2012 Mitsubishi Outlander — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is an SUV offered with 3 engines (2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) / 27 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 25–32 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Mitsubishi Outlander workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Related 2012 listings: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Compared with the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 32 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 3L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 32 combined / 30 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 27 combined / 25 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 205 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,500 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 7 configurations for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander across 3 engines (2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 27 mpg (US), or 25 to 32 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (23/28) | 221 | $2,700 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 27 (25/30) | 205 | $2,500 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (24/30) | 212 | $2,600 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (22/27) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/28) | 221 | $2,700 |
| 3L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/24) | 263 | $3,900 |
| 3L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 251 | $3,750 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Running Costs: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander at 32 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,136 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Visibility (4), Structure (2), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Structure — campaign 20V279000, reported 18 May 2020. Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Visibility — campaign 18V103000, reported 9 February 2018. Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 18V069000, reported 26 January 2018. Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Visibility — campaign 17V461000, reported 20 July 2017. Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 10 campaigns.
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most-reported areas are Air bags (8), Power train (7), Engine (5). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, 1 reported death. That is well below the median of 60 complaints across the 17 Mitsubishi Outlander model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Visibility (4 recall campaigns) — Check wipers, washers and demisters work properly.
- Body structure (2 recall campaigns) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Suspension (1 recall campaign · 5 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Engine cooling (1 recall campaign) — Check coolant level, look for leaks and make sure the temperature stays steady in traffic.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Mitsubishi Outlander compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 32 mpg figure is 5 mpg better than that average. Its 205 g/km CO₂ figure is 48 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
At 32 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 33 mpg average for Mitsubishi models in our database.
Of the 17 Mitsubishi Outlander model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 2nd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (32 mpg UK combined, against a high of 34 mpg). See every Mitsubishi Outlander year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander: 2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl with a automatic (av-s6).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The most efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, or 27 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 25 to 32 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Visibility (4), Structure (2), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Among the 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (8 complaints), Power train (7 complaints), Engine (5 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.