Mitsubishi will unveil a rugged version of its Outlander at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, called the Diamond Trail Edition, and has confirmed it will join the lineup for the 2028 model year. The brand describes it as the most capable Outlander ever sold in North America.
The trim is the production centrepiece of a six-vehicle SEMA stand built around Mitsubishi's Momentum 2030 plan, which aims to grow the brand's North American presence by 2030 with a heavier emphasis on off-road-capable models.
What the Diamond Trail Edition changes
The most visible changes are a matte black grille, darkened headlights, new front and rear bumpers, aggressive fender flares, raised roof rails and 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tyres. The bodywork lifts the approach angle from 18.3 degrees to 20.5 degrees and the rear departure angle from 22.2 degrees to 23.1 degrees. A new Trail Green Metallic paint option debuts with the trim.
Inside, the seats wear dark grey water-repellent trim with khaki stitching, and the piano black plastic of the standard car is replaced by matte black, dark chrome and dark satin accents, including on the centre console. Seat backs, door trim and floor mats carry a Diamond Trail Edition logo that Mitsubishi says symbolises athletes on a downhill skiing course while referencing its diamond motif.
Rock mode and the unchanged powertrain
The mechanical headline is an adapted Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system with an exclusive Rock mode, which works alongside Hill Descent Control to improve traction and suppress wheel slip. Drivers can also call up steering angle, wheel-slip and traction-control intervention on a dedicated instrument cluster display, and the multi-view camera system now operates at up to 18.6 mph (30 km/h) rather than 6.2 mph (10 km/h).
The engine is carried over unchanged: a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. That matters because the Diamond Trail Edition is a capability and appearance package rather than a new powertrain, so buyers after more grunt will not find it here.
Two concepts join it on the stand
Mitsubishi is bringing two concepts based on the Diamond Trail Edition with heavier modifications. One runs 18-inch Method Race wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K03 tyres, a 2.5-inch lift kit, a Thule Caprock roof rack with a rooftop tent, traction boards, light pods and an LED light bar. The second is more restrained, with unique 18-inch wheels, a 1.5-inch lift, aftermarket lighting and a roof rack carrying a pair of mountain bikes.
The rest of the SEMA display includes the AXCR Triton that won the Asia Cross-Country Rally, the Delica D:5 Ultimate Gear van shown at January's Tokyo Auto Show, and an Outlander Sport Trail Edition. Mark Chaffin, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, framed the lineup as the next step in the Momentum 2030 vision, combining the brand's off-road heritage with the capability, technology and versatility today's customer demands.
Price and timing still open
Mitsubishi has not announced pricing or an on-sale date for the Diamond Trail Edition. Car and Driver expects the trim to start above $45,000, slotting above the current Outlander Trail Edition, which begins at around $42,500 for the 2027 model year. That figure is the outlet's estimate, not a manufacturer figure.
The wider context is a compact SUV segment where the standard Outlander tends to be overlooked, and an off-road halo trim is a low-cost way for Mitsubishi to buy attention while it builds out the rugged side of its range. The catch for Australian buyers is that the Diamond Trail Edition has been announced for North America only, and there is no word on whether it will be offered here.
