Originally introduced in Japan in February 1991, this nameplate began as a compact recreational vehicle built around Mitsubishi’s then-growing RV lineup. The first generation used a short-nose, tall-cabin layout and a flexible interior concept, with sliding-door packaging that made it stand out from more conventional compact utility vehicles. A second generation followed in 1997, continuing the idea of a versatile, compact-sized leisure vehicle and broadening the model’s appeal with more contemporary SUV-like styling.
After its original run ended, the nameplate returned in 2010 on a very different vehicle: an all-new compact crossover positioned for the modern SUV era. This revival marked a shift from the original multi-purpose RV formula to a more mainstream crossover design, and it was marketed in some regions under alternate names such as ASX and Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi has continued to use the nameplate in select markets, including Japan, rather than treating it as a one-off revival.
As a result, this is a nameplate with two distinct production periods separated by a gap: the original 1991-era RV and the later 2010 revival as a compact crossover.