Tested: 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Great Value, But Is It Worth the Price Tag?

The word “flagship” typically evokes thoughts of a sleek sedan or a high-end, full-size SUV. But at Mitsubishi, the meaning takes a slightly different turn. The Japanese automaker designates the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander a compact SUV operating in one of the most competitive mainstream segments—as its flagship model. When you compare it to the rest of Mitsubishi’s lineup available in our market, the reasoning behind that choice becomes clear.

HIGHS: Comfortable and refined cabin, standard third-row seating, impressively quiet ride.

Completely redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Outlander remains the only vehicle in Mitsubishi’s current U.S. portfolio that can be considered even moderately competitive in its class. It presents a stylish appearance both inside and out, and it features a relatively advanced plug-in hybrid system that delivers more all-electric driving range than many of its competitors. As Mitsubishi’s best-selling model, it makes sense that the company is spotlighting the series of subtle yet meaningful updates included in the Outlander’s 2025 mid-cycle refresh.

Under the surface, not much has changed. The Outlander continues to share its platform with the Nissan Rogue and still relies—at least in its base form—on an aging Nissan-sourced four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, the 2025 update brings a host of enhancements: refreshed front and rear styling, a boost in standard features, refined suspension tuning, improved sound insulation, and two new Yamaha-designed audio systems offering up to 12 speakers and a powerful 1650 watts. It’s important to note that these upgrades apply only to the gasoline-powered 2025 Outlander—the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version will receive the same updates for the 2026 model year.

Say what you will about the Outlander’s bold and divisive front-end design—there’s no denying it stands out. The generous use of chrome trim and the attractive 20-inch wheels (18-inch wheels on base ES models) give it a more upscale presence than rivals like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. We tested an upper-trim SEL model equipped with the Premium package and found that the cabin’s level of refinement matched the SUV’s premium exterior. Soft-touch materials on the dashboard, quilted leather upholstery, and detailed knurled switchgear all contribute to a comfortable and sophisticated interior. The Yamaha sound system’s upgraded speaker design also adds a touch of visual flair. Even with limited time behind the wheel, we’d place the Outlander’s cabin quality among the best in the compact SUV category.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander has one more standout feature in its interior: a standard third-row seat. With the Volkswagen Tiguan set to eliminate its third-row option for 2025, the Outlander will soon be the only compact SUV in its class capable of seating seven. That said, even Mitsubishi acknowledges that the rearmost seats are intended for “occasional use”—which is a polite way of saying they’re best suited for children, and even then, only for short trips.

 

Fortunately, the second-row seats offer ample comfort for adults and can slide forward and backward to accommodate a variety of passenger and cargo needs. While cargo space behind the third row is minimal—just enough for two carry-on suitcases—folding that row down significantly expands the available room, making space for up to 10 carry-ons behind the second row.

The Outlander’s composed, middle-of-the-road driving character continues to align well with its comfortable interior. When driven at a relaxed pace, it feels impressively quiet and refined by compact SUV standards. While the updated suspension components—including revised dampers, springs, and bushings—didn’t yield any immediately noticeable improvements, the added sound insulation clearly helps to maintain cabin serenity, even if our decibel readings showed little change compared to the 2022 model. That said, the 20-inch wheels on our well-equipped SEL test model did transmit some jarring impacts over larger bumps and potholes.

LOWS: Underwhelming engine, vague handling, high prices when fully loaded.

As before, the Outlander isn’t a standout when it comes to handling. While its skidpad grip and braking numbers remain competitive for the segment, its soft brake pedal and imprecise steering don’t inspire much confidence during spirited driving. Not that you’ll be doing much of that, anyway.

Unlike its Nissan Rogue sibling—which now features a modern turbocharged three-cylinder engine with variable compression—Mitsubishi sticks with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four producing 181 horsepower. That figure feels underwhelming for a vehicle of this size, and the engine has to work hard to move the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander with any urgency. In our testing, it took 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph, slower than most rivals and 0.3 second behind the 2022 model we previously tested. The 2025 version’s 82-pound weight gain likely plays a role in that performance dip. Still, the Outlander managed to hit its EPA-estimated 30 mpg during our 75-mph highway fuel economy loop.

On the pricing front, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offers reasonable value at the entry level, starting just above $31,000. However, the top-tier trims can climb well into the $40,000s—our fully loaded test vehicle rang in at $45,930. While that price includes plenty of features, it’s hard to ignore that other competitors—like the Mazda CX-50—offer significantly more performance for similar money.

Ultimately, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander doesn’t catapult Mitsubishi to the top of the compact SUV rankings, but it holds its own respectably. It’s more refined and comfortable than many might expect from the brand, and its availability of a third-row seat gives it a unique edge for buyers who want extra passenger capacity without stepping up to a mid-size SUV.

VERDICT: The Outlander holds its place as a solid mid-tier compact SUV, with its rare inclusion of a third-row seat standing out as its most distinctive feature.