Compare the2026 Subaru AscentVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Ascent achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the Outlander.

The Subaru Ascent’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Ascent and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Ascent weighs 442 to 820 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Ascent is much safer than the Outlander:

The Subaru Ascent has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The Ascent’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Ascent has a standard 190-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ascent second among upper midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Outlander isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi With 44 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Mitsubishi.

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (260 vs. 174) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Outlander doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Ascent has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.3 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Ascent has larger tires than the Outlander (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Ascent has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ascent’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Outlander (113.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ascent is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Ascent’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.2% to 45.8%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Ascent more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander ES/Trail (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Ascent’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Outlander SE/SEL (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Ascent offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 27.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (153.2 vs. 125.5).

The Ascent has .6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom, 13 inches more third row legroom, 3.8 inches more third row hip room and 6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ascent. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Ascent’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 19th.

The Ascent’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Ascent’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Ascent’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ascent’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Ascent’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Subaru Ascent has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Outlander SE/SEL.

The Ascent Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the dashboard, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Subaru Ascent retains 50.27% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 5% during 2025.