the outlander arrived in 2003 in north america, replacing the mitsubishi montero sport, with a modified front grille and headlights which increased the overall length by approximately , and the two models were manufactured in parallel thereafter. it shared its platform with the mitsubishi grandis, also introduced in 2003. a version of the "4g64" powerplant was offered first, while a "4g69" 2.4 l sohc mivec i4 producing and , and the turbocharged "4g63t" appeared in 2004. all had the option of front- or four-wheel drive.