2018 Model Year Mitsubishi Changes
As Mitsubishi Motors settles into its new ownership by Renault and its relationship with Nissan, Mitsubishi's product is temprarily winding down. The Lancer and all-electric i-MiEV are discontinued. The tiny and lackluster Mirage remains their only car. The promised 2017 plug-in Hybrid Outlander has so far been vaporware (now promised for 2018). The years have seen many Mitsus pass into obsolesense and then die long after they were worth having: Eclipse, Galant, Montero...
Now we await the EclipseCross, a crossover borrowing a storied sports car name from Mitsubishi past. Fitting: the Eclipse used to offer an all-wheel drive variant at the height of its performance roster.
i-MiEV
With the company that sells the most electric cars on the planet (no, not that one) buying a controlling stake in Mitsubishi, it's not surprising that their small, poorly selling i-MiEV electric car is discontinued. How long will it be before Mitsubishi dealers sell a rebadged next-generation Nissan Leaf or perhaps the original?
Lancer
Dead.
Mirage
A backup camera and Bluetooth are now standard. A new 7-inch audio display controls the audio. SE and GT get a driver's seat armrest and a center console.
Outlander
Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert now standard on SEL, previously optional.
A new Smartphone Link Display Audio is standard for SE, SEL and GT models and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) version is supposed to come out in December.
Outlander PHEV
Due out in December, now, as a 2018 model, this plug-in hybrid EV is not yet rated for all-electric range. It comes in SEL and GT trims, with roughly the same equipment as those two gas models. It's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine couple with two electric motors, front and rear, net a system horsepower of 197, less than the V6 but more than the 4-cylinder gasoline only Outlander.
It trades two passenger seats for all of those batteries, but actually gains maximum cargo space: 78 cubic feet with its rear seats folded.
Outlander Sport
A refresh adds new bumpers front and back, new daytime running light LEDs, a new shifter design and floor console. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard, included with a new 7-inch audio touch screen with smartphone integration.
A new Touring Package will offer safety features such as forward collision warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (automatic braking), Lane Departure Warning and Automatic High Beam headlights.
A rear camera is standard and noise, vibration and harshness have been diminished.
Top-line GT is discontinued, its content bestowed on SEL.