The Outlander has somewhat of a cult following in Australia. There isn’t neutrality to the car, you’ll either be head over heels for this car or absolutely abstain from it. It is this extremity that the Outlander uses to its advantage, the car is exceptionally comfortable and convenient. Let’s take a look at what the PHEV powertrain has to offer us.

Pros

• Australia’s first 10 years new car warranty and 10 years capped pricing service
• S-AWC
• Camera quality
• Headlights
  

Cons

• No space-saver tyre
• Single engine option
• Heavier than petrol counterpart
• Tyre noise seeps in the car cabin
  

What’s new?

• S-AWC
• Lane support system
  

The Outlander PHEV competes with the Ford Escape PHEV and MG HS PHEV. Apart from these, there aren’t any PHEVs at this price point just hybrids.

Exteriors

Styling Elements

The front is huge! Like bigger than you’d want to flex, the front grille is somewhat honeycomb but flattened at the top and bottom pattern. The entire inlay is not hollow, there are some inlets which are closed for accenting purposes. Besides the grille, there are two huge headlights which are circumnavigated by chrome highlights on one end. The Mistubioshi insignia is also enlarged above which Outlander is spelt with spaced-out alphabets. Both headlight units are split into 3 levels. The top ones are LED DRLs. The main headlights are situated in the middle which are reflector LEDs and are standard on all variants. Leading upto the final light which is the fog lamps which are standard on every variant except the ES 2WD. However different it may seem, we did not really love the front end.

The backend of the Outlander is something more to my taste. Simple and not too pompous. The LED rear lamps are not connected to each other but each on of them starts a bit from the side and ends sooner than you’d want. The ‘rear’ lamps are more on the side than on the rear. Apart from that there is a minimal yet existent loading lip on the boot side. The area below the lip has some chrome elements sparsely put on to give the Outlander a bit of fun personality.

Colour Options

The Mitsubishi Outlander is offered to the consumers in the following colours;

White | White Diamond | Sterling Silver | Graphite Grey | Red Diamond | Cosmic Blue | Black Diamond

Dual-tone colour options are; Black Diamond/ Sterling Silver | White Diamond/ Black Mica | Sterling Silver/ Black Mica | Graphite Grey/ Black Mica | Red Diamond/ Black Mica

The colours have 3 different lustres upon them, while there isn’t any flexibility there, do look at the colours before you invest. The types are; Metallic (M) | Pearlescent (P) | Prestige (X)

Wheel Design

The wheel designs on the Outlander are made to look exceptionally sporty and powerful. The entire athletic contouring over the wheel arches complements the 18-inch alloy wheel which has a Black Diamond Cut, if you’re into bigger wheels, there is the 20-inch premium black single-spoke alloy wheel which looks magnificent on the move and classy while still.

Interiors

Interior Layout & Space

The seats are exceptionally comfortable and allow for ventilation even when occupied, this keeps the seat mostly cooled. Front row passengers enjoy a heated and massage function which is standard in all variants above the Aspire variant. The driver's seat is also placed comfortably in a way where it is easy to reach the screen and centre consoles without being entirely distracted from the road.

Coming to the second row, this is an exceptional second row with ample legroom, headroom and toe room as well, isn’t that absolutely dafting? Just be mindful that due to the presence of the panoramic sunroof, there is a clear dip in the ceiling so you might bump into it if you’re not careful. The centre armrest doesn’t drop down from the middle seat, the centre armrest is the middle seat, just pull the drawstring and voila! A centre armrest.

Now Mitsubishi advertises the third row as an ‘occasional row’. WHat this basically means is that there is no space for adults, if they can’t drive themselves that’s the only time you should put someone in the third row, because the best yoga instructors are going to have a hard time fitting into it.

Comfort & Ergonomics

There are multiple upholstery for multiple variants, some are upgradable for a small fee some are exclusive to the variant. Take a look;

Upholstery Colours

Outlander boasts different upholstery colors and designs based on the trim/variant.

Boot

What starts with a simple small boot of 163 litres in the Outlander extends up to 478 litres, which is much more usable and practical in terms of storage. Even Mitsubishi claims that the final row is an occasional row, what it essentially means is that the final row is supposed to stay down until and unless there is an emergency in which you must carry 7 people.

Incase you’re a couple looking to take your Outlander out in the land down under, with all two rows collapsed the boot space becomes closer to 1500 litres. Yes, starts with 163 and ends with 1500. Outlandish right?

Technology & Infotainment

Outlander has outdone itself with the amount of technology features it has in comparison to its older versions. Sure with a PHEV, technology and infotainment is something you don’t expect to be missing out on, but what Outlander has done is truly remarkable.

Technology Features

• 7 modes for Plug-in Hybrid EV models
• 10.8-inch head-up display
• Two-tone black and saddle tan leather upholstery
• 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger memory seats
• Massage feature in front-row seats
• Heated and Ventilated seats
• Tri-zone climate control
• 18 & 20-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
  
  

Connectivity Options

• 12.3-inch full digital driver display
• 9-speaker Bose® sound system
• Smartphone-link Display Audio with 9-inch touchscreen
• AM/FM & DAB
• Digital Radio
• Android Auto is wired but Apple CarPlay is wireless
  

Performance & Engine

While the Outlander is a remarkable piece of machinery which has been given a PHEV upgrade, the fact that it has only one engine configuration doesn’t bother a lot of consumers because it is just a bridge to an EV, not an EV. It also serves the purpose of providing you with a cleaner alternative than the traditionally powered Outlander.

Engine Specifications

Battery Specifications

There are two charging slots in the Outlander PHEV. There’s a single-phase AC charging slot which surges 3.7kw of power of AC charging. The other slot is the CHAdeMO plug which is for DC charging. Admitting to the fact, that they aren’t very common on Australian roads, could this be a premonition of a second coming?

But for the time being, the CHAdeMO is mainly used for Vehicle-to-home and Vehicle-to-load charging. This is still more than what other manufacturers are providing at this point.

Transmission & Drive System

Thankfully, Outlander has ditched the standard transmission. Unlike in other PHEVs we see, they have stepped gears which make a lot of noise when switching up or down, not just noise, at times you can even feel the jerk when the gear is switched up.

Outlander uses a single-speed Transaxle which is situated in the front and interacts and balances the electric motor along with the internal combustion engine.

In addition to that there are 4 EV modes which you can use depending on the necessity. These 4 modes are used to save the fuel whilst the electric motor uses the internal combustion engine as a generator. The four modes are; Normal | EV | Save | Charge

Fuel Economy & Efficiency

PHEVs have always had a bold and daring claimed economy for themselves, it almost sounds too good to be true. Maybe because it is. Ofcourse overall you’re not going to be tricked into a loss, the economy is still excellent. It’s just better to say the city average of 7.4 litres for every 100km than 1.5 litres of fuel for every 100km.

The game is easy, once the battery dies down entirely, use the Outlander like a hybrid which allows you to pump power into your electric battery which then runs you a few kilometres more. Who’s got the time for this math?

I find it is far easier to drive on battery within the city limits and switch upto gas as soon as you hit the highways. If it truly is the best of both worlds then we must use it like the best of both worlds.

Handling & Driving Dynamics

Ever since Mitsubishi came up with Super Active Wheel Control, they’ve changed something very fundamental about driving. What the S-AWC technology has done is allowed the control of individual wheel speed. This is achieved through a braking torque vectoring set-up. ( I don’t know, some jargon made to tell but it's fun :) )

Now different modes in this PHEV just essentially mean how torque is behaving in accordance to the power that is being generated. However, as you progress on and from the Tarmac mode, you’ll see how powerful a PHEV can be as the limiters are turned off and the torque is allowed to pulse freely. There are two electric motors on each end which creates more power than your traditional sequencer beam.

The Outlander PHEV has the following driving modes

• Normal Mode
• Eco Mode
• Tarmac Mode
• Gravel Mode
• Snow Mode
• Mud Mode
• Power Mode
• EV Mode
• Series Hybrid Mode
• Parallel Hybrid Mode
• Battery Save Mode
• Battery Charge Mode
  

Safety Features

The Outlander PHEV has a long list of safety features which are extremely effective and mindfully placed. The cushioning of airbags and other ADAS features ensures maximum safety and protocol adherence in times of accident or calamity. Safety features in Outlander include:

• 7 SRS Airbags
• Collision warning
• Electronic stability control
• Blind spot alert
• Rear parking camera
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Autonomous emergency braking reverse
• Lane-keeping assist
• Speed limiter
• Parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic alert
  

Advanced Safety Features

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Blind Spot Warning & Lane Change Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Rear Automatic Emergency Braking
• Multi Around Monitor
• Hill Start Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear View Camera
• Hill Descent Control
• Lane Departure Prevention
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Forward Collision Mitigation
• Driver Attention Alert
• Predictive Forward Collision Warning3
• MI-PILOT
  

Crash Test Ratings

The Mitsubishi Outlander was awarded a 5-star rating in the tests conducted by ANCAP in October of 2021. Here are some additional statistics to demarcate the safety ability of the Outlander.

• Adult Occupant Protection - 83%
• Child Occupant Protection - 92%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection - 81%
• Safety Assist - 83%

Ownership Experience

Owning a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers a unique blend of practicality and environmental responsibility. The spacious interior with three-row seating makes it suitable for families and those who need versatility. The plug-in hybrid powertrain allows for electric-only driving during daily commutes, leading to lower running costs and reduced emissions. This eco-friendly aspect is a major strength. However, the PHEV typically comes with a higher price tag compared to the gasoline model, which could be a barrier for some. Additionally, the electric range might not be sufficient for long trips without charging stops, potentially impacting convenience. Finally, the PHEV battery slightly reduces cargo space, which could be a concern for those who frequently carry large items. Overall, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ownership experience combines practicality with environmental benefits, but it's essential to consider the initial cost, electric range limitations, and potential cargo space reduction before making a decision.

Major Drawbacks

• Unlike traditional powertrains, the Outlander PHEV doesn’t have a spare tyre. Just a DIY tyre repair kit.
• The PHEV variant typically comes with a higher price tag compared to the gasoline-only Outlander, which could be a barrier for some budget-conscious buyers.
• While the electric range allows for emissions-free driving in most daily commutes, longer trips might require charging stops, potentially impacting convenience.
• The PHEV battery pack slightly reduces ample space compared to the gasoline Outlander, which might be a concern for those who frequently carry large items.
  

Major Strengths

• The Outlander PHEV excels in fuel efficiency, especially during electric-only driving. This translates to lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions, making it a great choice for eco-conscious drivers.
• Similar to the gasoline Outlander, the PHEV boasts a three-row seating configuration and ample boot space, making it suitable for families and those who need versatility.
• Depending on your location, you might be eligible for government incentives when purchasing a plug-in hybrid vehicle, potentially reducing the overall cost of ownership.

Maintenance & Warranty Information

Mitsubishi Motors Confidence is an integrated care program included in the price of each vehicle for all 2024 models:

• 2-Year/30,000-Mile Limited Maintenance (3 Oil & Filter Changes, 3 Tire Rotations and 1 Cabin Filter)
  
• 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
  
• 5-Year/Unlimited-Mile Roadside Assistance

Verdict

The PHEV Outlander has the punch that the standard Outlander lacks. It is nice to see what we expect from a turbocharged engine can also be accomplished with a couple of efficient electric motors. Outlander looks like a strong car, it just wasn’t with the standard powertrain but now it is. Sure is a bit pricey, even the entry-level PHEV Outlander is closer to $60,000 than it is closer to the entry-level standard Outlander.

While concerns arise about the price point, Mitsubishi has categorically given you enough features and details which will make you feel like this was a good investment. The new technologies always take some time to get used to, and Mitsubishi is notorious for not following suit and making its own path. Atleast with the Outlander PHEV, we’re in love with the new path!

Reference

Brochure

Owners Manual