The Mitsubishi lineup is certainly not the broadest or most diverse in the Canadian auto industry, but that’s alright because what it does, it does well. While a lot of other brands just about bury you in so many options that it’s a bit overwhelming to figure out where to even start, the options that you’ll find at your favourite Mitsubishi dealer are more limited and refined. If you want a great hatchback, they have you covered; if you prefer a crossover, then you have several to choose from. It’s simple, straightforward, and works for a wide range of drivers.
For the 2022 model year, there aren’t a massive amount of changes and updates, but some key additions and one in particular (spoiler alert: it’s the Outlander) are definitely worth noticing. Whether you’re a long-time Mitsubishi fan or just taking a look at their lineup for the first time, I’m going to take you through what’s available and what’s new for this year. With such a streamlined selection, it’s easy to see what’s here and what each of these impressive models has to offer. You’ll have to decide if one of these might be a vehicle to keep your eye on the next time you’re shopping for a vehicle (or just discussing what’s out there with a friend).
The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage
The one non-crossover offering in the Mitsubishi lineup, the Mirage is a stylish little hatchback that has a lot to offer. In some markets, Mitsubishi offers two versions of the Mirage: a standard sedan and a hatchback––but the hatchback has proven the one most Canadians are interested in. For anyone wanting raw, unbridled power, this isn’t the place to look as it has a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that offers 78 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. Lack of power notwithstanding, this is one of the least expensive vehicles in the country, so it’s a fantastic option for anyone on a budget, and that’s what it’s designed for.
There aren’t massive updates or new features on the Mirage for 2022, but it does have a new Carbon Edition trim available. The Carbon Edition has similar features to the ES trim but adds a carbon fibre finish, black covers on the 14-inch wheels, and red grille accents for a sleek overall look that’s quite stylish. For 2022, the headlamps have also been updated with an auto on/off feature to make things even simpler for drivers.
The 2022 Mitsubishi RVR
Next, let’s take a look at the first of four SUV models that Mitsubishi has to offer and see what’s new for this year. The RVR is designed as a low-budget, subcompact crossover that’s meant for anyone looking to save money but still have a decent amount of space inside their vehicle. It does that quite well with a very low starting price––it even has two different engines available so that shoppers have some freedom to get the power they want. With the available 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, the RVR can be a lot of fun to drive, and this engine even comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) standard for added performance in Canadian winters.
We don’t have a lot of major changes for the 2022 RVR, though every trim now comes with auto on/off LED headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers, which were only standard on higher trims in the past. While not standard, more trims now come with Blind Spot Monitoring and a Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. I’d prefer if these kinds of safety features were standard on every model, but having them on all but the starting trim is at least a step in the right direction.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Next up, we have the Eclipse Cross, which is a compact crossover designed to provide more options for people who want something a bit larger than the RVR without going too big. There wasn’t a 2021 Eclipse Cross model available, and while it hasn’t been fully redesigned for this year, the 2022 model has been refreshed and restyled inside and out. A standard 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine gives this little crossover 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, making it surprisingly sporty and fun to drive.
The exterior of the 2022 Eclipse Cross is probably the most notably different aspect of the vehicle for this year since it’s been redesigned. This includes a more aerodynamic shape and overall appearance, plus refreshed LED headlamps that really do look nicer. There are a number of subtle and elegant changes along the exterior, front and back, which look great and are practical––a larger rear window, for example, has improved rear visibility for the driver.
Inside, the Eclipse Cross has also been restyled and updated with a more sophisticated interior that feels quite luxurious. Cargo and passenger space have been improved overall with this update, while a six-way adjustable driver’s seat is now standard in every model (manual for lower trims and power-adjustable for higher ones). A 20 cm infotainment display is standard on every 2022 model, a new 8-speaker sound system is available, and every Eclipse Cross now comes with rain-sensing windshield wipers. My favourite update, though, is that a Forward Collision Mitigation system is now standard on all models.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
I may have buried the lede here a little bit, but the biggest story for the 2022 Mitsubishi models is the all-new Outlander, which is launching a new generation this year. This is a large, three-row SUV that’s been completely redesigned for 2022, and that means it has a wide range of improvements and upgrades inside and out. For 2022, the Outlander features a new 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that provides 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, with either 18-inch or 20-inch wheels depending on the trim you’re looking at.
The new generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander’s exterior was designed around a single concept: “bold stride.” Mitsubishi’s designers and engineers wanted it to have a rugged and adventurous look to it, and I’d say that they pulled that off perfectly. It looks powerful and confident, ready to tackle anything a driver might throw at it. Inside, the Outlander has been redesigned and refined with a far-more luxurious and sophisticated look than in previous years. Its large size allows for seating for up to seven passengers, with plenty of cargo space too.
Auto LED high beams are now standard on all models this year (seems to be a lot of headlamp updates for 2022), while impressive new options include a 23 cm infotainment display (a 20 cm screen is standard), a 31 cm digital driver display, and an available 27 cm head-up display that’s projected onto the windshield. Standard safety features on every 2022 model include a Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Forward Collision Mitigation system, which I love to see.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) version of the Outlander features a large battery pack and electric motors that work to boost overall mileage and offer 39 km of all-electric range to reduce gasoline usage. While the standard Outlander is getting a full redesign for an all-new generation this year, it looks like we’ll have to wait a year for the PHEV version to get the same treatment. For 2022, the Outlander PHEV is nearly untouched, other than a new Black Edition that includes 18-inch dark alloy wheels, a black headliner, and quilted leather-appointed seats. The engine was just updated for better performance last year, which is great, but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the Outlander PHEV launch a new generation (hopefully) for the 2023 model year.
