Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV Make Green Car Journal History

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is celebrating a historic milestone: for the first time in Green Car Journal’s 21-year history, two sister models have jointly earned the prestigious 2026 Family Green Car of the Year award. Both the Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) were named co-winners, marking the PHEV’s fourth consecutive Green Car Journal award and cementing the Outlander lineup’s reputation for innovation, sustainability, and family-friendly versatility.

Green Car Journal’s Family Green Car of the Year Award recognizes vehicles that excel in environmental performance while delivering style, practicality, and value. This year’s decision reflects exciting upcoming updates to the Outlander PHEV — including a larger battery with increased all-electric range, refreshed exterior and interior design, improved driving dynamics, and a Yamaha audio system — as well as the introduction of a new mild-hybrid powertrain for the Outlander. Together, these advancements represent Mitsubishi Motors’ ongoing leadership in eco-conscious engineering.

“The addition of a mild-hybrid powertrain is an important evolutionary step toward improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal. “Styling updates, greater onboard battery power, and expanded electric range add to the Outlander PHEV’s attributes as an outstanding, environmentally positive family vehicle.”

Both the revised 2026 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid and the new mild-hybrid Outlander will launch in the coming months. The current 2025 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid already offers up to 38 miles of all-electric range and a total hybrid range of up to 420 miles, and the Outlander lineup benefits from Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system for exceptional confidence on the road.

“These vehicles reflect Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to sustainable, practical mobility solutions,” said Mark Chaffin, president and CEO of MMNA. “From the mild-hybrid efficiency of Outlander to the expanded electric range of the PHEV, families now have more options than ever to enjoy eco-friendly driving without compromise.”

This recognition comes as part of Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan, which pledges a new or revised vehicle each year through the end of the decade. By balancing sustainability with real-world needs — and delivering vehicles with the value customers expect — Mitsubishi Motors continues to redefine what family-friendly green driving can be.

Tags: hybrid vehicles, Mitsubishi Outlander, New Mitsubishi, Plug-in hybrid
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