Struggling Mitsubishi heads into the 2021 model year with little change to its aging product line. But fresh metal will come next year with a next- generation Outlander midsize crossover that shares a new platform and proportions with the redesigned Nissan Rogue.
The only product update this year will come in the fourth quarter, with an upgrade to the powertrain of the Outlander plug-in hybrid. A bigger gasoline motor and a slightly larger battery — both from the European version — debut in North America for the 2021 model year.
Next year will bring exterior styling changes to the Eclipse Cross compact CUV, which suffers from a polarizing rear design. It will go on sale in the first quarter as a 2022 model, Mitsubishi said.
The Mirage subcompact sedan and hatchback will get a freshened exterior next year. It will go on sale in the first quarter as a 2021 model, the automaker said. The Outlander Sport, a subcompact crossover, is unchanged after it was freshened for the 2020 model year.
Mitsubishi’s 2020-2022 business plan calls for a retreat from Europe and cost cuts in North America as the brand focuses on its Southeast Asia stronghold. Its product plan calls for an Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid by next year, and a new-generation Outlander plug-in hybrid in 2022.
A next-generation Outlander Sport could share a platform with Nissan, and a future Mirage could share a platform with Renault. The three automakers form the global Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. However, Mitsubishi’s future in North America is not secure, given its new focus on Asia and emerging markets.
Mirage: The entry-level economy car, available in hatchback and sedan, will get a heavy exterior freshen early next year and be sold as a 2021 model. New styling cues include a bigger front grille and a more angular shape overall. The current generation was new for the 2014 model year. A redesign could come in 2023. A future generation could morph into a small CUV, a popular body style in Asian markets.
Outlander Sport: Freshened for the 2020 model year, the subcompact crossover carries over for the 2021 model year. A redesign could come on a Nissan platform shared with the Rogue Sport, although Nissan could drop that model. Mitsubishi’s 2020-2022 midterm business plan does not include a redesigned Outlander Sport.
Eclipse Cross: The compact CUV is Mitsubishi’s freshest vehicle in the U.S., introduced for the 2018 model year. Its biggest drawback is its unusual rear styling. An exterior freshen will reach showrooms in the first quarter as a 2022 model. A redesign could come in 2023. A plug-in version could arrive as a 2022 model next year.
Outlander: U.S. dealers have been waiting for a next-generation Outlander, based on Nissan’s new Rogue midsize crossover platform, and it’s coming next year. On sale in the second quarter as a 2022 model, the Nissan-based Outlander is likely to share little or nothing with the current Outlander, introduced for the 2014 model year. The new generation is critical for dealers desperate for fresh design, modern powertrains and competitive interiors and technology. If Mitsubishi sticks around in the U.S., a freshen should come in 2024.
Outlander PHEV: The plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander will remain on the old platform for now but receive a more powerful gasoline engine and a bigger battery in the fourth quarter of this year as a 2021 model. Overall power and all-electric range will increase modestly. Mitsubishi’s product plans have the redesigned plug-in showing up in 2022. A freshen to the plug-in should come with the gasoline model in 2024.
EVs: Mitsubishi has plans for an EV in China with local automaker GAC next year and is studying a micro-car EV with Nissan in Japan. There are no public plans for the U.S. market, but the company said in its July midterm business plan that it wanted to deepen its collaboration with Nissan on EVs in general.