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2021 Mitsubishi Outlander

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles: 4dr SUV Es Awc, 4dr SUV Se/GT S Awc, PHEV 4dr SUV
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Horsepower: 148 hp
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline, Plug-in Hybrid
MPG (best): 27 combined · 26 city / 30 hwy
Length: 185 in
Curb weight: 3,406–4,178 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
AWD / 4WD available
Few owner complaints19 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 148 for similar models.

Watch out for

Modest powerUp to 148 hp, versus about 235 hp for similar 2021 models.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,406 lb (4dr SUV Es Awc).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (26 city / 30 highway), 2% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2021

Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Outlander →

Trims, performance & features

Engine148 hp2.0L 4-cyl

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Safety & driver-assist features

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2021 Outlander configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr SUV Es Awc	185 in	71.3 in	67.3 in	105.1 in	60.6 / 60.6 in	3,406 lb	56/44
4dr SUV Se/GT S Awc	185 in	71.3 in	67.3 in	105.1 in	60.6 / 60.6 in	3,549 lb	57/43
PHEV 4dr SUV	185 in	71.3 in	67.3 in	105.1 in	60.6 / 60.6 in	4,178 lb	57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Outlander Sport 2WD	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	24 / 30 / 27	+2%	$2,500	331
Outlander Sport 4WD	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	4-Wheel Drive	23 / 29 / 26	+9%	$2,600	344
Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (A1)	All-Wheel Drive	26 / 26 / 26	+9%	$2,600	165
Outlander Sport 2WD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23 / 29 / 25	-5%	$2,700	354
Outlander Sport 4WD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	4-Wheel Drive	23 / 28 / 25	+5%	$2,700	353

8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

10/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	16.9%
2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	19.1%

StandardElectronic stability control

OptionalForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander (this car)	27 MPG	★★★★★	3
2021 Toyota RAV4	40 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	38 MPG	Not rated	4
2021 Honda CR-V	38 MPG	★★★★★	5
2021 Toyota 4Runner	17 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Hyundai Tucson	25 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Subaru Forester	29 MPG	★★★★★	0

Recalls (3)

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut · Apr 20, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V252000 · 108,046 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut · Aug 7, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V507000 · 121,529 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module › Software · Aug 2, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V563000 · 76,508 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

19Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

22,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Electrical System6

Engine5

Unknown Or Other4

Power Train3

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking2

Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection2

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 22,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Outlander years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Outlander	27	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Outlander	28	185.4 in	Not rated	1	6
2025 Outlander	27	185.4 in	★★★★★	2	18
2024 Outlander	27	185.4 in	★★★★★	1	27
2023 Outlander	27	185.4 in	★★★★★	2	58
2022 Outlander	27	185.4 in	★★★★★	10	229
2020 Outlander	27	185 in	★★★★★	4	58
2019 Outlander	27	185 in	★★★★★	6	56
2018 Outlander	27	185 in	★★★★★	6	93
2017 Outlander	27	185 in	Not rated	6	78
2016 Outlander	27	183.5 in	Not rated	11	171
2015 Outlander	28	183.5 in	Not rated	12	233

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mitsubishi. How we calculate this →