What Are the Best Years for the Mitsubishi Outlander? (6 You Should Buy!)

Selecting a Mitsubishi Outlander means sifting through its varied history; our article, “What Are the Best Years for the Mitsubishi Outlander?” identifies the standout models. Dive into this guide to find out which years of the Outlander excel in reliability and value.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has great models and some lesser quality models that people either love or hate, but there haven’t been a lot of problems with this car over the years.

The best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander are 2020, 2019, 2013, 2011, and 2008. As the years have gone by, the features of the car have improved.

These years have the best customer reviews and the best ratings from Kelly Blue Book, and little to no complaints from Car Complaints online.

There are many reasons why these years are great for buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander, so read down below for more information on the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander.

What Are The Best Years For The Mitsubishi Outlander?

The Mitsubishi Outlander entered the North American market in 2003, when Mitsubishi had a stronger presence in the United States. It was a compact SUV with four-wheel drive, and only one powerplant.

While the recipe for the Outlander wasn’t surprising, the vehicle did above average in sales during the first year. However, Mitsubishi lost popularity in the market, and the following years saw a drop in sales.

There are four generations of the Outlander, and the current model has seen an increase in sales. However, researching older models is harder.

Given that Mitsubishi wasn’t a popular brand, there are few reviews. However, we can say that the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander has a high predicted reliablity.

So, how do the older models stack up? The best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander are 2020, 2019, 2013, 2011, and 2008.

As the years have gone by, the features of the car have improved.

Best Years For The Mitsubishi Outlander Per Generation

Fourth Generation – 2021

The 2021 is one of the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander because it has few complaints and high reliability.

Overall, this model year has excellent reviews in sources such as Kelley Blue Book and Car Complaints. Plus, with the inclusion of the hybrid, you can have excellent fuel economy.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander was so reliable that it helped propel the brand’s presence in the US. So, if you’re looking for a used Outlander, this is a great choice.

Third Generation – 2020

One of the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander is the 2020. This year has few complaints and above-average reliability.

On the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander model, the only complaint so far is that one rear seatbelt was installed incorrectly, but the company fixed that problem for free and that part was recalled.

It has nothing to do with the performance of the car. Issues with the car’s performance may occur in the future, but at the moment none have been reported.

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander is recommended to others by 90% of consumers, and they think the car is great. There are great features like being able to drive EV, hybrid, or with gas. It gets a combined gas mileage of 27 mpg, and it has 166 horsepower.

People compare this car to other brands that have released similar cars, and it is ranked below those because they have better features than the Mitsubishi Outlander, and they have made improvements over time.

Another plus for the 2020 Outlander is the cost to own is low. Kelley Blue Book rated it as the winner of the 5-year Cost To Own awards, making it one of the cheapest SUVs to own.

Third Generation – 2019

The 2019 models have great reviews and no big issues reported by consumers. Many people reviewed these years and talked about the reliability, the style, the comfort, and the smooth ride.

These are some of the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander. The 2019 model has barely any complaints at all on it, but people have noticed that the original tires used by the manufacturer do not have the best grip, and it can be hard to drive in the rain with the original tires.

The simple fix is to get new tires that have a better grip and compare them to the original manufacturers’ tires. (Source)

This car is ranked highly for its value, performance, reliability, quality, comfort, and style. It is really recent still, so like all newer cars there could be issues down the road that are unknown right now.

Based on consumer ratings, there are more positive reviews than anything negative about the car. Many people have no cons for the car, however, other people who live in colder places find that it heats up slower than many other cars. But other than that, this car is a great choice.

Third Generation – 2013

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander is great and does not have much for people to complain about. On Kelly Blue Book, many people are impressed and still loving their 2013 models.

They love the interior, the exterior, the comfort, the electronic accessories, the seats, the performance, the reliability, and more. This car gets combined gas mileage of 28 mpg, and it has great cargo storage in the trunk and throughout the car.

Many people are pleased with the reliability of the car and trust both it and the Mistubishi brand a lot. This performance is something to highlight.

The 2013 model year is one of the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander, and it was also one of the first of the second generation. Usually, this is a recipe for trouble, as the manufacturer hasn’t sorted out issues.

However, with the 2013 model, this isn’t the case. In fact, with few problems, it’s a great model to buy.

Second Generation – 2011

The second generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander is certainly dated. However, there are some model years which are reliable.

These cars are great for their reliability, and after about 10 years, these cars have not had any reported problems that have affected the performance of the car.

The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander is a great and reliable vehicle. The biggest complaint is that the seats squeak when moved, which is not a huge deal at all.

Normally complaints you hear about with cars are things with bad transmissions, bad brakes, the engine not working properly, and other big stuff like that.

But, if the biggest problem is that the seats squeak when they move, then it is probably a reliable car with no issues with the engine, transmission, or other important parts of the car.

This car also has great comments about it on Kelly Blue Book. People love the car for its great gas mileage of up to 28 mpg combined and 168 horsepower. When ranked with other cars of its kind, it placed first in consumer ratings.

The people who drive this car are the ones who know the most about these cars. Those who have purchased this car ranked it above other cars, which is a great way to know that it is a reliable car and if you will enjoy having it.

If you find a used one online, definitely consider getting it because you will not be disappointed.

Second Generation – 2008

The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander is another reliable car that is great for many reasons. There are barely any complaints with the car.

At the same time, complaints are about the AC, the interior accessories, wheel issues, and others. We can consider these as minor problems.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the car actually has 4.7 out of 5 stars.

90% of consumers recommend this car to others, and that is a hugely positive note to hear about this year and make. This car has great reviews of people raving about how the driving quality is amazing and smooth.

People have also talked about the gas mileage and how reliable the car is. It has a combined 25 mpg and 168 horsepower. Based on consumer ratings, this car is ranked the highest compared to other brands’ models.

If you are looking for a great car, this one fits the bill, and you will enjoy driving it for years to come. The only challenge is that the vehicle is already close to fifteen years old.

Therefore, finding a used model is certainly challenging. So, if you want one of the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 is an excellent choice, if you find one with no rust and low mileage.

Conclusion To What Are The Best Years For The Mitsubishi Outlander

If you’re looking for a versatile SUV that can provide you with excellent fuel economy, a comfortable interior, and versatile performance, you can consider the Mitsubishi Outlander. While the brand isn’t as popular as others, this SUV stands out for reliability.

This article showcases the best years for the Mitsubishi Outlander so that you can find the best option for you. Spanning four generations, there are several options, which can better suit all budgets.

In general, the Outlander is a great SUV, but it can be hard to find. So, finding one in good condition is a challenge.

However, if you do find one, chance are it will work for years to come.