Before You Buy

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Compact Crossover · SUV

MSRP Range$24,995–$29,445
A red 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport crossover parked on a city street in daylight, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Engine2.0L 4-cylinder, 148 hp, or 2.4L (SEL), 168 hp
Fuel Economy25-26 mpg combined
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive standard, 4WD available across all trims
Seating5

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Buy
81/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • RepairPal ranks it 7th of 26 compact SUVs — slightly ahead of its larger Outlander sibling
  • Among the least expensive new compact SUVs in this entire research set
  • 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain warranty, among the longest of any vehicle reviewed on this site
  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto now standard even on base S/ES trims for 2026

Cons

  • Did not earn a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick award
  • No confirmed iSeeCars depreciation figure was found specifically for this model — the estimate above is directional, based on the closely related Outlander's data
  • Base 148-hp naturally aspirated engine is modest for the class

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

RepairPal's model-specific score (4.0/5.0) ranks the Outlander Sport a solid 7th of 26 compact SUVs — slightly better than its larger Outlander sibling — with below-average repair frequency and severity.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

80/100

Simple controls, predictable running costs, and forgiving handling make this an easy first car.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads
Battery

100,000 miles

Spark plugs

150,000 miles

Suspension bushings and shocks

200,000+ miles

Commonly still running well with routine upkeep, per its above-average RepairPal ranking

What It Actually Costs to Own

One of the least expensive compact SUVs to buy new, with below-average repair costs and Mitsubishi's exceptionally long 10-year powertrain warranty backing it up.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,620
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,350
Estimated Annual Maintenance$420
Estimated Annual Repairs$498
Estimated Annual Registration$190
5-Year Depreciation~48% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine2.0L 4-cylinder, 148 hp, or 2.4L (SEL), 168 hp
Fuel Economy25-26 mpg combined
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive standard, 4WD available across all trims
Seating5
Warranty5 yr/60,000 mi basic, 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific Outlander Sport, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

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Sources: RepairPal model reliability score (4.0/5.0), annual repair cost ($498), and 7th-of-26 compact SUV ranking: repairpal.com/reliability/mitsubishi/outlander-sport (live lookup, 2026). 2026 MSRP ($24,995-$29,445), 7 trims, and engine/mpg specs: carbuzz.com and edmunds.com 2026 Outlander Sport pricing pages (live lookup, 2026). iSeeCars depreciation estimate based on the closely related Outlander's 51.1% figure, since no Outlander Sport-specific statistic was found: iseecars.com Outlander Sport-vs-Buick-Encore comparison data (live lookup, 2026).