You've probably heard of Mitsubishi's all-wheel-drive system, called Super All-Wheel Control. The name alone gives you a pretty good idea of what it's meant to do. But do you really know what it means?
In a few words, it's the safest and most dynamic system offered on Mitsubishi vehicles. It's inspired by the brand's long rally heritage, where Mitsubishi collected multiple world championship titles.
You can almost see performance‑minded drivers grinning already. After all, what's more exciting than rally driving? While your Outlander can certainly draw on that spirit, it doesn't necessarily mean you're ready to win a special stage. S‑AWC has a very specific mission: keeping you in control, no matter what the conditions are.
From a technical standpoint, S‑AWC is unique, even though it behaves like a regular front‑wheel‑drive system most of the time. In reality, it's an "intelligent" all‑wheel drive setup that manages both front/rear and left/right torque distribution, while also coordinating the brakes and stability systems to influence the vehicle's trajectory. It stands apart from more traditional AWD/4x4 systems that generally just send power to all four wheels without truly fine‑tuning cornering behaviour.
S‑AWC relies on a network of computers and sensors (wheel speed, steering angle, acceleration, grip level, drive mode) to continuously adjust traction and stability. In practice, it modulates torque between the front and rear (using an active centre differential or centre clutch), and side to side, combining torque vectoring and individual wheel braking.
Recent models (Outlander, Eclipse Cross, PHEV, etc.) offer several S‑AWC modes (Eco, Normal, Snow, Gravel, Tarmac or similar, depending on the model). Each mode changes how torque is distributed and how much wheel slip is allowed. For example, Eco favours the front wheels and efficiency, while Snow/Gravel allows more torque to be sent to the rear and more brake intervention to maximize traction.
All this tech talk can sound a bit dry, and that's understandable. The key takeaway is that Mitsubishi's all‑wheel drive uses every available sensor to make sure all four of your wheels stay as controlled as possible at all times. And yes, in some cases, real rally drivers helped tune the system to keep you safe while still preserving a fun‑to‑drive character.
These features really shine in winter when roads are icy or covered in snow. But you'll also appreciate them in summer, when you carve through curves and feel all four wheels glued to the pavement.
The good news is that every Mitsubishi utility vehicle can benefit from this technology, whether it's the Eclipse Cross, RVR or Outlander. Even the electrified Outlander PHEV has its own version.
Driving a Mitsubishi is more than just driving an SUV. It's driving a vehicle that protects you and your family, without forgetting your enjoyment behind the wheel on seats with memory, and luxury comforts. Long drives feel effortless!
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