It is no secret that Mitsubishi – at least in America – is but a shadow of a shadow of its former self. No, that wasn't a typo; we fully believe that's the case with this once beloved and glorious Japanese automaker.
Think about it for a second. They had a little over 28k sales during the first three months of the year in America, and although it's a good raise of more than 35% compared to the same period of 2023, it's a spec of dust compared to some of its other peers. Heck, even Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) jumped 13.3% to over 100k sales during the January to March period!
Unlike Mazda, though, which has a fresh lineup, especially in the crossover SUV department if we think about the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90, Mitsubishi doesn't have anything to show for itself other than the eternal success of the Outlander compact crossover SUV. But even that one can't bear the entire burden alone.
Mitsubishi is said to be ready to terminate the affordable Mirage series, the Outlander Sport is a geriatric crossover SUV, and the quirky Eclipse Cross is not exactly too popular either. As such, it all hangs around the neck of the Outlander. Luckily, we are mostly certain the Japanese automaker will do the right thing by it soon, and as part of the Momentum 2030 strategy, they will bring out a facelifted version for the 2025 or 2026 model year.
The fourth generation Mitsubishi Outlander, currently retailing in the United States from $28,395 or $40,345 if you select the Outlander with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, has been around since 2021, and it's about high time the company implemented some thoughtful changes. No worries, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is always ready and willing to propose solutions – and the Halo oto channel on YouTube usually provides fresh automotive info corroborated with their virtual designs; now, there are new CGI ideas regarding the refreshed Outlander for the 2025 model year.
Obviously, the resident pixel master didn't have to think hard about the changes – together with the channel's host, they just chose the all-new sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton mid-size pickup truck (also known as L200 in other markets) for inspiration, hence the borrowed front fascia. Moving inside, though, there are more extensive hypothetical changes – the unofficial design project features a larger central infotainment screen arranged in a seamless panel with a wider digital instrument cluster, there are new colors and materials, as well as a reworked climate control system.
So, what do you think? Should Mitsubishi kick off the Momentum 2030 strategic plan with a refreshed 2025 or 2026 Outlander because it's their top asset across North America, or should they start with an all-new first-ever model as they promised an expansion into completely new segments?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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