Special price for entry Outlander Sport good for at least remainder of year.

AN assertive pricing strategy has been employed to Mitsubishi here to establish a five-seater 1.6-litre petrol compact crossover that in taking the brand into the lucrative hybrid sector also sees it running up against big guns.

Two front-drive versions of the Outlander Sport are on sale from December, the entry XLS placing at $39,990 and the higher-trimmed VRX for $46,990, with a two-tone finish adding $2000.

The XLS sticker is a special introductory ask undercutting many other hybrids, including a new version of one of China’s cheapest like-sized offers, the BAIC X55.

The sticker and will rise after a pre-determined period. Clarity about by how much and when that will be is expected to come on October 1 when MMNZ’s retail price list is published.

“The launch price is currently confirmed for the remainder of 2026 after which point we will review,” says Reece Congden, head of marketing and corporate affairs for Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand.

A sector which Toyota dominates but is also being infiltrated by new brands from China is a new playing field for MMNZ, which has until now restricted its hybrid product choice to plug-in types rather than those with sole ability for self-induced electric replenishment.

Nonetheless, the mild hybrid sector into which int goes has become a hugely popular consumer choice.

Material for dealers included in today’s media share suggests the Outlander Sport might yet also raid into territory that until now has been addressed by the Eclipse Cross PHEV and the small ASX, which is purely petrol.

The Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai are identified its potential cross-references, though Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester and Nissan X-Trail - which all provide in all-wheel-drive though some are also in front-drive - also seem to figure.

Called the Xforce in other markets and arriving here a full three years into its production life, the Outlander Sport is the first car MMNZ has sourced from Indonesia and is the first of three new products coming this year, the others being ASX-VRe - an electric car from an external provider in Taiwan - and the new Pajero.

Outlander Sport pairs a 1.6 litre MIVEC petrol engine with what Mitsubishi says is its latest-generation hybrid technology, automatically switching between EV, hybrid and engine drive modes to optimise efficiency and performance.

It incorporates multiple hybrid operating modes – including parallel and series hybrid configurations – with the system automatically selecting the most efficient set-up based on driving conditions and battery charge.

The petrol engine generates a modest 79kW and 134Nm in isolation, while the electric drive contributes 85kW and 255Nm.

Optimal fuel economy of four litres per 100km is cited, this being evaluated to WLTP-3 standard and CO2 count is just 95 grams per kilometre. An overall range i not cited, but the car has a small fuel tank, of just 42 litres’ capacity.

It runs on 225/50 R18 tyre and can tow 750kg, is 4390mm long and 1810mm wide, with a 2650mm wheelbase.

Both versions have a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch tablet display and eight-inch digital driver display.

XLS has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, active yaw control, reversing camera and VRX adds a Yamaha premium audio, wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting, an around view monitor, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a power tailgate.

MMNZ chief operating officer Tony Johnston said Outlander Sport’s availability reflects both changing customer priorities and a broader transition within the market.

He suggest the model is designed to fit the way New Zealanders live.

“It’s compact and easy to drive around town – but there’s plenty of room inside for passengers and gear, with the versatility for everything from the daily commute and school run to weekends away.”

Outlander Sport might seem a familiar name as it has been used previously by Mitsubishi, the most recently for a version of the actual Outlander, in 2020.

MMNZ does not hold press launches for its vehicles so the quality of the car for NZ conditions has yet to be evaluated.