The redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is the product of a partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan, and it’s no secret that the compact SUV shares many characteristics with its 2021 Nissan Rogue cousin. Shared underpinnings include the engine, transmission and chassis, but that’s where the similarities end. The Outlander has its own personality with unique styling, suspension, all-wheel drive technology and a redesigned plug-in hybrid variant set to arrive in the U.S. in 2022.
Related: 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander: More Space, More Tech and a Lot More Styling
Mitsubishi previously announced that the Outlander PHEV will launch in the second half of 2022 with more power and range, but kept many other details under wraps. Now, the automaker has revealed more information on the SUV’s four-wheel drive system and its expected performance improvements.
A twin-motor 4WD system with a front and rear motor returns for the 2022 Outlander, and it will use an evolved version of its Super-All Wheel Control system, which Mitsubishi says will bring noticeable improvements to maneuverability, cornering and braking. The updated S-AWC system controls brake forces for both the front and rear wheels in an effort to improve balance and handling in all driving conditions. Five selectable drive modes will be offered for 2022: Normal, Gravel, Snow, Power and Eco.
The current Outlander PHEV, which employs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and twin electric motors, received significant powertrain upgrades for 2021. Mitsubishi increased the size of the SUV’s rear electric motor and its battery capacity, as well as the total system horsepower.
In addition to the upgraded S-AWC system, Mitsubishi says the 2022 Outlander PHEV will benefit from further motor output improvements and improved driving range, but hasn’t released those figures.
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