New cars are fun and exciting. Even though that is usually true, many cars share a platform, engine, and sometimes everything but a badge. The thing is, usually, automakers do their best to style them different enough to where most of us don’t notice or don’t care, like the 2021 Supra and BMW Z4, for instance. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has debuted, and even though the clues are subtle, beneath its shell lies the Nissan Rogue. 

Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander just a Nissan Rogue?

Yeah, pretty much. They may not look that similar at first glance, but there is more here than meets the eye. Mitsubishi did a good job re-styling the Rogue, but underneath, it’s a deadlock. According to MotorTrend, the differences might be subtle, but with a little knowledge and a bit of x-ray vision, the two are a couple of peas in a pod. 

MT reports that a Mitsubishi spokesperson confirmed that the two crossovers are, in fact, platform mates. The Nissan Rogue and 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander’s shared platform is a product of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Although the exterior looks and feels different, it’s what’s beneath that proves the point. Both SUVs share the underbody, suspension pickup points, cut lines for body panels, and the same 106.5-inch long wheelbase. 

They do have some differences 

Even though the starting point is the same, the 2022 Outlander does have some model-specific tunings that offer a unique experience from the Rogue. Mitsubishi told MT that the 2022 Outlander’s chassis has been tuned to improve the ride and handling of the SUV. This tuning should help differentiate the two enough to give the customer a sense of pride in the Outlander’s unique qualities. 

Maybe the most important part for most buyers is that the two look very different, inside and out. The Outlander exterior is clearly unique to itself and won’t make anyone think of a rebranded Rogue. 

The interior of the Outback is indeed all new and very different from the Rogue’s interior. However, the Outlander infotainment screen,  gear selector, and HVAC are the same as the Nissan’s, but who’s counting. The overall aesthetic of the two SUVs is different enough to satisfy new customers. 

The Outlander and Rogue will share the same engine

Unsurprisingly, the fraternal SUV twins both have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT. Although FWD is standard, both can be optioned for AWD. MotorTrend notes that it is not confirmed that these two have the same engine, but the fact that so many other things line up exactly and both engines share the same displacement, the chances are pretty high that these may be the same motor. 

However, there is one major difference in drivetrain between the two. Although they both have an optional AWD, Mitsubishi has the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) unique to Mitsubishi. The Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, its own proprietary “Intelligent AWD” system. Preference on either AWD system may be a determining factor customer’s decision-making process. 

Six in one hand, half in the other

One way or the other, Mitsubishi needed to come out with a new SUV to remain competitive. Since there was a strong platform for the taking, Mitsubishi combined forces and brought the world a new(ish) Outlander for the 2022 marketplace.