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Mitsubishi Outlander vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mitsubishi Outlander

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Mitsubishi Outlander wins 4 of 7 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mitsubishi Outlander is more fuel-efficient: 28 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $500 a year less in fuel for the Mitsubishi Outlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota 4Runner is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota 4Runner has had fewer recall campaigns (38 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,726 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Outlander and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Outlander and the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

28 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
27 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$2,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

174 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
7
Seats (most)
5
185.4 in
Length
194.9 in
73.2 in
Width
78 in
68.5 in
Height
73.2 in
3,726 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
2
47
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
6
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

15,692
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2015
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (28 vs 23 MPG)
  • You need more seats (7 vs 5)
  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want more power (up to 278 vs 174 hp)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (38 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →