Compare the2026 Honda CR-VVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Outlander’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda CR-V achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second 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.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CR-V is 2.4% to 4.3% less likely to roll over than the Outlander.

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

There are over 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CR-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 43 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 Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (190 vs. 174) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 30 more horsepower (204 vs. 174) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the Outlander:

The CR-V 1.5T has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Hybrid) 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.

The Honda CR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The CR-V has 1.6 inches more front hip room and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the Outlander.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 10.9 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 64.3 cubic feet).

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

The CR-V uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 19th.

On a hot day the CR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CR-V’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 quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail offers wireless charging.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Honda CR-V retains 61.29% to 65.48% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner up to $4490 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CR-V was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “5Best Trucks/10Best” for 2025 and 5 more times in the last 25 years. The Outlander has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Outlander has never been chosen.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost 10 to one during 2025.