Outlander

Make
Mitsubishi
Segment
SUV

The newest member of the Renault-Nissan alliance continues to fight for relevance in an increasingly competitive automotive market. Mitsubishi, simply put, refuses to give up. The Japanese automaker has just announced what it has in store for the upcoming 2021 model year with every current model receiving some attention.

"Between now and the end of the second quarter of 2021, Mitsubishi Motors North America will launch three considerably revised vehicles and one all-new, ground-up redesign, proof of the company's commitment to deliver high-quality, top-value, leading-edge technology vehicles in the US," the company said.

So, what's planned exactly? The biggest debut will be the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander, which we already knew was due to arrive for 2021.

It will ride on the same architecture as the also all-new Nissan Rogue, but the Outlander will feature the brand's "bold, aggressive, and distinctive appearance." The automaker says the all-new Outlander will be "loaded with technology and significant interior refinements… and this game-changing vehicle will surprise many." Unfortunately, Mitsubishi hasn't revealed any images of the 2021 Outlander at this time.

However, it has released a single shot of the refreshed 2021 Mirage (below). Both the hatchback and sedan, last redesigned in 2017, will offer bolder styling inside and out. Sales will get underway in the first quarter of next year.

At the same time, the Outlander PHEV, the world's best-selling plug-in hybrid, will also go on sale with many updates of its own. These will include a more powerful engine with greater displacement and a more refined electric drive system.

The facelifted Eclipse Cross will also arrive in Q1 2021 as an early 2022 model. Expect it to feature new front and rear-end styling, a revised interior and a new infotainment system. The Outlander Sport, updated last year, will carry over for 2021 unchanged though it'll offer "considerable improvement to standard levels of equipment."

Last month, we reported on Mitsubishi's plans to reduce its presence in so-called megamarkets, specifically Europe, China, and North America. With the sole exception of the redesigned Outlander, Mitsubishi is simply updating what it already has whereas the competition is introducing all-new vehicles left and right.