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Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) made history today as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) were co-named Green Car Journal’s 2026 Family Green Car of the Year. This latest Green Car Journal award – the fourth consecutive for Outlander Plug-in Hybrid – marks the first time in the award program’s 21-year history that sister models have claimed the prestigious overall title.
Green Car Journal’s Family Green Car of the Year Award recognizes vehicles that excel in environmental performance while offering style and versatility. The two Outlander variants took top honors this year on the strength of forthcoming upgrades to the plug-in version – including larger battery capacity with increased all-electric range, revised front and rear styling, revised interior, improved driving dynamics, and Yamaha audio2 – and on the upcoming mild-hybrid version of the Outlander.
“Adding a mild-hybrid powertrain in the Outlander is viewed by Green Car Journal as an important evolutionary step toward improving efficiency and decreasing carbon emissions,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “Styling updates, greater onboard battery power, and expanded electric range add to the Outlander PHEV’s attributes as an outstanding, environmentally positive family vehicle.”
Both the revised 2026 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid and the new mild-hybrid powertrain in the 2026 Outlander will launch in the coming months, and both are examples of Mitsubishi Motors’ world-class, award-winning, engineering technology.
The current 2025 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid offers 38 miles of all-electric range and a total hybrid range of up to 420 miles1, and the 2025 Outlander recently benefited from extensive interior and exterior updates, retuned steering and suspension, and America’s first automotive Yamaha2 audio system. Both vehicles feature Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC)3 system, providing confidence and control in a variety of driving conditions.
“We are thrilled that both Outlander and Outlander Plug-in Hybrid are being recognized together,” said Mark Chaffin, president and CEO of MMNA. “These vehicles reflect Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to sustainable, practical mobility solutions. From the mild-hybrid efficiency of Outlander to the expanded electric range of the PHEV, families will have more options than ever to enjoy eco-friendly driving without compromise.”
Chaffin continued, “As part of our Momentum 2030 plan, where we promised a new or revised vehicle each year from now until 2030, we strive to develop environmentally friendly innovations that balance sustainability with the real-world needs of drivers and families. And, of course, we will continue to deliver those vehicles with the value for money that our customers expect from us.”
Previous Green Car Journal award winners have included vehicles offering multiple powertrain choices, but never sister models marketed as distinct vehicles.