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Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV, the family mid-sized SUV that started the trend for Plug-in Hybrids, returns to a now-crowded market segment. And much other than the name is familiar with this well-priced, well engineered contender.
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Detailed ratings
Large-Sized Family Hatch-Based SUVs
Background
A familiar name returns to the market it originated - Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV.
History records that it was one car, Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV, that kick-started the UK's currently almost insatiable desire for Plug-in Hybrids. The original version of this model was launched back in 2014 when PHEVs were virtually unheard of and, helped in Britain by a £2,500 UK government grant, was an instant hit.
By 2018, by which point over 115,000 versions of the car had been sold across Europe (and the Outlander PHEV was accounting for almost half of all pluggable car sales on our shores), it was time for a very effective update. But ironically, sales fell off a cliff at this point thanks partly to the ending of the government grant and partly because of an explosion of new rival mid-sized PHEV crossover models from other brands. Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, who had depended on the Outlander PHEV for almost half of its sales, never recovered and pulled out of Britain completely in Autumn 2021.
But now the brand is back, with a new UK distributor (IM Group), a new sales network and a new product line-up spearheaded by the two model lines that sold best under the old regime, the L200 pick-up and the Outlander PHEV that's our focus here.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 46995 | 46995 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 60 | 60 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 106 | 106 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Min | Max |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 53 | 53 |
| Length (mm) | 4720 | 4720 |
| Width (mm) | 1862 | 1862 |
| Height (mm) | 1751 | 1751 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 362 | 872 |
Driving experience
As with its predecessor, the drivetrain of this Outlander PHEV is based around a 2.4-litre petrol engine, but here it develops a fair bit more power - 302bhp. A mere 134bhp of that comes from the combustion unit; the rest is provided by the two electric motors, a 114bhp one at the front and a 134bhp unit at the rear, the two creating AWD capability. Despite that, there's only 195Nm of torque so performance isn't especially arresting, 62mph from rest despatched in 7.9s en route to a limited 106mph maximum.
By then, you'll have passed the 40mph crossover point between the electric mode this Mitsubishi always starts off in and petrol power, a transition which is very smooth. EV drive range from the 22.7kWh battery is substantially more than the old car, at 53 miles - about the same as various rival Stellantis-brand models who lag behind the top (VW Group-set) class standard for this kind of car. There are seven selectable drive modes for different conditions.
This Outlander has a lot more ground clearance than most of its rivals (200mm), so it'll be better on rutted tracks than PHEV SUVs and crossovers of this sort usually are. Even if you didn't know that, you might guess it from the high and commanding driving position, which some will like and some won't. Expect a decent ride, though it may be unsettled by extreme potholes and speed humps. And, like the old model, highway refinement is excellent. Not so good is the intrusive nature of the various ADAS drive assist features. The braked towing weight is up to 1,600kg.
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Design and build
In a segment of five or seven-seat models that often look more crossover than SUV, the Outlander PHEV is very definitely an SUV. Especially from the front, where big corner cut-outs make an imposing overtaking statement. And from the side where the higher-than-usual 200mm ride height suggests that this Mitsubishi might be a little more rough road-ready than most of its contemporaries. The rear is more anonymous, with horizontal LED tail lights flanking the familiar brand badge. There's a subtle roof spoiler and a grey skid plate-style insert in the lower bumper.
The front of the cabin is what the brand calls 'a serene environment'. You might feel differently. This looks like what it is, a cabin designed in the last decade, so two 12.3-inch separated dashboard screens, scattered physical switchgear and a chunky old-fashioned gear selector on the centre console (borrowed from a Nissan Qashqai). Adding to the 'last decade' vibe are the old generation graphics of the TomTom navigation system. But, like us, you might find all the buttons (the four-spoke wheel is festooned with them) a refreshing change from the minimalist over-simplicity favoured by the segment's Chinese brands. And you're seated higher and more commandingly than with most rivals.
The second row is reasonably spacious, with comfortable room for two adults and the bench set 30mm higher to give a good view out (though this eats into headroom with the glass sunroof fitted). There's plenty of leg room and the backrest offers three-stage adjustment.
What you get behind depends on the trim level you choose. The 'Diamond' version is a five-seat model with a big boot. If you prioritise people over packages, you'll opt for the 'Nativa' variant with its third seating row provision - the first time an Outlander PHEV has offered such a thing. Three seating rows are by no means a given with PHEV crossovers - VW Group models can't offer that, for instance. As usual on the car this class, the rear-most pews are primarily designed for kids.
As for boot space, well in the seven-seat version, there's up to 362-litres even with all three rows upright, which is quite impressive. That expands to 872-litres with the third row folded. In the five-seat version, there's a 498-litre boot extendable to 1,404-litres. A 230V socket is provided in the boot (ideal for things like e-bikes or camping gear). Payload capacity is 711kg.
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Market and model
Prices start at around £47,000 for the seven-seat 'Nativa' variant most will want. And there's a choice of two versions - the seven-seat 'Nativa' or the five-seat 'Diamond'. Mitsubishi's new importers, the IM Group, have established a UK dealer network of 60 sites - to complement an after-sales network of over 100 sites. There's a choice of four paintwork colours; 'White', 'Moonstone Grey', 'Black Diamond' and (on the 'Nativa' version) 'Red Diamond'.
As you'd expect, there's plenty of standard equipment. The 'Nativa' model gets 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, a head-up display and keyless entry as standard. The 'Diamond' spec adds memory massaging front seats and a 12-speaker Yamaha sound system. With both variants, the 12.3-inch centre screen has embedded Google Maps. You get all the usual ADAS features - autonomous braking, lane departure warning, speed limit warning and driver monitoring alerts. Disabling these via the centre screen (it's 'Driver Ass. Cust.' Menu) isn't a particularly easy process.
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Cost of ownership
The WLTP-rated combined cycle mpg is 313mpg (assuming you select the most frugal 'ECO' drive mode) though as usual with a Plug-in Hybrid SUV, what you'll actually get in everyday use (probably 40-50mpg) will be more like what you would have got a few years ago in a decent diesel version of a car of this sort. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the all-electric range is rated at 53 miles.
Replenishing the 22.7kWh battery takes around four hours from a single-phase 7.4kW AC garage wallbox - or roughly 12-16 hours from a domestic household socket. Curiously, the brand has stuck with CHAdeMO charging tech rather than the more modern Type 2 or CCS standard. However, this does enable rapid DC charging, getting the battery to 80% in only 32 minutes.
Keep this SUV fully charged and a combined range of more than 500 miles should be possible. Expect CO2 emissions of around 60g/km. In an impressive display of product confidence, Mitsubishi is backing this new-era Outlander with an extensive eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty package (whichever comes first).
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Summary
Mitsubishi has more experience with Plug-in Hybrid drivetrains than most of its rivals - and it shows with this Outlander PHEV. This second generation model is exactly the kind of car that might appeal to owners who purchased earlier or later versions of the first design - sensible, comfortable, refined and well-equipped. With the added bonus now of longer EV range and the third row seating option the old car could never offer.
There are certainly cheaper, more interesting-looking, better-handling and longer-ranging mainstream brand mid-sized PHEV family crossovers in the class. But we can still see why some might think that the original player in this segment is still the best.
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