After joining the Renault-Nissan alliance, Mitsubishi received huge help from its former competitor and introduced the fourth generation of the Outlander in 2021.

Mitsubishi launched the 2016 model-year Outlander at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, trying to keep the well-known crossover image fresh.

The quest for cleaner vehicles but the desire for SUV vehicles was in the opposite direction. But the Mitsubishi figure-out a way to solve the problem with the Outlander PHEV.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander came with a completely new model on the GS Platform developed together with the now defunct DaimlerChrysler. The Japanese carmaker tried to do a well-built SUV with up to seven seats and enough technology included to be an appealing car, but it forgot to pay for a better design team.

Mitsubishi built the second generation of the Outlander in Europe together with the French group PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) and took a diesel engine from Volkswagen.

Mitsubishi noticed the increased demand for compact SUVs, and since it was a renowned manufacturer of full-size 4x4 vehicles, it introduced the Airtrek/Outlander on the market in 2001.