By: Joshua Lee
October 20, 2023
The first-generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a strong record. It is the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV to hit the market in 2013, features DC fast charging up to 80% in 30 minutes, and is the third best-selling PHEV. Even though it hit the market in 2013, this SUV didn’t make it to Canada until 2018 and received an upgraded powertrain and larger battery pack three years later.
Now in its second generation, the Outlander PHEV is completely redesigned, sharing a platform and engine with the Nissan Rogue. Power comes from a 2.4L inline-four engine with 131 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque. There are also two electric motors: the front motor makes 114 horsepower, and the rear motor makes 134. Mitsubishi rates the powertrain as having a combined output of 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Driving the SUV in EV Mode maximizes your battery range with 61 km and features an enjoyable one-pedal driving experience. The acceleration is smooth and quick during low-speed pick-ups. When you try to step on it, the engine will come on to boost the electric motors. It is quite noisy when you push it, and we feel that the steering can be more weighted, as it’s a bit disorienting with how light it feels. Nevertheless, there are no issues with visibility, and it’s very easy to drive. Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control features seven drive modes as standard, ensuring that you will be in total control in any terrain.
Our Outlander PHEV is the top-of-the-line model trim, GT Premium S-AWC, which has a White Diamond paint finish and a black contrasting roof, 20-inch two-tone wheels, front and rear silver skid plate styling, body-coloured lower bumper garnish and side sills, LED headlights, silver painted roof rails, panoramic sunroof, and a rear spoiler. We love how stylish this SUV looks, and it’s quite unique with the daytime running lights and turn signals in a thin line that meshes well with the grille.
Stepping inside, the Outlander GT Premium has semi-aniline quilted leather seats with an 8-way power driver’s seat and 4-way power front passenger seats. Both rows are heated; a heated steering wheel, front massaging seats, a 9-speaker Bose Premium sound system, and a 10.8” heads-up display are also standard. The seating position is comfortable, and there is sufficient padding for a comfortable ride. The contrasting orange leather and diamond stitching give the interior a sporty, premium feel. The 12.3” digital driver’s display and 9” infotainment system are from Nissan, with clear graphics and easy-to-use controls. We also appreciate a separate climate control area with physical buttons. Second-row passengers will have the same spacious feeling as the front, with the ability to slide and recline for added comfort. The Outlander does feature 5+2 seating, with a third row suitable for two kids. Even for kids, we feel that this third row is mundane, as there is non-existent legroom even if you try to push the second row up and cramped headroom. A third-row delete will be a nice option and will decrease the overall weight of the vehicle. With the second row folded down, the Outlander PHEV has up to 1822L of cargo capacity.
The Outlander PHEV is equipped with a lot of standard driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, an acoustic vehicle alerting system, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.
According to Mitsubishi Canada, the Outlander PHEV is rated at 9.2L/100 KM city and 8.7L/100 KM highway, for a combined 9.0L/100 KM. It takes about 16 hours to charge the 20-kWh battery with 120V, 6.5 hours with 240V, and 38 minutes with fast charging. We are quite impressed with how efficient the Outlander is, as we reached 7.4L/100KM for the week.
There are five trims to choose from: the ES at $46,538, the LE at $51,238, the SEL at $54,048, the GT at $56,348, and the GT-Premium at $57,048. Our tester model came in at $59,598, including destination and handling.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is extremely underrated, and buyers who are looking for a plug-in SUV need to put this on their list. It does not look outrageously different from its gas-only counterpart; just EV badging on the front doors to differentiate. The EV range is enough for everyday driving, and we mainly relied on EV Mode for most of our driving. The Outlander PHEV is still the only plug-in hybrid SUV that features fast charging, making it really convenient on road trips. It’s a great-looking crossover that handles well, features a plush interior, and is well-equipped with all the tech you want. It’s good value for your money with a long 10-year/160,000KM battery and powertrain warranty and is eligible for $5000 from the iZEV Program.
