2025 Mitsubishi Outlander First Drive Review + Video

If a full-figured family hauler isn’t explicitly necessary but an extra set of seats would be helpful now and then, your options aren’t exactly abundant.

However, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is an intriguing choice — and not just because there aren’t many others like it. No, it won’t work if you’ve got more than a couple kids — or at least more than a couple you actually like — but when their teammates need a ride to soccer practice or the in-laws are in town, the bonus bench in the back is an invaluable addition that most crossovers this size go without. Equally beneficial is the cargo space that exists with the rearmost row stashed in the floor, not to mention the second-row seats that are more spacious than the ones in a rival like the best-selling Toyota RAV4.

After a few years on the market in its current form the Outlander has been updated, albeit subtly, with some styling tweaks inside and out to go with a few new features and a more refined ride. More importantly, this Mitsubishi remains competitively priced amongst compact crossovers and three-row entries alike, leaving it to occupy a unique position with an appeal almost all its own.

A Small Segment

There aren’t many crossovers this size with an extra set of seats in the back, with the Outlander joined by the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and its corporate cousin, the Kia Sorento. That’s it. Even then, both of those are slightly larger than the Outlander, making this one something of a rarity. (The Volkswagen Tiguan was previously available with an optional third row, but it was scrapped as part of its 2025 update.)

What makes the Outlander unique is that it squeezes seven seats inside a footprint that can still be classified as that of a compact crossover. At 4,710 mm (185.4 in) from bumper to bumper, the Outlander splits the difference between the RAV4 and Sorento, as does its 1,014 mm (39.9 in) of second-row legroom. And while the rearmost row doesn’t quite deliver what you’d describe as the lap of luxury, the ability to slide the ones in front fore and aft means the space can be divided between them when necessary.

When the split-folding third-row seats aren’t in use, the 866 L of cargo room that’s listed on the spec sheet is less than what’s in the RAV4 (1,059 L), but the space itself looks and feels about as generous. Meanwhile, the second-row seats can be stowed using handles just inside the tailgate to open up a total of 1,822 L of space. Again, that’s less than what’s in the RAV4 (1,977 L), but not enough to put the Outlander at a noticeable disadvantage when loading it with camping gear or furniture.

Same Bold Styling

While the 2025 Outlander has been updated, you’ll be forgiven if you can’t tell it apart from its predecessor. Some tweaks to the grille and front bumper, as well as new wheel designs across the lineup and a smoked tail light treatment is about all that sets it apart from last year’s model. (The shade of Moonstone Grey Metallic paint seen here is also a new addition.) But then this remains one of the segment’s standouts in terms of styling, with a bold fascia that features big lights and brightwork.

In spite of how in-your-face it manages to be, the Outlander is equal parts inoffensive. The few creases in the sheet metal don’t make it look unnecessarily muscular, while the new 20-inch wheels fill out the wheel arches without being too flashy. While others in the segment look a bit more brutish through the use of extra body cladding and other off-road-inspired elements, the Outlander remains as stylish as ever even after four years on the market.

An Upscale Experience

The cabin has more notable — and noticeable — changes, with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen replacing the eight-inch unit from last year, while Android Auto is now wireless, as is Apple CarPlay. (Previously, only the latter worked without a hard connection.) The top GT Premium trim also gets a couple Mitsubishi-first features: ventilated front seats, and a camera-based rearview mirror.

There’s also a new brown leather upholstery shown here that looks and feels better than most stuff in the segment, with diamond quilting on the first and second-row seats and door panels. (The third-row seats are rather plain and feature tall headrests that look like they were made for the Coneheads.) The centre console has also been reconfigured, with new controls as well as cup holders that sit slightly askew of one another to accommodate two large drinks without issue.

And then there’s the audio experience that’s been upgraded across the lineup with the help of the so-called sound meisters at Yamaha. The reality is that you’ll need an especially acute ear to tell the eight- and 12-speaker units apart from rival stereos; however, the sound quality is impressive, as are the two companies’ claims of the lengths engineers went to in developing the systems to compensate for outside interference, including from the windshield wipers.

Better Driving Dynamics

The powertrain is unchanged from before, with the same 2.5L four-cylinder gas engine under the hood that makes 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. That’s paired with an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), as well as standard all-wheel drive. (The plug-in hybrid version that can travel an estimated 61 km with its battery fully charged is unchanged for 2025 but will likely get the same updates as the gas-only version next year.)

Tweaks and changes to the stuff you can’t see include a retuned electric power steering system, as well as new damping and spring rates for the suspension. Taken together, the Outlander is a smooth and competent cruiser, although the 20-inch wheels the SEL, GT, and GT Premium trims ride on lead to a few too many disruptions from pressure cracks and potholes at city speeds. However, body roll is minimal even when traversing tightly winding roads at faster speeds than advised for a crossover like this one, while it delivers a hassle-free experience on the highway.

While different drive modes can be selected via the dial on the centre console, none of them is enough to add much excitement to the on-road experience — and that’s perfectly fine. Engine output is more than adequate, and while the transmission can be caught napping on occasion when calling for a bit more passing power, a quick downshift or two through the simulated gears using the left side steering wheel paddle will spike the revs enough to get around slower moving traffic.

Priced to Compete

Looking at their gas-only trims, the Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $44,549 and ranges up to $56,849, while the Kia Sorento is priced between $41,095 and $54,595 before tax. Then there are slightly larger models that are still small by midsize standards like the Subaru Ascent that’s priced from $48,290 to $58,290, and the Toyota Highlander that goes for $52,140 in its cheapest version and tops out at $59,841. (All prices include freight.)

That makes the 2025 Outlander a downright bargain, with a starting price of $37,648 before tax but including a non-negotiable freight charge of $2,050. From there, there’s the SE trim that’s $40,348 before tax, while the LE is $3,000 more. The SEL trim rings in at $46,048, while the GT is $48,548, and the range-topping GT Premium is $49,548. (For what it’s worth, that’s $1,000 to $2,600 more than last year, depending on trim.)

That means the Outlander is competitively priced even next to conventional compact crossovers with seating for five, with the Toyota RAV4 priced between $35,485 and $47,105 in gas-only guise, while the Subaru Forester starts at $35,790 and goes up to $47,290. Then there’s the Chevrolet Equinox that’s $37,999 to $42,799 with all-wheel drive but without options that are included elsewhere; and, of course, the list goes on, with similarly sized entries from every single brand on the market. No matter which one you look at, this Mitsubishi is right in the mix as far as asking price is concerned.

Final Thoughts

The changes to the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander may be minimal, but then it didn’t really need much in the first place. It’s smooth and fairly comfortable on the road, comes with a few extra features than before, and remains competitively priced in spite of the increase that comes with it. Now factor in the flexibility it offers with the extra seats in the back, and the Outlander just might be the ticket if you need a part-time seven-seater that delivers full-time value.