phone charger to make both more user-friendly.
Another big change is the stereo. The new Yamaha audio system available on gas models comes standard on PHEV.
Mitsubishi says it has retuned the shocks, springs, stabilizer bars, and bushings — basically, the entire suspension — all to try and improve the driving experience. The driving experience should also be improved by the larger battery pack.
The automaker didn’t say how much extra capacity it would add, but a jump from the current 20kWh to the 22.7kWh capacity announced last year for Europe seems likely.
Don’t expect the same 53-mile official range estimate the Euro model gets; the test is much different over there. Do expect more than the 38-mile current EPA figure. Think 42-43 miles, which would keep its position as the three-row PHEV with the most range.
Mitsubishi hasn’t announced full specs or pricing just yet. The 2026 model year Outlanders are expected at dealers in the fourth quarter of 2025, and pricing will come closer to launch.
