5 Reasons We’re Stoked About the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition
We've always had a deep love for the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Trail Edition adds cuteness and capability to this 3-row SUV, but you'll have to wait to get one in your driveway.
At this year’s Mudfest test drive event, where journalists from the Northwest Automotive Press Association test drive trucks and SUVs on muddy Pacific Northwest terrain, there was one SUV that caught my eye in particular. It sat alongside the luxurious Genesis GV80 Coupe, the capable and quiet Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT, the always popular Subaru Forester, and the commanding Ram 1500 RHO.
It was the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition—an upgraded, badass version of the Outlander—that captivated me.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has Charmed Us Before, But This Time, It’s Different
The Outlander has already won praises from car reviewers; in fact it won for best 3-row SUV in the 2023 Mudfest competition. Its unique exterior design, cozy interior, third row, and lots of standard features set it apart. It’s also sold at a very competitive price range, starting at $29,995 to $41,345 for the SEL Premium Package. At that price range, the Outlander is in the ring with the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and the Kia Sorento.
The Trail Edition, though, takes it all up a notch. Designed for, as you might have guessed, off-road trails, it brings a fun and capable look and feel to the Outlander SUV.
The Trail edition won’t be available until the end of this year, so we were excited to get an early look and test it out on the trail at Mudfest. Here is what I discovered and why I think the Trail Edition is the best version of the Mitsubishi Outlander.
1. The Trail Edition Treatment Isn’t Just About Looks
The Outlander’s come a long way since the first model year in 2006. Like the Outlander of today, it comes standard with front-wheel drive, but it can be configured with all-wheel drive at an added cost. The Trail Edition, however, is all-wheel drive only, and for good reason: it’s built to be rougher around the edges.
The Trail Edition comes with some of the coolest from-the-factory graphics I’ve ever seen on an off-road-ready trim (sorry, Subaru Wilderness). From the mirror, over the door handles, and to the tip of the tail light is a long decal with a mountain at the very end, a handsome “Trail Edition” badge, and matte black decals on the hood to give it an edgy, ready-for-dirt look.
It’s better prepared than the standard Outlander, too, as it will roll away from the lot with pre-installed mudflaps, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, matte black fenders, off-road tuned suspension, and underbody protection. The blacked-out grille, fog light accents, and bumper liners added to the aesthetic, too.
Because of the 18-inch matte black and trim-specific wheels and bigger tires, the Trail Edition gets a slight increase in ground clearance, too. So, paired with the all-terrain tires and AWD, the Trail Edition can handle more than just your gravel driveway. It’s better prepared for snow, mud, dirt, and rocks.
2. The Interior is Ready for Action, too
The outside of the Outlander Trail Edition isn’t the only part of the car that was updated. The interior is ready for business with all-weather floor mats, cargo mats, a sporty all-black color scheme, and a large panoramic sunroof to open everything up. The seats aren’t leather like they are in the PHEV, but they’re a soft, comfortable, and seemingly easy-to-clean black fabric.
The screen, button and knob layout is the same as the standard Outlander, as well as the digital and analog speedometer and tachometer. Behind the third row is a durable all-weather mat system that can easily be moved out of the way to make folding and unfolding the third row a breeze. The second row comes with mats, too.
Despite being a budget-friendly off-roader, the Outlander still has an updated sound system, a very intuitive multi-terrain system, and Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (just make sure to keep a USB cable handy).
3. The All-New Identity Won’t Break the Bank
The Trail Edition is no Toyota 4Runner or Ford Bronco, but considering the price range, it fits more along the lines of the Kia Sorento, Nissan Rogue, or the Toyota RAV4. According to the sample Monroney that was in the car during the event, the Trail Edition is added to the SE trim level of the Outlander, putting it smack dab in the middle price-wise. The sticker read $37,995. With the $1,300 for the Thule roof rack and $829 cargo box, the price comes to just over $41,000.
But remember—it was a sample sticker. Official pricing will be revealed closer to its release date later this year, so we’ll check back in around that time for exact pricing.
Even if Mitsubishi sells it at the above price, that would make the Outlander Trail Edition one of the most affordable off-road-ready 3-row SUVs on the market. Ahead of even the Subaru Forester or Honda CR-V.
4. Dealership Add-Ons Are the Coolest
You see the Thule roof basket and the cargo box on top of the Outlander Trail Edition? Those weren’t just to make it look cool on the track’s go-kart track. They’re add-ons that can be bought from the dealership before it’s delivered (see above), or even after you’ve already bought it. When I asked Mitsubishi about the stickers, I was told that those could be bought from the dealership, too.
The stickers come in a bag and you can decorate the cargo box however you like—or any other part of the car. The stickers would even look great on a suitcase, water bottle, the rear windows, or a bike rack. The point is, the stickers aren’t for show. They can come with the car.
READ MORE: Ditching Diamonds for Dirt: 5 Reasons Women Love Off-Roaders
5. It’s a Great Gateway SUV Into the World of Off-Roading
If someone’s ready to dive deep into the vast universe of off-roading, the Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition is a great place to start. Everything it has is “just right.” The engine is powerful enough to be an asset off-road, but not so powerful that you’ll get into any trouble. The price point is friendly, but the interior quality and features list aren’t reflective of it.
The AWD is plenty capable, and the terrain select system helps drivers, both new and experienced, have a great time without having to worry so much about what mode it needs to be in. There’s enough of the Outlander to get anyone to a campsite, trailhead, or landmark without being overwhelming.
The Trail Edition proves that you don’t need to spend an insane amount of money to enjoy the great outdoors, and that’s what’s most important.
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