2028 Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond Trail Adds Rock Mode
Mitsubishi is giving the 2028 Outlander a factory off-road edition with a new Rock drive mode, all-terrain tires and bumpers that improve its approach and departure angles. The Outlander Diamond Trail Edition is a planned North American production model—not merely one of the modified concepts Mitsubishi will display beside it at the 2026 SEMA Show.
The model makes its world debut in Las Vegas from November 3–6. Mitsubishi calls it the most capable Outlander it has offered, but pricing, U.S. on-sale timing and powertrain specifications remain unannounced.
Rock mode changes how S-AWC manages traction
The Diamond Trail Edition adds a Rock setting to Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control system. Mitsubishi says the mode applies enhanced brake control more quickly than the Outlander’s other drive modes to suppress wheelspin and maintain traction on rocky or uneven ground.
Selecting Rock mode also activates Hill Descent Control automatically. The driver can adjust the speed the system holds, while a new instrument-cluster display shows the front-wheel steering angle, wheel slip at each corner and traction-control intervention.
Mitsubishi also extends low-speed operation of the Multi-View Camera System. It can remain active at speeds up to 18.6 mph, or 30 km/h, rather than the standard model’s 6.2-mph/10-km/h limit. The cameras remain driver-assistance tools; Mitsubishi instructs drivers to check the vehicle’s surroundings directly.
Revised bumpers improve the basic geometry
New front and rear bumpers increase the approach angle from 18.3 to 20.5 degrees and the departure angle from 22.2 to 23.1 degrees. Mitsubishi has not disclosed ground clearance or a breakover angle, so the published figures do not provide a complete measure of trail capability.
The production configuration uses 18-by-7.5-inch black alloy wheels and Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires. Matte-black grille and Dynamic Shield trim, black-finished headlamps, larger fender flares and raised roof rails separate the Diamond Trail from a regular Outlander.
Trail Green Metallic is a new paint color and can be paired with a white roof. Inside, dark gray seats with khaki stitching use a water-repellent, easier-to-clean material. Matte and textured finishes replace some glossy cabin surfaces, and Diamond Trail logos appear on the seats, floor mats and door trim.
The powertrain is still an open question
Mitsubishi has not identified the engine, transmission or electrification system for the North American Diamond Trail Edition. It has also withheld horsepower, torque, fuel economy, towing capacity and payload. The announcement should therefore not be read as confirmation that the new trim uses either the current gasoline Outlander powertrain or the Outlander PHEV system.
The company’s Canadian release says sales there will begin in the first half of 2027, with pricing to follow. The U.S. consumer page lists the vehicle as “coming soon” but does not give a sales date or price. Regional equipment may differ.
Three SEMA vehicles, but only one shows the stock trim
Mitsubishi will display three Diamond Trail Editions at SEMA. One represents the production vehicle with genuine accessories and a roof box. A second adds 265/65R18 BFGoodrich tires, a 1.5-inch aftermarket lift, extra lighting and a trailer. The most extreme display build uses a 2.5-inch lift, different wheels and tires, a rooftop tent and additional recovery equipment.
Those lifted builds are demonstrations, not the standard Diamond Trail specification. That distinction mirrors the difference between Mitsubishi’s confirmed production model and Toyota’s one-off Crown Signia GT-S SEMA concept.
The Diamond Trail arrives in an increasingly crowded market for adventure-themed family crossovers. Chiefs Review recently covered the 2027 Mazda CX-5 lineup with standard all-wheel drive; Mitsubishi is taking a more specialized route by adding off-road control logic, tires and revised body geometry to its own compact SUV.
Featured image: pre-production 2028 Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond Trail Edition. Credit: Mitsubishi Motors North America. Manufacturer image used for editorial reporting; source and vehicle information.