Mar 07, 2025 by admin

The latest Mitsubishi Outlander moved to a platform shared by the members of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. That move may prove short-lived.

Automotive News reports word from a source familiar with the plan that Mitsubishi will move to a modified version of one of its own platforms for the next Outlander.

The current model, which entered production in 2021, is underpinned by the CMF-CD platform also used by the Nissan X-Trail.

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It replaced the third-generation Outlander, which used the GS platform co-developed by Mitsubishi and what was at the time DaimlerChrysler.

The current Outlander still has a few years left in it. Automotive News reports that before a redesign in 2027, it’ll gain a mild-hybrid powertrain and a more rugged-looking Trail Edition.

It’s unclear just what platform the next Outlander will move to.

The GS platform underpinning the outgoing ASX and Eclipse Cross dates back to 2005.

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The Xforce SUV that entered production in 2023 in Indonesia shares its platform with the 2017-vintage Xpander people mover, and as Mitsubishi has confirmed the Xforce can’t be sold here without significant upgrades it’s unclear if it’ll be used for the Outlander.

Mitsubishi previewed a new seven-seat, mid-sized SUV last year with the DST Concept, which previews a production vehicle due in Southeast Asian markets by March 2026.

It’s unclear what platform this rides on, but given its close resemblance to the Xforce and its impending debut in Southeast Asian markets, it may use the platform of the smaller SUV.

That could rule it out for other markets like Australia and the US.

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In these markets, along with others, the Outlander is a crucial vehicle. Indeed, it’s one of the brand’s most important models globally.

It was the brand’s best seller last year in markets like Australia and the US, accounting for 41 per cent of Mitsubishi’s US sales and 37 per cent of its sales here.

In addition to using the Nissan X-Trail’s platform for the Outlander, Mitsubishi has also been sharing vehicles with its other Alliance partner, Renault.

Unlike the Outlander, which looks drastically different inside and out to its Nissan twin-under-the-skin, new Europe-focused models like the Colt and ASX are only lightly restyled Renaults.

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The European ASX is due here this year to replace the outgoing model, which – along with the current Eclipse Cross and Pajero Sport – had to be discontinued locally for not meeting a new Australian Design Rule around autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Nissan is Mitsubishi’s largest shareholder, but recently sold off an undisclosed portion of its 34 per cent stake. In November 2024, Mitsubishi also bought back 10 per cent of its shares from Nissan.

Mitsubishi was brought into the ill-fated merger discussions between Nissan and Honda, but its CEO Takao Kato reportedly didn’t want to be involved.

The Nissan-Honda merger could still happen, with reports Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida will step down imminently. Merger talks fell apart, with Uchida-san opposing plans for Nissan to become a subsidiary of Honda.

MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Outlander