Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Subcompact SUV · 2011–present. 15,125 units sold in the US in 2024
How it began
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation developed the global crossover sold as RVR in Japan, ASX in Europe and Outlander Sport in the United States. MMNA president and CEO Shinichi Kurihara introduced the U.S. model. The original U.S. MY2020 press kit explicitly connects its later Dynamic Shield restyle with global design chief Tsunehiro Kunimoto’s direction. These documented roles do not establish a sole original designer or chief engineer.
The first U.S. Outlander Sports were imported from Japan. U.S. production was publicly launched at Mitsubishi’s Normal, Illinois plant on July 17, 2012, for domestic and export markets. Mitsubishi’s corporate history confirms the end of U.S. manufacturing in November 2015 and the transfer to Okazaki, Japan. RVR/Outlander Sport production began at Mizushima on December 20, 2017 to make room at Okazaki for Eclipse Cross; some Okazaki production continued during that fiscal-year transition. The current factory list names Outlander Sport among Mizushima’s products.
The Japanese version, the RVR, went on sale in February 2010, and the European ASX debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. The Outlander Sport was revealed at the New York Auto Show on March 31, 2010, and reached the U.S. in fall 2010 as a 2011 model.
The U.S. name extends the Outlander family, with which the original model shared its basic structure and 105.1-inch wheelbase. Japan revived RVR, a name first used in 1991; Mitsubishi’s history explains joining RV with Runner for that earlier vehicle. An original March 3, 2010 Mitsubishi Russia release explicitly explains ASX as Active Smart (X) Crossover. The retrieved original U.S. launch text describes the Sport model’s smaller, sporty character without giving a formal name-origin explanation for the Sport suffix.
Mitsubishi wanted a smaller, nimbler, fuel-efficient crossover below the Outlander for a fast-growing compact segment. Its stated goal was a fun, expressive, affordable vehicle with better efficiency. Mitsubishi Motors North America hoped it would become its highest-volume model and presented it as part of a shift "from survival mode to growth mode" after two hard years.
Generation by generation
- Gen. 12011–2012 · GA
The shark-nosed launch
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain What changed. It was an all-new model below the Outlander, with a shark-nose front borrowed from the Lancer Evolution and air intakes inspired by fighter jets. It used a 2.0-liter, 148 hp engine, a five-speed manual or a CVT with magnesium paddle shifters, and optional All-Wheel Control on the SE. It started at $18,495, and the EPA rated it at 25 mpg city and 31 highway.
The innovation. A smart-alternator Brake Energy Regeneration System recovered deceleration energy to help charge the conventional electrical battery and reduce engine load. Electric power steering removed the load of a belt-driven hydraulic pump. An optional panoramic glass roof offered LED mood lighting.
If you buy one usedNHTSA lists several recalls. The panoramic roof on some 2011 models built between August 2010 and March 2011 may have been installed without primer (13V255). Water could corrode the wiper motor (16V792, 2011–2015) and the wiper linkage (18V103, 2011–2016). The liftgate supports could rust (16V867), and the drive-belt tensioner could crack on certain eligible 2011–2012 vehicles (18V069; confirm exact engine/VIN eligibility). On cars from road-salt states, the front cross member could corrode (20V279, 2011–2016). Ask for proof these were done. The corrosion campaigns use a specified list of original-sale or ever-registration jurisdictions; check that history as well as the present location. - Gen. 22013–2015 · GA
Built in Illinois, then given more muscle
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain What changed. For MY2013 it received redesigned front and rear bumpers, black side sills, standard 18-inch wheels, revised rear multilink suspension and recalibrated CVT control. U.S. production began at Normal, Illinois through a $45 million retooling investment that preserved 1,200 jobs at launch. Tetsuro Aikawa then estimated about half of output would be exported; this was a forecast. For MY2015, a 2.4-liter MIVEC engine joined the range with 168 hp, 20 more than the 2.0-liter engine.
The innovation. The new 2.4-liter MIVEC engine came in 2.4 ES and 2.4 GT versions. The GT Premium Package offered a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate system with nine speakers and a 10-inch dual-voice-coil subwoofer, along with a panoramic roof with adjustable LED mood lighting.
If you buy one usedOn cars from road-salt states, the front lower control arm could detach because of cross-member corrosion (21V144, 2013–2015). The parking-brake shafts could rust and bind (18V070, 2013–2016). There were also recalls for the front passenger seat-belt anchor (14V744, 2013–2015), a CVT acceleration delay fixed with software (16V563, 2015–2016), a CVT hose clamp (16V548, 2015 with the 2.0) and relays that could stall the engine (17V609, 2015–2016). Ask for proof these were done. The corrosion campaigns use a specified list of original-sale or ever-registration jurisdictions; check that history as well as the present location. - Gen. 32016–2019 · GA
A new face and a return to Japan
Photo: Cutlass · CC0 What changed. For 2016 it got a new front and grille under the Dynamic Shield concept, power-folding mirrors with LED turn signals and a 6.1-inch screen, from $19,595. The Illinois plant closed in November 2015 and production returned to Japan. For 2018 it got new bumpers, LED running lights and a 7-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The innovation. In 2018 Forward Collision Mitigation arrived on this model for the first time, along with Lane Departure Warning and Automatic High Beam, in the Touring Package.
If you buy one usedFor 2016, NHTSA lists door latches that might not hold the door securely in extreme heat (17V233), a faulty coating on the rear brake shafts (20V741), liftgate supports on cars built January to July 2016 (16V867) and CVT software (16V563). In 2018 the forward braking system could brake longer than needed (18V620), and there was a hydraulic-unit software update (18V621). 2019 models with a mechanical key fall under CVT software campaign 22V563. The exact Mitsubishi/Outlander Sport query for model year 2017 returned zero campaigns on November 3, 2026; confirm the exact VIN and repair history. The 2018 braking software campaigns apply to specified FCM-equipped vehicles. - Gen. 42020–present · GA
The full Dynamic Shield face
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0 What changed. The MY2020 update retained the existing model family while changing the front bumper, clamshell hood, fenders, LED headlights and T-shaped rear lamps. An 8-inch display was offered, with 148 hp 2.0-liter engines or a 168 hp 2.4-liter in GT, from $22,595 base MSRP. AWC became standard across the U.S. line for MY2023 and continued for MY2025. Mitsubishi’s August 2024 announcement placed standard Rear Seat Alert on October-production MY2024 vehicles, continuing for MY2025.
The innovation. AWC uses a driver-selectable control for 2WD, 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock modes. Its electronically controlled coupling manages drive distribution; the MY2020 technical bulletin also describes revised logic to limit coupling heat in certain conditions. This is distinct from the larger Outlander’s S-AWC system.
If you buy one used2020 to 2022 models with a CVT and a mechanical key are covered by recall 22V563: a CVT software error could reduce the gear ratio at high speed and stall the engine. The fix is a free software update. The exact Mitsubishi/Outlander Sport queries for model years 2023 through 2026 each returned zero campaigns on November 3, 2026. These dated outputs do not replace the exact VIN/repair-history check or cover every alias.
Mitsubishi Outlander2001–present
Mitsubishi Mirage1985–2002 and 2014–2024
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross2018–present
Ford F-Series (F-150)1948–present
Toyota RAV41994–present (US from 1996)
Honda CR-V1995–present
Ram 15001981–present
Tesla Model Y2020–present
Chevrolet Silverado1999–present
