Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited has announced the imminent launch of the updated 2026 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, with sales slated for the first quarter of next year. The overhaul brings a larger battery, better performance, and sharpened handling. It reads as a focused update aimed at everyday gains rather than a ground-up rethink.

The headline change is a 22.7 kWh battery that delivers up to 86 km of electric-only driving on the WLTP cycle, placing the hybrid among the most efficient crossovers in its class. Beyond the extended range, the Outlander PHEV benefits from retuned suspension and steering calibrated specifically for Australian roads; that local tuning should pay dividends on typical surfaces outside the city.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
mitsubishi-motors.com

Additional refinements include improved cabin sound insulation, a Yamaha Dynamic Sound audio system, and new summer tires. ES, Aspire, Exceed, and Exceed Tourer variants will be covered by the 10/10 Diamond Advantage warranty—10 years or 200,000 km—along with an eight-year battery warranty. These are the kinds of tweaks that tend to elevate day-to-day refinement more than spec-sheet numbers suggest.

The Aspire trim offers a 5+2 seating layout, while the other versions remain five-seaters. According to Mitsubishi representative Bruce Hampel, the new Outlander PHEV has gained power and technology without sacrificing efficiency or comfort, and he characterized it as blending electric efficiency with the reassurance of a petrol engine. The positioning suggests a focus on usability and confidence rather than chasing headline figures.

Mitsubishi will announce full pricing and specifications closer to the start of sales, but the refreshed Outlander PHEV already looks set to be a key player in Australia’s hybrid segment. The mix of extra electric range and locally tuned dynamics should resonate with buyers who value real-world polish.