Mitsubishi has released images and initial details of the restyled 2020 RVR compact crossover ahead of the car's global debut at the Geneva auto show.
While Mitsubishi says the RVR's exterior has "undergone a major overall," the changes amount to a styling exercise on a design that debuted in 2011.
We will grant Mitsubishi that the new front end looks much more distinctive. It also better links the RVR to the brand's newest crossover model, the Eclipse Cross.
The photos Mitsubishi shared with us show what look like LED headlights, but Mitsu doesn't say whether those will be standard or even optional in the Canadian market. The company's press release does call out the turn signals and fog lights, which form part of a "distinctive LED lighting layout." The taillights are LEDs, too.
RVR's other noteworthy update is an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which replaces a 7.0-inch display. As far as we can tell, that larger screen is all that's new about the 2020 model's interior.
The photos show a car labelled ASX, which is Mitsu's name for this car in overseas markets. In the US, the company markets this car as Outlander Sport.
Mitsubishi has carried over the current RVR's 2.0L and 2.4L engines, which will likely boast the same or similar 148 hp/145 lb-ft and 168 hp/167 lb-ft power ratings, respectively. Both come matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). AWD is optional with the 2.0L and standard in 2.4L variants.
Mitsubishi Canada says the RVR was its best-seller in 2018, and is the company's third-best seller globally. This is, then, a pretty mild update for a vehicle that is apparently "key to the company's global strategy."
In particular, we feel like Mitsubishi missed an opportunity to include the 1.5L turbo engine from the Eclipse Cross in the RVR's update; its 152 hp and 184 lb-ft would have made it a fine replacement for both of the RVR's existing engines.
Mitsubishi will likely release more details when it shows the 2020 RVR at the Geneva auto show in early March. The car is scheduled to reach the company's Canadian dealerships this fall, with pricing, trim and equipment details to be announced closer to that time.
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