2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Sporting bold styling and standard all-wheel drive, the 2026 Outlander Sport is Mitsubishi’s compact SUV designed for city-friendly driving. The baby crossover is the brand’s most affordable option, but its aging design and limited features make it less competitive in a crowded segment.
Subcompact SUV rivals include the Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Kicks, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek.
What’s New
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport returns unchanged from last year. Despite a 2020 refresh, it hasn't seen a full redesign since its 2011 debut. Its last updates in 2024 added a Trail Edition (which returns this year), free limited maintenance, a new SEL trim, and rear seat alert.
What We Think
Mitsubishi’s most affordable model, the Outlander Sport, is a compact SUV that fits well in tight urban spaces and offers easy maneuverability for city dwellers. It’s one of the brand’s longest-running models, but although its size and price are appealing, there are notable drawbacks that limit its overall appeal.
Styling-wise, it still carries the familiar Mitsubishi design language, and the available Trail Edition adds rugged touches for a more adventurous look. Mitsubishi also sweetens the deal with two years of complimentary limited maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs.
Unfortunately, the Outlander Sport shows its age. The cabin design feels dated, materials are basic, and lower trims are especially sparse on modern tech and comfort features. Fuel efficiency is unimpressive for the class, and safety ratings lag behind competitors.
For shoppers in this price range, it’s worth cross-shopping alternatives like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V, which offer better refinement, more features, and stronger safety credentials.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The Outlander Sport offers two engine choices. Lower trims come with a 2.0-liter inline-four making 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims upgrade to a 2.4-liter engine with 168 hp and 167 lb-ft. All-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup.
Not that we’ve needed to, but it’s been a few years since we’ve tested the Outlander Sport. A 2018 model with the larger engine sprinted to 60 mph in an unimpressive 8.5 seconds. A 2015 Outlander Sport with the smaller engine was even slower, needing 9.0 seconds to hit 60 mph.
In comparison, the 2026 Corolla Cross comes with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive models go from 0 to 60 mph in a decent 8.4 seconds, while all-wheel-drive versions lag behind at 9.3 seconds.
MPGs and Range
Both engines get similar fuel economy. The Outlander Sport returns 23/29 mpg city/highway with the 2.0-liter engine and as much as 411 miles of range. With the bigger 2.4-liter mill, highway mileage drops to 28 mpg, and the Mitsubishi can go up to only 395 miles.
The Corolla Cross gets notably better fuel economy, which ins’t a surprise given that it’s a Toyota. It returns 31/33 mpg with FWD and 29/31 mpg with AWD. It’s also available with an even more efficient hybrid powertrain.
Safety Ratings and Features
Safety testing results could be better. IIHS ratings are incomplete for the 2025 model, but NHTSA gives the small crossover a four-star overall safety, shy of the five-star top award.
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping
- Automatic high-beams
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Standard cargo capacity compares favorably to the also small CX-30 and Crosstrek, but once the backseat is folded there’s more space in the Subaru (Mazda does not disclose maximum cargo space for the CX-30). Outlander Sport legroom is virtually identical to the CX-30, too.
Technology
Infotainment
Features included with the base model consist of a 7.0-inch touchscreen and a single USB port. An 8.0-inch infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is unlocked with the trim just above the entry-level grade. A wireless phone charger is not available with any model.
Sound System
The base model is outfitted with a four-speaker system. All other grades receive a six-speaker setup.
Available Upgrades
The Outlander Sport can be equipped with heated front seats, pushbutton start, and universal garage door opener. Available upscale styling touches include leather-trimmed upholstery and racy red stitching on the parking brake lever, steering wheel, and shifter.
Value
Standard Features
The Outlander Sport offers the benefits of a city car, namely small dimensions and decent fuel economy. It’s also very affordable. Most of the features buyers want are standard on models above the entry-level trim, though.
Recommended Trim
The Trail Edition offers the most personality. It’s standard with all-wheel drive and also scores the leather-trimmed interior and red stitching, as well as a hood protector and front, rear, and side protectors from the Trail package.
