2028 Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond Trail Edition Debuts at SEMA With a New Rock Mode
Mitsubishi is heading back to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for the first time since 2012, and it is bringing a new off-road Outlander with it. The 2028 Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond Trail Edition makes its world debut at the show, which runs Nov. 3 to 6, and Mitsubishi calls it the most capable Outlander ever offered in North America.
The Outlander is already the brand’s best-selling nameplate in North America, so a trail-ready version aimed at adventurous families is a big deal. Mitsubishi has not announced pricing, powertrain details, or an on-sale date yet, but here is everything we know so far.
The Outlander Diamond Trail Edition Gets a New Rock Mode
The Outlander Diamond Trail Edition builds on the standard Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system with a new Rock mode. It uses enhanced brake control to quickly stop wheel slip and help find traction, and it reacts faster than the other S-AWC modes. When you select Rock mode, Hill Descent Control turns on automatically, and you can adjust the speed it holds on rocky or bumpy terrain.
In addition, a new instrument cluster screen shows front-wheel steering angle, individual wheel slip, and traction control intervention. The Multi-View Camera System also stays on up to 18.6 mph, up from 6.2 mph in the standard Outlander, which is a real help when you are picking a line on a trail.
Rugged Styling and Better Off-Road Angles
This Outlander looks the part. It gets a matte black grille, black Dynamic Shield trim, black-finished headlights, and aggressive over-fenders. Redesigned bumpers improve the approach angle from 18.3 to 20.5 degrees and the departure angle from 22.2 to 23.1 degrees.
Unique 18×7.5-inch black alloy wheels wear Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires, and raised roof rails make it easier to add a roof rack. The Diamond Trail Edition also debuts a new color, Trail Green Metallic, which can be paired with a white roof.
An Easy-Clean Cabin for Muddy Adventures
Inside, the Outlander Diamond Trail Edition gets a new dark grey seating material with khaki stitching. Better yet, Mitsubishi says the material repels water and is easier to clean, which sounds great to any parent who has dealt with muddy cleats and spilled drinks in the back seat.
Matte and dark trim finishes run throughout the cabin, and a Diamond Trail Edition logo appears on the seatbacks, floor mats, and door trim.
Three Diamond Trail Builds Headline the SEMA Booth
Mitsubishi will show three versions of the Outlander Diamond Trail Edition at Booth 52249 in the West Hall, all in Trail Green Metallic with a white roof. The first is nearly stock, with Mitsubishi Genuine Accessories and a color-matched Thule roof box. The second adds BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tires, a 1.5-inch lift from Anderson Design and Fabrication, Rough Country lighting, a Thule Caprock roof rack carrying two Specialized Stumpjumper 15 mountain bikes, and a matching GulfStream Trail Boss 1090K camper trailer.
The third build goes the furthest, with 18×8.5-inch Method Race Wheels 707 wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires, a 2.5-inch lift using Flatout Suspension’s GR Lite strut kit, a Thule Approach rooftop tent, Rough Country traction boards, and a Rough Country light bar and light pods.
Also on the stand are the AXCR Triton race truck, a modified Delica D:5 Ultimate Gear van making the first official U.S. appearance of a current-generation Delica D:5, and an Outlander Sport Trail Edition showing off dealer-available accessories. That Delica alone would be worth the trip for any young car fan.
Part of the Momentum 2030 Plan
The Diamond Trail Edition is the next step in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan, which we covered earlier this year. That plan calls for one new or fully refreshed model each year through 2030, with the U.S. lineup nearly doubling from today’s four vehicles. The recent global debut of the new Pajero also signals that Mitsubishi wants four-wheel-drive capability back at the center of the brand.
Our Take on the Outlander Diamond Trail Edition
I love seeing Mitsubishi lean back into the off-road heritage that made it famous. When we tested the Outlander PHEV, we saw firsthand how much family utility the Outlander packs, so a tougher version with real trail hardware makes a lot of sense. Here in Texas, plenty of families spend weekends at the lake, the deer lease, or a state park, and this is the kind of Outlander built for that life.
Still, the big questions are price and powertrain. If Mitsubishi keeps the Diamond Trail Edition reasonably close to a well-equipped Outlander, it could be a strong alternative to the off-road trims from other brands. We will be watching SEMA closely.
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