At the Japan Mobility Show 2025, Mitsubishi has unveiled the Elevance SUV concept — a quad-motor plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) six-seater SUV paired with a trailer, which the company says was developed to “elevate the quality of time spent inside the vehicle”.
The concept is as much a design study as it is a tech showcase. Powering the Mitsubishi Elevance Concept SUV is a plug-in hybrid system, which will comprise a carbon-neutral fuel-compatible engine, a large-capacity “traction battery”, and four in-wheel motors for a four-wheel drive set up.
The company says that the system delivers “exhilarating performance of an electric motor drive”, which hints at a series-hybrid set up, where the highly-efficient engine charges the battery, which energises the motors to drive the wheel.
The system also integrates Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) technology, with Active Yaw Control (AYC) fitted to the rear axle to further refine power distribution and enhance handling stability, especially off-roads.
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The Mitsubishi Elevance Concept presents a rugged, bold, and muscular design that is yet smooth and elegant, suitable for rugged off-roading and calm city drives. It wears an evolved version of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield design philosophy, featuring the brand’s signature honeycomb-structured grille in a partially closed-off look.
The side windows have been noticeably lowered, revealing most of the passenger seats. Mitsubishi says it’s meant to let passengers enjoy the view while on the move — though it’s hard to say how this will go down with safety regulators.
Inside the cabin, it hosts a very open feel, almost as if passengers are sitting on an open shell. The instrument panel features a large screen extending across the entire span of the dashboard, although the outer curved portion seems to be reserved for wing mirror camera duties.
As it is developed for families to go anywhere and have a good time, the car features a three-row, six-passenger seating layout. The front seats can rotate to face the rear, turning the cabin into a space for relaxed, face-to-face conversation when parked.
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The Mitsubishi Elevance Concept also comes with an “AI Co-Driver”, shown on the steering wheel’s LCD display and instrument panel. The feature offers personalised destination suggestions based on the driver’s lifestyle and preferences. It also analyses its surroundings and vehicle status in real time to recommend optimal drive modes based on road conditions.
The Mitsubishi Elevance Concept offers a fresh and premium glimpse into the brand’s vision for tomorrow’s SUVs, hinting at a more adventurous direction for its future lineup. While these features may not reach production anytime soon, it’d be exciting to see even a few of them make their way into upcoming models.
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