Compact SUV manufacturers update hybrid models to boost competitiveness

The compact SUV market remains highly competitive, with manufacturers introducing updates to maintain market share against a growing number of rivals, including new Chinese models.

Mitsubishi has updated the 2026 Outlander to stay relevant in the segment. The standard model now features a new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mild hybrid engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, supported by a 48-volt battery system. The plug-in hybrid variant has also received improvements.

In the hybrid SUV segment, the redesigned Suzuki Across is competing against models like the Omoda 7. While the Across maintains a robust design based on the Toyota RAV4 platform with all-wheel drive and a 18.7 cm ground clearance, the Omoda 7 offers a different aesthetic with a more fluid profile and a technological light signature.