Overview

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has detailed the latest round of updates to its popular Outlander SUV range, the MY25 facelift adding important technology styling, and suspension changes from $39,990 plus on-road costs – or between $2250 and $2950 more than before depending on grade.

On sale now, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander range features a localised ride, handling and steering tune that sees changes to the vehicles ESP mapping and new suspension components – including front and rear shock absorbers, a smaller diameter front anti-roll bar – designed to complement a newly specified (and quieter) Bridgestone tyre package.

Further changes see updates to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), including a new isolator for the transmission tunnel and a steel bonnet among 18 structural points amended to “address and enhance the passenger experience”.

Outlander passengers are also likely to enjoy the model’s newly adopted Yamaha Dynamic Sound system available in two package grades across the range: the higher-end package offering 1650 watts of power for a “greater immersive experience”.

Visually, the updated Outlander is characterised by what MMAL calls a “more streamlined presence”. It says, “both the front and rear sections have been updated with particular attention paid to the bumper sections and lower garnish, creating a modern look while improving aerodynamics”.

The revision also sees the Outlander updated to offer smoked tail-lights alongside LED rear indicators and reversing lights.

Other exterior changes include updated alloy wheel designs ranging from 18-inches in diameter on ES and LS grades, to 20-inches on Aspire, Exceed, and Exceed Tourer (tested).

Paint colours include White (solid), Cosmic Blue (pearlescent), Graphite Grey and Sterling Silver (metallic), or Black, Red or White Diamond (prestige) finishes.

Aspire and Exceed grades are further available in Moonstone Grey (prestige), while Exceed Tourer variants are offered in two-tone White Diamond, Moonstone Grey, or Graphite Grey with a contrasting Black Mica roof, or Black Diamond with a Sterling Silver roof.

Moving back inside the cabin, we find a newly revised centre console with improved armrest and more spacious storage bin, and further back new second-row seat padding to improve support.

Further, MMAL says the five- or seven-seat Outlander cabin features “higher quality materials” throughout with “ornate stitching being a particular highlight”, noting that all over headlighting is now of the touch-capacity activated LED type.

Interior trim options see the ES and LS grades continue with black cloth, the Aspire with Granlux artificial leather, the Exceed with leather in black or grey, and the Exceed Tourer in Brick Brown premium semi-aniline leather.

Important technological additions (fitted to LS grades and above) include Mitsubishi Connect app functionality with SOS emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, break-down assistance, anti-theft notification, curfew alert, geofencing alert, speed alert, and tow-away notifications.

Remote convenience features include app-based climate control synchronisation (including schedular and start function), remote start and steering wheel heater (where fitted), remote light and horn operation, remote lock/unlock, door lock reminder, vehicle finder, distance tracker, destination send-to-car, navigation to destination, account assistance, and Google Maps.

The changes come as part of a broader on-board technology update that now sees the Outlander fitted with 12.3-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, an updated (larger) wireless device charging pad, wireless Android Auto connectivity (in addition to already standard wireless Apple CarPlay), and additional USB-C outlets.

Added safety technologies include refinements to the Outlander’s haptic brake warning, blind spot intervention, and lane departure prevention systems on top of added or improved driver monitoring system, camera-link rear automatic braking, 360-degree camera technology, frameless interior rear-view mirror with digital monitor (Exceed and Exceed Tourer only), and traffic sign recognition with active cruise control and speed limiter link.

All Mitsubishi Outlander petrol models continue to be powered by Mitsubishi’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 135kW of power and 244Nm or torque. A continually variable transmission features as standard in conjunction with front- or all-wheel driveline configuration.

MMAL quotes a combined cycle fuel consumption number of between 7.5- and 8.1 litres per 100km depending on variant.

As before, all Outlander variants are covered by Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km new vehicle warranty with 10-year capped-price servicing schedule and up to four years’ complimentary roadside assist.

Driving Impressions

You might be hard-pressed to notice the changes to the updated Outlander, but it is the under-the-skin treatment that matters most here.

Mitsubishi’s localised suspension tune is chief among the changes to the MY25 Outlander, bringing benefits that include a more comfortable, and quieter, ride, and more consistent steering.

We found the changes have calmed the Outlander’s previously busy ride, masking the fidgety intrusions that tarnished the comfort of the previous generation’s setup.

There is less suspension noise than before, too. The vehicle tracks cleanly through corners and is difficult to upset. Even the lumpy roads of our test loop north of Melbourne showed how well settled the new Outlander chassis tune is in dealing with crumbling regional roads.

For buyers chasing a sorted and comfortable ride, the differences here are appreciable.

That said, some vibration does sneak in when the Outlander is really put through its paces. Corrugated unsealed roads challenge the large diameter wheels and low-profile rubber, though we doubt many owners will mind.

Brake pedal feel is initially a little soft, but consistent thereafter. We experienced strong and effective braking in all scenarios, with excellent ABS intervention when required – even in the wet.

Around town and highway driving is on-point in the new Outlander, and we think most family buyers will welcome the changes.

Under the bonnet, there’s really nothing new. The Outlander features the same power and torque (135kW/244Nm) as before, resulting in steady progress.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) works well in keeping engine torque to the driving wheels in most scenarios but can stumble and slur in low-speed driving, or when asked to accelerate hard at highway speeds.

If Mitsubishi could tune the CVT to be as accurate as the suspension, they just might be onto a winner.

We notched up a fuel economy average in the mid-eight-litre range through a mix of urban, freeway, and rural driving. However, buyers should expect a little more with a full complement of passengers.

Away from the driving experience and it’s the cabin improvements of the updated Mitsubishi Outlander we admired most. There’s a feeling that the materials and assembly are of a higher standard than before, the added storage cubbies and faster processor of the infotainment system also welcomed during our loan.

The ADAS systems remain a little finicky, the driver monitoring system particularly critical of any deviance from a direct line of sight through the windscreen. The steering assist is likewise overly anxious, often intervening when there is no requirement to do so (false readings).

The Exceed Tourer variant (from $57,990 – or $2800 more than before) on test also arrived with a new 12-speaker, 1650-watt Yamaha audio bundle that performed rather well after some adjustment.

GoAuto used the trusted ears of an audio technician to put the system through its paces, who said the system offered “rich and detailed bottom end, and a good stage (or listening position) with dialogue presented in the centre of the cabin”.

He also praised the Yamaha system’s “high fidelity at top end” but said the surround mode returned “muddy mid-range” sound, leaving the driver to adjust the equaliser to obtain “decent sound”.

To our ears, the system was one far better suited to drum and bass or electronic music than it was to rock and roll, country, or jazz. Either way, it’s a big step up from Mitsubishi’s previous offerings.

The infotainment array is a little quicker to respond than before but remains a little outdated in terms of its appearance and menu system. While there are other manufacturers that do this better, we had no real issue finding everything we needed, and setting the car to match our preferences.

It is worth noting that the Outlander Exceed and Exceed Tourer are no longer available with seven seats. The upside here is that a full-size spare wheel is now included.

Excusing the CVT hiccups and ADAS niggles, we actually really enjoyed the updated Mitsubishi Outlander. It’s a very easy car to live with if you’re not as sensitive to the minor quibbles that irk motoring journos, and offers terrific levels of safety, space, and aftersales support.

Now a more comfortable and enjoyable drive, the Outlander is one SUV we would recommend to anyone shopping a new family truckster – and especially if a long warranty, reliable performance, and a familiar nameplate are of the upmost importance.