It's here - the all-new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has just made its global debut through an online event streamed through Amazon Live a few moments ago. 

A much more handsome SUV

'I-Fu-Do-Do', meaning authentic and majestic in Japanese, was a term much bandied around by the designers during the livestream.

Essentially, the design signature for this fourth-gen Outlander - termed as 'Bold Stride' - introduces a more confident and sharper design than the outgoing generation.

Up front, the 'Dynamic Shield' front fascia looks like a more rounded-off Mitsubishi Xpander. The cues are there - huge LED headlights in the middle of the bumper, and squinty daytime running lights (DRLs) flanking the X-motif grille. 

With a swoopy profile capped by a sharp rear-end, the new Outlander cuts a sleeker figure than the outgoing generation for sure. 

18-inch wheels are standard, but the car in this pictures wear the optional 20-inch units.

Creature comforts inside

The interior has got the shake-up it deserves too, with a simple, clean design. 

The biggest news here is the available 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster, which is a first for any Mitsubishi model. There's also a 10.8-inch head-up display (HUD) too, depending on variant.

Gone also is the old dashboard-integrated touchscreen infotainment system, replaced by a new, floating-type 9-inch unit with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Depending on variant, the 7-seater gets semi-aniline, quilted leather first- and second-row seats (standard leather seats for the third row), as well as a massive sunroof. It's all very upmarket, this.

Speaking of upmarket, the Outlander gets double-glazed front windows and windshield for better sound insulation.

Other creature comforts include USB-A and USB-C charging ports, a wireless charger by the centre console, rear air-cond vents, and a powered tailgate with kick-sensor.

Beyond that, the new Outlander also comes with Mitsubishi Connect smart car system (remote start function, among others), and a 10-speaker Bose sound system.

Under the skin

As a result of Mitsubishi's close alliance with Renault and Nissan, the latest Outlander sits on the CMF-CD platform which also underpins the equally-new T33-generation 2021 Nissan X-Trail, also known as the Nissan Rogue in the North American market.

The Outlander is powered by a 2.5-litre, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine capable of making 183 PS and 245 Nm, which is also shared with the X-Trail. 

Power is sent to all-four wheels (Super All-Wheel Control in Mitsubishi's parlance) via a CVT with 8 virtual ratios.

Safety features

Standard on the Outlander are 11 airbags. Higher-end variants also get Mitsubishi's Mi-Pilot advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functions such as:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go (ACC)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
• 360-degree camera

Hitting Malaysian streets when?

The all-new Outlander will go up for sale in North America first in April 2021, with the global market to follow thereafter.

That, compounded by the lead time required to prep this model for local assembly (CKD), expect the all-new Outlander to only make it to Malaysia sometime in 2023 or so.