2020 Mitsubishi Outlander — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $27,887–$34,100
Fuel Economy 23 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,283/yr
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander scores 6.9/10 at Carivo, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs, with 3 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,283/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$27,887–$34,100

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $27,887–$34,100, 23 MPG, seating 7, the Mitsubishi Outlander sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.3/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks #2137 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,887 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 23%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Outlander Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 6.9 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.1/10$32,640 Read review →
2025 7.1/10$32,640 Read review →
2024 7.2/10$31,690 Read review →
2023 7.1/10$30,739 Read review →
2022 7.0/10$29,788 Read review →
2021 7.1/10$28,837 Read review →
2020 (this review) 6.9/10$27,887
2019 6.9/10$26,936 Read review →
2018 6.9/10$25,985 Read review →
2017 6.8/10$25,035 Read review →
2016 6.8/10$24,084 Read review →
2015 6.7/10$23,133 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander (3 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Seat belts / Rear/other
18/05/2020 · 20V280000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The seat belt for the right side second-row seat may have been assembled incorrectly.
Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate / Support device/strut
07/08/2025 · 25V507000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,…
Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate / Support device/strut
20/04/2026 · 26V252000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

We rate the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander worth buying?

It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 13% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander cost?

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander starts at $27,887 and ranges up to $34,100 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Outlander years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Outlander years we've rated are 2015 (6.7/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.2/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

The documented issues for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Structure (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Mitsubishi Outlander

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Mitsubishi Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.