Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Boost for range

What is it?

The plug-in hybrid models have not been left behind in Mitsubishi’s latest upgrades to its Outlander SUV range, adding even more appeal to the company’s popular EVs.

Plug-in hybrids have been around for years and offer a choice of full-on electric drive for short trips, with the complement of internal combustion power to avoid range anxiety on longer journeys.

With totally electric powered vehicles rapidly advancing, the plug-in hybrid, led by the Outlander, is intent on making a stand for its own segment.

With greater battery capacity (20kWh) and a larger fuel tank (56 litres), the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV now has even more power and range.

Independent research has shown that Outlander PHEV owners are using their vehicles in pure EV mode more than 80 per cent of the time, offering instant emission reduction without the need for additional charging infrastructure.

The current Outlander Plug-In Hybrid has advanced the concept to give up to 84km of electric-alone and a combined petrol/electric range of more than 800km.

What’s it cost?

True SUV fans will be pleased to know there’s not been too much mucking about with the looks of the new, improved Outlander Plug-In Hybrid.

A solid stance is retained with just the right amount of embellishment from fancy chrome work up front.

Improvements across the MY24 range include auto dusk sensing headlights, and there’s now an LED rear fog light.

A rear seat alert detects back seat passenger entry and notifies the driver on their exit via driver display or by horn.

Prices start from $57,290 for the Outlander PHEV ES 4WD 5-seat, $63,790 for the Aspire 4WD 5-seat, $69,290 for Exceed 4WD 7-seat or $71,790 for Exceed Tourer 4WD 7-seat.

In colour finishes, Titanium metallic has been deleted in favour of Graphite Grey metallic, anointing the body with an elevated layer of sophistication.

Directly in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while the 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, atop the central dashboard, presents factory satellite navigation as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen are up there with those of the more luxe models and are user friendly.

With five ANCAP stars, on 2021 testing, the Outlander benefits from a suite of active and passive safety features, including airbags, front and side, for the driver and front passenger, curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.

Under the MiTech banner further safety features include active stability and traction control, ant-lock braking, brake override, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist.

Also on hand are blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation, hill descent control, hill start assist, lane change assist, speed limiter and trailer stability assist.

Sadly, an expensive jump to Exceed ($69,290) and Exceed Tourer ($71,790), is the only way to get the MI-Pilot semi-autonomous driving assist system, which adds Traffic Jam Assist and lane centring to the standard adaptive cruise control.

All Outlanders are covered by Mitsubishi’s 10/10 Diamond Advantage warranty and capped price servicing program, which works out at 10 years, 200,000km warranty with 10-year capped price servicing and up to four years complimentary roadside assist.

The battery attracts eight years, 160,000km cover.

What’s it go like?

Unlike the petrol Outlander ES, the PHEV ES is not available with seven seats.

Five in black fabric is the only option, unless the buyer shells out for the more expensive Exceed and Exceed Tourer versions.

Luggage space is the winner here. The five-seater’s boot holds 494 litres of cargo with all seatbacks in place, expanding to 1414 litres folded down.

Where petrol Outlanders get either a full-size spare or space-saver, depending on variant, the PHEV versions sadly have to make do with a tyre repair kit.

Padding puts up to five occupants at ease, even on longer journeys, and a padded centre console lid provides a comfy elbow rest for the driver.

Leg and head room are top notch all round.

Storage up front includes a slot under the climate controls. Without the wireless phone charger of upper grades, a wallet will fit there, and there’s USB-A and USB-C ports alongside a 12V socket.

Rear air vents, map pockets and bottle holders all help to make the passengers feel wanted.

There’s even a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Parents will welcome ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats, as well as top-tether points across all three.

When fitted with a genuine Mitsubishi towbar, the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV’s towing capacity is 1600kg with a 160kg tow ball download.

Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV features a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine running the efficient Atkinson cycle, teamed with two electric motors and a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Once the petrol engine kicks in when you’ve depleted the battery or stuck the Outlander in Hybrid or Power mode, it’ll primarily act as a series hybrid prioritising electric drive with the back-up of the petrol motor as a generator, though it’ll have all systems work together under hard acceleration.

The drivetrain then switches between power sources to get the optimum performance or fuel efficiency.

Total EV-only range of the Outlander PHEV is a claimed 84km.

I topped up the test car battery to 80 per cent at a public fast charger, taking 52 minutes to reach 75km range for $3.78.

Ride and handling have been refined by Kia’s extensive suspension testing and development Down Under.

Outlander continues to feature Mitsubishi’s tried and tested Super All-Wheel Control via a centre console rotary controller.

It’s shared with the fly-by-wire gear lever, EV mode and one-pedal driving buttons – that shifts the vehicle response to driving conditions.

Five modes – Normal, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel and Snow – are on hand for the two-wheel drive models and six (with Mud added) for the all-wheel drives.

Road noise is hushed for its class without attaining a luxury car level, while the Outlander’s outsize wing mirrors ‘whistle a not-so-happy tune’ at speed.

What we like?

• Larger fuel tank
• Greater all-electric range
• Leg and head room are top notch all round

What we don’t like?

• Tyre repair kit
• MI-Pilot semi-autonomous driving confined to more expensive grades
• PHEV ES is not available with seven seats

The bottom line?

An initial hefty investment in a Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid SUV can result in a life of relatively economical motoring for the average family.

 

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