2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Comparison Overview
Deciding between budget-friendly crossovers often boils down to raw efficiency versus slightly more punch, and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ($24,445 MSRP) battles the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross ($24,935 MSRP) right there. While the Outlander Sport offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), making it appealing for slick conditions, it lags significantly in running costs, achieving only 26 MPG combined. The Corolla Cross counters this by delivering a superior 32 MPG combined rating, translating to hundreds saved annually. Power is also split; the Corolla Cross boasts 169 hp compared to the Outlander Sport's 148 hp, along with slightly better torque (151 lb-ft vs. 145 lb-ft). Furthermore, the Toyota offers a bit more utility with 24 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Mitsubishi's 21.7 cubic feet. If your priority is maximizing miles between fill-ups and having slightly better highway performance, the efficiency gains of the Corolla Cross are compelling, even at a slightly higher initial price.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The Corolla Cross wins for commuters due to its exceptional 32 MPG combined fuel economy.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Families will appreciate the slightly larger 24 cu ft of cargo capacity offered by the Corolla Cross.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The Corolla Cross provides more zest with 169 hp, clearly outperforming the Outlander Sport's 148 hp.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Despite lower MPG, the Outlander Sport saves $490 upfront and includes standard All-Wheel Drive, boosting its immediate value proposition.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- You absolutely need All-Wheel Drive standard for inclement weather and want to save $490 on the starting MSRP ($24,445).
- You prefer a slightly smaller footprint, as the Outlander Sport is about 4 inches shorter in length (171.9 inches).
- You are comfortable with 23 MPG city driving knowing you've secured AWD capability at a lower entry point.
Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, as the Corolla Cross achieves 32 MPG combined versus the Outlander Sport's 26 MPG.
- You frequently carry bulky items, benefiting from the Corolla Cross's 24 cu ft of cargo space compared to 21.7 cu ft.
- You desire slightly better acceleration, given the Corolla Cross's 169 hp output against the Outlander Sport's 148 hp.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.9" | 176.1" |
| Width | 71.3" | 71.9" |
| Height | 64.8" | 64.9" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 103.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm | 169 hp @ 6600 rpm |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm | 151 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 23/29 MPG | 31/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 32 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 363.4/458.2 mi. | 384.4/409.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.8 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | With Real Time Traffic |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.4 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.6 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.2 in. | 52.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.1 in. | 52.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.9 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.3 in. | 32.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.5 in. | 52.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.6 in. | 43.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | Full |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 6.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P215/70R16 | P215/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
Warranty
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Which vehicle is better if I have a long highway commute?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is the clear choice for long highway commutes because it achieves 33 MPG on the highway, significantly better than the Outlander Sport's 29 MPG highway rating. This efficiency difference will save you money over hundreds of miles per month.
Does the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport come standard with AWD?
Yes, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, which is a major advantage if you frequently encounter snow or slippery roads. The standard drive type for the Corolla Cross is Front Wheel Drive.
How much more powerful is the Corolla Cross?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross offers 169 horsepower, giving it an advantage of 21 horsepower over the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's 148 hp. This translates to better passing power, especially when the vehicles are loaded.
Which crossover has more space inside?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross wins slightly on pure storage, offering 24 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport provides 21.7 cubic feet, which is adequate but less expansive for hauling gear.
Are the operating costs similar since both use regular unleaded fuel?
While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Corolla Cross will have substantially lower annual fueling costs due to its 6 MPG combined efficiency advantage (32 MPG vs. 26 MPG).
Is the difference in size noticeable between these two crossovers?
They are close, but the Corolla Cross is slightly larger overall, measuring 176.1 inches long compared to the Outlander Sport’s 171.9 inches. They are almost identical in height and width.
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