Generation history
Mitsubishi Outlander generations and next redesign.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has been through 2 generations, starting in 2001 and 2006. The gaps were 5 years, an average of 5.0. Redesigns come quickly on this model. The current generation began in 2006. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2010 through 2012, centered on 2011. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: On 17 October 2005, Mitsubishi launched the second generation model, dropping the Airtrek in Japan in favour of adopting the global name. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Mitsubishi Outlander model page.
Every generation
The Mitsubishi Outlander, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | CU/ZE/ZF | 2001–2006 | The first-generation Outlander/Airtrek was based on the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle exhibited at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. |
|---|
| Second generation | CW/ZG/ZH | 2006–present | On 17 October 2005, Mitsubishi launched the second generation model, dropping the Airtrek in Japan in favour of adopting the global name. |
|---|
The Mitsubishi Outlander spent 5.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 20 years old. Treat 2010 to 2012 as a range, not a date.
Source: Mitsubishi Outlander (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Mitsubishi Outlander model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Mitsubishi Outlander generation changed.
First generation, 2001 to 2006
The first-generation Outlander/Airtrek was based on the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle exhibited at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. The ASX (Active Sports Crossover) represented Mitsubishi's approach to the industry wide crossover SUV trend for retaining the all-season and off-road abilities offered by a high ground clearance and four-wheel drive, while still offering car-like levels of emissions, economy, and size. The Airtrek was first introduced to the Japanese market on 20 June 2001, and was sold at Mitsubishi Japan dealership chain called Car Plaza.
Second generation, 2006 to today
On 17 October 2005, Mitsubishi launched the second generation model, dropping the Airtrek in Japan in favour of adopting the global name. It features a new DOHC 2.4 L 16-valve MIVEC engine; INVECS-III continuously variable transmission (CVT), Mitsubishi's AWC system which features electronically controlled four-wheel-drive and stability control, on a stretched Mitsubishi GS platform. The North American version, powered by a newly designed 6B31 3.0 L V6 SOHC MIVEC was shown in April 2006 at the New York International Auto Show prior to its release in October the same year.
Generation notes adapted from Mitsubishi Outlander (Wikipedia).
Today's Mitsubishi Outlander
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Mitsubishi Outlander at a glance
- Production
- 2001–present
- Class
- Compact crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (Mitsubishi S-AWC, S-AWC)
- Also called
- Mitsubishi Airtrek (Japan, 2001–2008), Peugeot 4007 (2007–2012), Citroën C-Crosser (2007–2012), Nissan Rogue#PHEV, Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid (North America, 2026)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- August 2026, Back Over Prevention:Software. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Outlander and 2026 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to improper software programming, the Alliance In-Vehicle Infotainment (A-IVI) system may fail to display the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- June 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Outlander and 2023-2025 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to a software error in the in-vehicle infotainment system (A-IVI), the rearview camera image may freeze, or not appear on the display. As such, these… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- June 2023, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Outlander and 2023 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to a software error in the in-vehicle infotainment system (A-IVI), the backup camera rearview image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles… Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about forward collision avoidance (3), electrical system (3), fuel/propulsion system (2).