I _think_ the reason for the compulsory 3rd row is that it now qualifies for some kind of tax/rebate incentives. I actually did try to get into that ... once :)
A simple google search brings up this:
https://clg.org/Class-Action/List-of-Class-Actions/Mitsubishi-Outlander-PHEV-Defective-Battery-Heater-Canadian-Class-Action
I don't know what progress/state this is in.
On my 2019 I did but some screening over the air intake. This intake was under the hood and a nice, direct path into the engine air filter and (as I recall ... can't check since the car was totaled) into the passenger compartment air filter.
I ended up putting some bait under the hood using...
I think that if you start the car with the lights off (on the stalk off the steering wheel), e-brake on and foot on the brake the running lights will not come on.