Mitsubishi Outlander

Generations of Mitsubishi Outlander

The catalogue lists 9 generations. Dates overlap, so pick by calendar window and by what the facelift actually changed in the numbers, not by the word “new.”

The catalogue lists 9 generations. Dates overlap, so pick by calendar window and by what the facelift actually changed in the numbers, not by the word “new.”

1 generation (2002-04 to 2009-02) is the only Outlander with 195 mm ground clearance and 4-speed Automatic. Power runs 136–160 hp. Mixed consumption, where measured, is 9.4–10.1 l/100 km. This is the generation to buy only if you want the lightest 2.0-litre AWD 2.0 MT (1475 kg) or the 160 hp 2.4 MT.

2 generation (2005-10 to 2009-12) raises clearance to 215 mm on petrol cars (200 mm on Diesel) and adds the first 3.0 AT (220 hp, 276 Nm). Diesel 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT (140 hp, 310 Nm, Turbo) and 2.2 MT / 2.2 DSG (156 hp, 380 Nm, Turbo) appear here. Ground clearance on those Diesels is 200 mm, 15 mm below the petrol 215 mm.

2 generation, restyling (2010-01 to 2013-01) keeps 215 mm on petrol and drops Diesel clearance to 185 mm (30 mm below petrol). Petrol 3.0 AT rises from 220 to 223 hp. Diesel 2.3 MT 177 hp (78.0 hp/l) is the densest Diesel in the family. Mixed 2.0 CVT AWD is 8.3 l/100 km versus 9.3–9.4 on 2.4 CVT.

3 generation (2012-10 to 2014-04) is the first 215 mm Diesel and petrol on most versions, except the Diesels stay Euro 5. 2.0 MT FWD kerb 1380 kg is the lightest Outlander in the entire data set. 3.0 AT jumps to 230 hp. Plug-in 2.0 AT 121 hp arrives at 1885 kg.

3 generation, restyling (2014-01 to 2016-11) is the widest third-wave menu (10 versions). Tank on most petrol cars is 63 l (was 60 l). 2.3 AT Diesel 150 hp / 380 Nm is the only Diesel with Variable in this window. Plug-in is named 2.0 CVT 121 hp, FWD, mixed 1.9 l/100 km.

3 generation, restyling 2 (2015-06 to 2019-01) is the generation to buy if you want Diesel and Euro 6: 2.3 MT FWD/AWD and 2.3 AT AWD. Ground clearance on those three Diesels is 190 mm, 25 mm below the 215 mm petrol cars. Two different 3.0 AT cars share the name: 230 hp / 292 Nm / Euro 4 and 227 hp / 291 Nm / Euro 5. 2.4 CVT AWD here is the fastest 2.4 in the third wave (10.2 s, 198 km/h).

3 generation, restyling 3 (2018-08 to 2022-01) drops Diesel entirely. Five versions, all 215 mm, tank 60 l, Euro 5 where measured. Plug-in is renamed 2.4 AT PHEV (224 hp, 1900 kg).

4 generation (2021-02 to 2025-01) is a different arithmetic: 1.5 i CVT and 1.5 i CVT 4WD 215 hp from 1500 cc (143.3 hp/l), tank 55 l, clearance 211 mm. Plug-in 2.4 i 4WD PHEV 252 hp / 450 Nm, kerb 2010 kg, mixed 6.2 l/100 km, clearance 195 mm. 0–100 and top speed on every fourth-generation version except later restyling cars are not measured.

4 generation, restyling 1 (2024-09, still current) is the one to buy if you want a measured sprint on a Plug-in: 2.4 306 hp, 7.9 s, mixed 0.8 l/100 km, tank 53 l, kerb 2070 kg. Ground clearance on all four restyling-1 versions is not measured.

Engines and specs

Exact catalogue names. Duplicate names are split by power, drive, torque, or gearbox as the data requires.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): 1.5 i CVT 143.3; restyling-1 2.4 Plug-in 129.7; restyling-1 1.5 CVT 116.1; 2.4 i 4WD PHEV 106.8; 2.4 AT PHEV 94.9; 2.3 MT 177 hp 78.0; 3.0 AT 230 hp 76.7; 2.0 CVT 150 hp 75.1; 2.4 CVT 167 hp 70.8; first-generation 2.4 AT 139 hp 59.1. The extra 362 cc from 1998 to 2360 on a 150-to-167 hp pair buys 17 hp, i.e. 47 hp per extra litre — less dense than staying on the 2.0.

Performance and economy (mpg-style litres)

0–100 km/h, where measured. Fastest petrol six: 3.0 AT 227/230 hp in 3 generation / restyling 2 / restyling 3 — 8.7 s, 205 km/h. Fastest Plug-in: restyling-1 2.4 — 7.9 s, 170 km/h (35 km/h slower on top than the 3.0). Fastest Diesel: 2 generation, restyling 2.3 MT FWD 9.7 s / AWD 9.8 s, 200 km/h; 3 generation 2.3 MT AWD 10.2 s. Slowest measured: restyling 3 2.0 CVT AWD 13.3 s.

AWD versus FWD on the same 2.0 CVT 150 hp in restyling 3: FWD 12.1 s and 192 km/h, AWD 13.3 s and 190 km/h — AWD costs 1.2 s and 2 km/h. On restyling 146 hp: FWD 11.5 s / 190 km/h, AWD 12.0 s / 185 km/h. Manual versus Variable on 3 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp FWD (10.6 s) versus 2.0 CVT 150 hp FWD (12.4 s): the Manual is 1.8 s quicker.

Mixed consumption, lowest to highest among measured cars: restyling-1 2.4 Plug-in 0.8; restyling 2.0 CVT 121 Plug-in 1.9; 3 generation 2.3 MT FWD Diesel 4.8; restyling 2 2.3 MT FWD 5.1 / AWD 5.3; 2.3 AT Diesel 5.8; 2 generation 2.0 MT Diesel 6.7; restyling 3 2.0 CVT FWD 7.1; restyling 3 2.4 CVT 7.8; restyling 3 3.0 AT 8.9; 2 generation 3.0 AT 10.6. City/highway on restyling 3 2.0 CVT FWD: 8.2 / 6.5; AWD: 8.7 / 6.7. 3.0 AT city 12.2 is 4.0 l/100 km above that FWD 2.0 in town.

Not measured (do not treat as “no such figure”): all 0–100 and top speed on 4 generation (seven versions); mixed on restyling 3 2.4 AT PHEV; city/highway on every Plug-in except where mixed is given; 2 generation 2.4 MT 6 FWD 0–100, top speed, and all three consumptions; 1 generation several 2.0 AT / 2.4 AT 142 hp rows. CO2 is not measured on every version in the data.

Fuel grade: 92 on most third-wave 2.0/2.4 petrol and restyling-1 petrol/Plug-in; 95 on 3.0 AT from restyling 2 onward, on 2 generation petrol, and on 4 generation 1.5/2.5. Diesel versions use Diesel.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance is the cheapest filter. 215 mm: 2 generation petrol, all 3 generation petrol and most 3 generation Diesel except restyling 2 Diesel at 190 mm. 195 mm: entire 1 generation, plus 4 generation 2.4 i 4WD PHEV. 211 mm: 4 generation petrol. 200 mm: 2 generation Diesel. 185 mm: 2 generation, restyling Diesel. Restyling 1 clearance: not measured.

Kerb weight extremes: lightest 3 generation 2.0 MT 1380 kg (9.20 kg/hp). Heaviest 4 generation, restyling 1 2.4 2070 kg — yet 6.76 kg/hp, the lowest kg/hp in the data, because 306 hp is on board. Restyling 3 3.0 AT 1580 kg / 227 hp = 6.96 kg/hp, within 0.20 kg/hp of that Plug-in. Restyling 3 2.0 CVT FWD 1475 kg / 9.83 kg/hp; AWD adds 65 kg (1540). 2.4 AT PHEV 1900 kg is 360 kg above the 2.4 CVT (1585 kg) for +57 hp and the same 10.5 s to 100 km/h.

Gross: restyling 3 2.0 CVT FWD 2160 kg, 3.0 AT 2270 kg, 2.4 AT PHEV 2390 kg. Payload (gross − kerb) on restyling 3: FWD 2.0 685 kg, 2.4 CVT 625 kg, 3.0 AT 690 kg, PHEV 490 kg. 4 generation petrol gross 2355 kg with kerb 1600–1685 kg leaves 670–755 kg. Restyling-1 2.4 payload 2665 − 2070 = 595 kg.

Tank: 63 l on 2 generation, restyling and on 3 generation restyling / restyling 2 petrol; 60 l on 1 generation, 2 generation, 3 generation launch, restyling 3; 55 l on 4 generation petrol and restyling-1 petrol; 53 l on restyling-1 2.4; not measured on 4 generation 2.4 i 4WD PHEV.

Wheels, where listed: third-wave 215/70 R16 and 225/55 R18 (FWD restyling 3 also 215/55 R18); 4 generation 235/65 R18 or 235/60 R18 with 255/45 R20. Most 1–2 generation wheel sizes are not measured.

SUV 5-doors is the body on every generation that states it.

Which version to choose

Buy 3 generation, restyling 3 2.0 CVT FWD 150 hp if the job is commuting on 92, Euro 5, 215 mm, and the lowest mixed petrol figure of that facelift (7.1). You give up AWD (65 kg and 1.2 s) and 17 hp versus 2.4 CVT.

Buy the same generation 2.0 CVT AWD 150 hp if AWD is non-negotiable and you will not pay the 3.0’s 12.2 city litres. Mixed 7.4 is 0.3 above FWD.

Buy 2.4 CVT 167 hp AWD (restyling 3 or earlier third-wave) when 10.5 s and 198 km/h (restyling 3) matter more than 0.7 l/100 km mixed versus the FWD 2.0. Restyling 2 2.4 CVT is the 2.4 to prefer on a stopwatch: 10.2 s, 198 km/h, kerb 1505 kg — 80 kg lighter than restyling 3’s 1585 kg.

Buy 3.0 AT when the number that matters is 8.7 s / 205 km/h / ~7 kg/hp. Prefer 230 hp / 292 Nm (3 generation and restyling; restyling 2 Euro 4 twin) over 227 hp / 291 Nm (restyling 2 Euro 5 and restyling 3): same 8.7 s, 3 hp and 1 Nm more, same mixed 8.9. Fuel is 95 from restyling 2; 3 generation 3.0 AT 230 hp lists 92. City 12.2 is the petrol penalty: 3.1 l/100 km above restyling 3 2.4 CVT in town.

Buy Diesel only in 3 generation or restyling 2 if you want 215 mm or 190 mm with 380 Nm. 3 generation 2.3 MT FWD is the economy champion among combustion cars (mixed 4.8, 10.3 s, 200 km/h, 1495 kg). 2.3 MT AWD is 0.6 l mixed higher and 85 kg heavier, 0.1 s quicker. Restyling 2 Diesels are Euro 6 but sit at 190 mm and 1470 kg; 2.3 AT there is 360 Nm not 380, 11.6 s, mixed 5.8. Restyling 2.3 AT (Variable, boost No in the data) mixed 5.8, 11.7 s, 1610 kg — heavier and slower than the Manual Diesels. 2 generation, restyling 2.3 MT 177 hp is the Diesel to buy for power (78.0 hp/l, 9.7–9.8 s) if you accept 185 mm.

Buy a Plug-in only after reading the gap in measured economy. Restyling 2.0 CVT 121 hp mixed 1.9 is the only third-wave Plug-in with a mixed figure. Restyling 3 2.4 AT PHEV 224 hp matches 2.4 CVT at 10.5 s but tops out at 170 km/h, weighs 1900 kg, and mixed/city/highway/Euro class are not measured. 4 generation 2.4 i 4WD PHEV 252 hp / 450 Nm mixed 6.2 — higher than the old 1.9 figure — 0–100 not measured, tank not measured. Restyling-1 2.4 306 hp is the Plug-in to buy for a measured 7.9 s and mixed 0.8, knowing 170 km/h, 2070 kg, 53 l, clearance not measured.

Buy 4 generation 1.5 i CVT / 1.5 i CVT 4WD 215 hp if specific output is the point (143.3 hp/l) and you accept 0–100, top speed, consumption, and eco class all not measured. FWD and 4WD share 1600 kg and 211 mm; the extra money for 4WD does not show up as extra weight in this data. Restyling-1 1.5 CVT 174 hp Turbo is slower on paper where measured (9.7 s, 190 km/h, mixed 8.7) — 41 hp less than the pre-facelift 1.5, 70 kg heavier.

Buy 4 generation 2.5 i CVT 191 hp over 2.5 i CVT 181 hp when both are FWD, same 1630 kg: +10 hp, +4 Nm, same wheels. 2.5 i S-AWC CVT 187 hp is the AWD 2.5 with a unique name; 2.5 i 4WD is 181 hp. Restyling-1 2.5 i 16V CVT / 2.5 i 16V CVT 4WD 181 hp: AWD adds 55 kg and 0.4 l mixed (8.7 vs 9.1); 0–100 not measured.

Buy 2 generation, restyling 2.4 MT AWD 170 hp if you want a Manual and a measured 9.6 s (same 9.6 s as 2 generation 2.4 MT 5 AWD). Mixed 9.4 versus third-wave 2.4 CVT 7.7–7.9: the third wave saves about 1.5–1.7 l/100 km. 2.0 MT FWD 147 hp 10.8 s mixed 8.1 is the cheap-to-run second-wave petrol if AWD is not required.

Buy 1 generation 2.4 MT 160 hp if 9.9 s / 200 km/h on a 195 mm car is enough and you want Manual 5. 2.4 AT 160 AWD is 1.3 s slower (11.2 s) and mixed 10.1 versus 9.7. Skip 2.4 AT 139 hp (12.3 s, 169 km/h, 59.1 hp/l) unless the 4-speed Automatic is the only constraint.

Reliability as the data allows it: every engine listed is naturally aspirated except the Turbo Diesels (2 generation / restyling 2.0, 2.2, 2.3; restyling 2 2.3) and restyling-1 1.5 CVT Turbo. Boost None on 4 generation petrol is not the same label as No. Eco class: Euro 6 only on restyling 2 Diesels; Euro 5 on restyling 3 petrol and 3 generation Diesels plus 2 generation restyling Diesels; Euro 4 on most other third- and second-wave petrol. Plug-in eco class is not measured except restyling 2.0 CVT 121 hp Euro 4.

Problems the numbers flag before a test drive: restyling 3 PHEV has no consumption; 4 generation petrol has almost no performance sheet; first-generation Automatics have almost no 0–100; 2 generation 2.4 MT 6 FWD is a name without kerb, sprint, or mpg; AWD on a 2.0 Variable is consistently slower and thirstier than FWD by 0.3–0.7 l mixed and 0.5–1.2 s. Choose the generation first by clearance and tank, then the version by the stopwatch and the litre — those two columns are what the catalogue actually measured.