Mitsubishi Is Gearing Up to Take On Toyota and Subaru in the Soft-Roader SUV Wars

The RAV4 Woodland and Outback Wilderness may have a new rival on the horizon.

Front grille and headlight of a white Mitsubishi vehicle with mud splatters on the bumper and grille.

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Published June 3, 2026

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Nowadays, off-roading and overlanding seem more popular than ever. However, not everyone can dump a ton of money into a dedicated off-roader or a custom-built overlanding van.

It’s part of the reason why automakers have started offering more rugged variants of some of their most popular crossover SUVs. Now, Mitsubishi is reportedly joining the spiced-up soft-roader CUV party with its Outlander.

A potential stepping stone to the Montero’s possible revival in America

White Mitsubishi SUV with roof cargo box and rear-mounted bicycle driving on a forest trail. — Mitsubishi could be prepping an even more rugged version of its Outlander.

Word comes from CarSales, which recently spoke with some regional Mitsubishi executives. During the discussion, the Japanese automaker disclosed that it’s currently preparing a more rugged version of the Outlander.

The model would essentially be a beefed-up version of the top-selling crossover SUV. The idea also includes porting over some of the upgrades and themes from Mitsubishi’s recent Triton Raider, or the more off-road-biased variant of its global pickup.

White SUV with roof cargo box and two mountain bikes mounted on a rear bike rack driving on a dirt road in a grassy hilly area. — Mitsubishi recently launched the Outlander Trail Edition in 2025 for North America.

The Japanese automaker is reportedly consulting Australia-based Premcar for those upgrades. It’s the same engineering firm that also teamed up with Nissan to develop their rugged enthusiast-grade Warrior variants.

But what’s more enticing, at least for us Yanks, is that this rugged Outlander may have a chance of venturing beyond the Australian market.

White Mitsubishi SUV with black roof rack parked in a dense forest with tall trees. — Although aimed at outdoor enthusiasts, the Outlander Trail Edition only boasts subtle modes and accessories.

That’s because we also get the Outlander on our shores. Should such a prospect come to fruition, it would challenge the likes of the Toyota RAV4 Woodland and the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, as well as the Subaru Outback and Forester Wilderness models.

Reconnecting with its four-wheeling heritage

Close-up of a rugged off-road tire and a black mudflap with partially visible "OUTLA" text on a dirt surface. — The supposed more rugged Outlander could go beyond the light mods of the Trail Edition.

Toyota and Nissan are likely some of the first automakers to come to mind when thinking of the ultimate Japanese four-wheelers. After all, they’re responsible for the Land Cruiser and the Patrol (the Armada in the United States).

But Mitsubishi has always been in the running with the Pajero (Shogun in Europe, Montero in America). All three make up what I like to call the Japanese four-wheeler trifecta.

Orange camping tent pitched on grass near two SUVs and a small black and red camper trailer in a forest clearing. — Should an Outlander Raider happen, there’s a chance it could come to the States, since we get the same model as everyone else.

While Toyota typically steals the limelight, Mitsubishi is actually the brand that has a much more storied past in the off-roading space. Especially when it comes to rallying.

So, it’s unsurprising that Mitsubishi is starting to lean back into its off-roading heritage here in America. The brand has been something of a non-presence for the better part of the last decade, but it’s now looking to change that.

Availability and pricing

The Outlander is currently on sale in America and is one of Mitsubishi’s best-sellers. The Japanese automaker recently introduced the Trail Edition, but it’s not much more than an accessorized appearance package. The supposed Outlander Raider may introduce the beefier off-road upgrades overlanders seek.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition

Starts at $39,645

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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