2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Review

It might not look any different, but the updated family SUV is a noticeably better car than its predecessor.

By carsales.com.au

Mitsubishi has finally recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic with an updated version of its popular Outlander mid-sized SUV.

The Japanese car maker was forced to postpone a localised ride and handling program as a result of the shutdown. But has now completed its program that is designed to enhance the Outlander’s driving character with more comfort and agility across Australia’s vast mix of road conditions while also bringing some thoughtful interior upgrades to improve its already great useability.

So, let’s check out what the changes are, and how effective they have been.

How much does the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed cost?

Surprise, surprise… pricing for the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander has increased in line with the arrival of the updated model to the tune of $2050-$2800 depending on the variant, meaning the range now opens from $39,990 plus on-road costs (ORCs) for the entry-level, two-wheel drive ES.

The range includes 13 different variants across five trim levels and three powertrain configurations; three two-wheel drives (ES, LS and Aspire), five all-wheel drives (ES, LES, Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer), and five plug-in hybrids (ES, Aspire, Exceed, Exceed Tourer and GSR).

All LS and Aspire models feature third-row seating with a 5+2 configuration while all others have a conventional five-seater arrangement.

We’re testing the AWD Exceed, which starts from $55,140 plus ORCs; a clean $2500 up-tick over the previous version on account of all its new gear.

What standard equipment does the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed feature?

The Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed brings a bunch of new features into the mix for the 2025 model year, including a premium Yamaha sound system, 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen, a frameless digital rear view mirror, ventilated front seats and a few extra safety systems which we’ll explain next.

That all comes on top of an extensive list of standard equipment that includes:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and taillights
• Privacy glass
• Power operated tailgate
• Power windows
• Keyless entry with push button start
• Microsuede interior trim
• Electrically adjustable driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Eight-speaker audio system
• Wireless smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices
• Embedded satellite navigation
• Mitsubishi Connect telematics

What safety features does Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed have?

The 2025 update to the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed brings a few extra safety features missing from its predecessor, such as driver attention monitoring, traffic sign recognition that works with the adaptive cruise control, rear autonomous braking and a top-view parking display.

That all comes on top of a comprehensive suite of existing driver aids and crash avoidance systems that earned the Outlander a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, including:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Lane keeping assistance
• Blind spot warning
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• 10.8-inch head-up display

What is the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed like inside?

While there might not be much new on the exterior, all 2025 Outlanders have been treated to a new centre console that shuffles round the cupholders, gear selector, drive mode dial and park brake button to all fall easier to hand and maximise storage space.

That new centre console is a winner in our eyes, as is the enlarged centre storage bin and 12.3-inch infotainment system, the latter looking a whole lot more elegant than the previous 9.0-inch unit that was cursed with acres of wasted space and out-of-place dials.

One key detail applying to both the Exceed and the even more lavish Exceed Tourer is the fact they’re no longer offered with seven seats – Mitsubishi Australia’s market research showed most flagship Outlander buyers never used the (tiny) third row and binned it in favour of a full-sized spare wheel.

What is the under the bonnet of the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed?

No changes have been made to the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (135kW/244Nm) or the continuously variable transmission (CVT) it operates through, with drive still sent to either the front or all four wheels depending on the variant. The Exceed is all-paw only.

How efficient is the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed?

Mitsubishi claims the Outlander Exceed consumes an average of 8.1L/100km from its 55L tank.

That’s a little higher than many of its mainstream rivals which have smaller capacity engines.

What is the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed like to drive?

The centrepiece of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander’s update is without doubt its new locally honed chassis set-up developed and refined out the back of Yankalilla in South Australia, barely an hour from Mitsubishi Australia’s head office in Adelaide.

The intent was simple: make the new model ride and handle better than the previous version. And that’s exactly what the combination of Australian and Japanese engineers have managed to do, with the MY25 Outlander feeling much more sophisticated in most environments, especially winding country roads.

Thanks to retuned springs and dampers at both ends and a narrower front sway bar, the Outlander sits flatter in corners and doesn’t load up its outside front tyre as much, nor does the front axle tie itself in knots quite so easily over mid-corner bumps or camber changes.

You’d never call it decidedly athletic, but the Outlander’s newfound ride-and-handling balance puts it right at the pointy end of the segment for versatility.

It’s enhanced further by the more relaxed and progressive steering that feels far more cohesive with the suspension than the old model’s now seemingly over-boosted calibration.

The Exceed’s ‘Super All-Wheel Control’ all-wheel drive system remains polished and versatile across all reasonable surfaces, as do the engine and transmission.

For all the newfound chassis refinement and tech enhancements, Mitsubishi overlooked one of the Outlander’s biggest bugbears: the overzealous throttle pedal.

In the ‘Normal’ drive mode the throttle is simply too touchy and highly strung for day-to-day use. While you’d no-doubt get used to it over time, it’s a small detail that’d take minimal time to fix and make another genuinely meaningful improvement to the drive experience.

It’s not so bad on the Exceed, but front-drive Outlanders – and X-TRAILs – will light up the front wheels in the blink of an eye if there’s even a drop of moisture on the road, especially in town.

This can make for lurchy progress away from rest in the all-wheel-drive versions as both axles dig in and grip, the solution being to engage ‘Eco’ mode, then all is well… until you need to overtake and are presented with an atmospheric four-cylinder-CVT combo in its most meagre setting.

On that note, it would’ve been good to see the aging powertrain instilled with a dash more power and/or torque to help it make easier progress on the open road seeing as the only other powertrain available is the significantly spritelier (and hugely more expensive) 185kW/450Nm plug-in hybrid.

How much does the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed cost to maintain?

Mitsubishi delivers one of the best ownership benefits packages with its Diamond Advantage scheme that provides a 10-year vehicle warranty with capped price servicing and roadside assistance for the same period.

To activate the full scheme, owners are required to maintain the vehicle within the Mitsubishi dealer network according to its prescribed 12-month or 15,000km schedule.

Should I lease a Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed?

The pre-update 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed was already a decent and well-equipped mid-size family bus, but the update’s revamped suspension and steering have pulled it closer to the front-runners in this increasingly competitive class.

It might not have the vast powertrain options of its Korean rivals, uber-low fuel consumption of the Toyota RAV4 or cut-throat pricing of the Chinese, but its all-round blend of refinement, practicality, unique style and versatility have, and will no doubt continue to endear the Outlander to Aussie customers.

The new suspension and steering tunes are worth their figurative weight in gold while the updated interior is easier on the eye and to live with, especially if you count the full-size spare wheel.

The tech and safety upgrades are both reasonable and well-founded in keeping the Outlander current against an ever-increasing crop of younger challengers and evolving heavyweight rivals, too.

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed at a glance:

Editor’s Rating: 7.4/10

^{Disclaimer: Images supplied by carsales}