Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to return to the UK in 2026

Mitsubishi has confirmed that its Outlander plug-in hybrid SUV will be among the first models to arrive in the UK as the brand relaunches after a five-year hiatus.

The original Outlander PHEV was a groundbreaking model for the Japanese brand and one of the very first mainstream plug-in hybrids to gain traction with the car-buying public. It was still among the brand’s most popular models when it pulled out of the UK in 2021.

Late last month leading import group International Motors Ltd announced it was bringing the Mitsubishi brand back to the UK with models from its global lineup. It has now announced the all-new Outlander will be among the first of those models, alongside the L200 pick-up truck. There’s no word yet on whether the Eclipse Cross electric SUV will also join the range.

The second-generation Outlander PHEV is new from the ground up and is 2.5cm longer, 6.2cm wider, and 3.8cm taller than its predecessor. For the first time in the UK it will be available as a seven-seater.

The 2026 Outlander PHEV uses an all-wheel-drive system featuring a 2.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors – one on each axle. Mitsubishi says the combined system produces more than 300bhp and delivers a driving range of more than 500 miles. It has yet to confirm the battery size or EV-only range.

The four-wheel-drive system, based on Mitsubishi’s “rally-bred” Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, offers multiple drive modes and settings for different terrain and weather conditions.

There’s no word on pricing for the new Outlander PHEV but, unlike the original, the new model will face stiff competition. As well as powerful plug-in hybrid options from established rivals such as Volkswagen, Toyota and Citroen, a raft of low-price Chinese alternatives such as the Jaecoo 7 SHS and BYD Seal U DMi mean a much tougher marketplace for the revived Mitsubishi.

Sharon Townsend, head of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, commented: “We are excited to announce the two new Mitsubishi models that will go on sale in the UK in summer 2026. While the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Mitsubishi L200 are familiar, much-loved, and respected names in the UK, we will be introducing the very latest models, which feature significant design, technology, and performance upgrades over their predecessors.”