Top 3 Mitsubishi Vehicles for Summer Camping in Northern Ontario

Summer in Northwestern Ontario is short, and the camping season fills up fast. A weekend at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, a longer trip out to Quetico, a paddle into the Boundary Waters from Atikokan, an evening fishing the north shore of Lake Superior — the right vehicle makes the difference between a smooth trip and one where the gear never quite fits right.

The Mitsubishi lineup offers three strong options for summer camping, each suited to a different kind of camper. From loading up a full family for a week under canvas to heading solo to a backcountry put-in, one of these three will fit the trip. Here is how they compare for Thunder Bay campers, and which one earns the top pick for your next Northern Ontario adventure.

At a Glance: Camping Specs Across the 2026 Mitsubishi Lineup

1. 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander — Best for Family Camping and Big Loads

If you are packing the whole family and enough gear for a full week under canvas, the 2026 Outlander is the clear pick. With up to 1,822 L of cargo space behind the front seats, standard 7-passenger seating, and 907 kg (2,000 lbs) of tow capacity, it handles serious camping trips without compromise.

What makes the Outlander a camping workhorse:

• 1,822 L maximum cargo with all rear seats folded — enough for a family tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses, a large cooler, a camp kitchen setup and still room for firewood
• 7-passenger standard seating with a 40/20/40 split-folding 2nd row and fold-flat 3rd row — carry the whole family plus their gear, or fold one side of the 3rd row for long items like fishing rods
• 210–213 mm (8.3–8.4 in) ground clearance — enough to navigate gravel access roads to Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls, or the backroads around Lake of the Woods without scraping
• Roof rails available on SE, LE, SEL and GT — mount a cargo box for a week's worth of gear, a canoe rack, or a rooftop tent setup
• 907 kg (2,000 lbs) tow capacity — enough for a small tent trailer, a pair of personal watercraft, or a utility trailer loaded with bikes and coolers
• Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Gravel and Mud drive modes — confidence on rough Forest Service roads

The 2026 Outlander also introduces a new 1.5L turbocharged mild-hybrid powertrain with 206 lb-ft of torque — handy when you are hauling a loaded trailer up the grade out of Nipigon or pulling away from a gas station with a packed vehicle.

Best for: Families of four to seven, multi-day trips, drive-in campgrounds, tow-along setups.

2. 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross — Best All-Rounder for Couples and Small Groups

For two or three campers who want real versatility without stepping all the way up to a three-row SUV, the 2026 Eclipse Cross is the sweet spot in the lineup. It delivers 1,419 L of cargo behind the front seats, 215 mm (8.5 in) of ground clearance, and the same Super All-Wheel Control system that sets Mitsubishi apart.

Why the Eclipse Cross fits the Thunder Bay camping brief:

• 1,419 L of cargo with the rear seats folded — plenty for two-person camping kits, a kayak trip with full paddling gear, or a couple's weekend setup at Quetico
• 215 mm (8.5 in) ground clearance — slightly more than the Outlander, useful on rutted or washed-out access roads
• Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Snow, Gravel and Normal modes — Gravel mode is the one you will use on Forest Service roads and cottage approaches
• Tow capacity up to 907 kg (2,000 lbs) with two occupants, or 680 kg (1,500 lbs) with five — enough for a small utility trailer, a pair of bikes on a hitch rack, or a lightweight pop-up tent trailer
• Hands-free power liftgate and power panoramic sunroof — practical luxuries that make loading gear easier and opening up the cabin at camp more enjoyable
• Heated front and rear seats with heated steering wheel — welcome on cool Northwestern Ontario mornings even in July

The Eclipse Cross is especially well suited to couples, small groups, and campers who split their weekends between serious trips and shorter local getaways around the Thunder Bay area.

Best for: Couples and pairs, two-person paddling or fishing trips, weekenders who also use the vehicle as a daily driver.

3. 2026 Mitsubishi RVR — Best for Solo Campers and Efficient Road Trips

For solo campers, weekend explorers, and anyone who wants an efficient subcompact that still handles Northern Ontario access roads, the 2026 RVR is the lineup's value pick. With 1,402 L of maximum cargo behind the front seats, 215 mm (8.5 in) of ground clearance, and available All-Wheel Control, it punches above its size class.

What the RVR brings to a camping trip:

• 1,402 L maximum cargo — a genuinely strong number for a subcompact SUV; enough for a solo bikepacking trip, a weekend kayak mission, or backpacking setup with a bear canister and a week of food
• 215 mm (8.5 in) ground clearance — matches the Eclipse Cross; handles rough side roads to put-ins and trailheads
• All-Wheel Control (AWC) with three driver-selectable modes — 2WD for highway efficiency, 4WD Auto for changing conditions, 4WD Lock for gravel and sand
• Roof rails available — mount a kayak, a cargo box, or a canoe with standard crossbars
• Stronger fuel economy than the Outlander or Eclipse Cross — the 2.0L ES FWD is rated at 9.7 / 7.8 / 8.8 L/100 km (city / highway / combined)

The RVR's smaller footprint also makes it easier to park at busy trailheads and popular put-ins where space is tight. For campers who prioritize fuel economy on the long drive up to Pukaskwa or out to Nipigon, the RVR's efficiency pays off on every trip.

Best for: Solo travellers, couples packing light, fuel-conscious road trippers, campers who want a capable vehicle that stays nimble in the city.

Which One Should You Pick?

The right Mitsubishi for Northern Ontario camping depends on three questions:

• How many people are coming? Four or more, or kids in carpools, points to the Outlander. Two or three points to the Eclipse Cross or RVR.
• How much gear are you hauling? Full tent-trailer setups and week-long family trips lean Outlander. Weekend and solo trips suit the Eclipse Cross or RVR.
• How rough are your access roads? All three handle gravel and Forest Service roads well, with 210+ mm of ground clearance and standard or available AWD across the lineup.

For a broad-brush recommendation: the Outlander is the best family camping SUV in the Mitsubishi lineup, the Eclipse Cross is the most balanced all-rounder, and the RVR is the smartest pick for solo campers and efficient weekend trips.

See All Three at Thunder Bay Mitsubishi

Camping gear tends to grow over time — it helps to see the cargo area in person before you buy. Our Thunder Bay Mitsubishi team keeps the Outlander, Eclipse Cross and RVR on the lot so you can load up a rough simulation of your kit and see how it fits.

Stop by our Thunder Bay showroom to compare all three Mitsubishi SUVs side by side, or book a test drive and take one out on a route that mimics the drive to your favourite campsite.