This could be the Goldilocks solution for Australian families looking for a green car. While motorists are adopting electric cars in growing numbers, plenty of people are put off by their lack of range and charging requirements. Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEV addresses that, but is it the best of both worlds, or a jack of all trades (and master of none)?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Dom: The new petrol-powered Mitsubishi Outlander debuted at the end of 2021 and it was followed in August this year by the plug-in hybrid version. You can’t miss it on the road, there is chrome for days, a giant grille and huge EV badging in case you didn’t realise it can run on electric-only power.
Dave: It really does look bold in the metal. Blocky and butch, it’s a modern machine with an eye-catching look, particularly if you plump for the two-tone paint and 20-inch alloys found on our test vehicle, the range-topping Exceed Tourer.
THE LIVING SPACE
Dom: The Exceed Tourer is priced at about $75,600 drive-away. As you’d expect at that price it is jammed with standard equipment. There is a 10.8-inch central display that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as in-built satnav. A 12.3-inch digital instrument display impresses as does a 10-speaker Bose stereo and a panoramic sunroof.
Dave: It really is one of the most improved cabins in recent memory – there’s not much missing from the spec sheet.
THE COMMUTE
Dom: The engine specs are impressive, too. Power comes from a 2.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors – one on each axle providing all-wheel drive. These combine for 185kW and 450Nm, which is 28kW and 118Nm more than the previous version. Mitsubishi says it can be driven for up to 84km on pure electric power thanks to its sizeable 20kWh battery. That means it will handle the average daily commute with range to spare. The official fuel consumption is just 1.5L/100km and it has a total driving range of 800km thanks to a bigger petrol tank.
Dave: Those fuel figures can be misleading, though. You might be able to commute without using any fuel, but consumption is close to 7L/100km once the battery is depleted – it’s a normal car with the additional weight of a battery at that point. The tech makes a lot of sense if you do a diligent job of charging the battery – and using the car’s various hybrid and electric modes correctly – but it doesn’t work well for folks looking for a “hands off” experience.
THE SHOPPING
Dom: Our PHEV has a 461-litre boot when only five seats are deployed. This shrinks to a miniature 191 litres when carrying a full complement of passengers. The power tailgate is a handy feature, though, especially if your arms are full of groceries or children.
Dave: I do love a powered tailgate, though I don’t often use the “kick to open” function in public, for fear of looking like an extra from Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks. The boot space is decent, but PHEV owners miss out on a spare tyre. Regular Outlander customers get a full-size alloy or space-saver, depending on whether they choose five or seven seats.
SUNDAY RUN
Dom: The Outlander PHEV feels zippy around town when using the electric motors that deliver ample torque from the get-go. Once the battery is depleted and the petrol engine does the heavy lifting the driving experience comes back down to earth, though. There is considerable body roll through corners but its all-wheel drive grip does a respectable job of getting the power to the ground with no hint of wheel spin. It makes light work of dirt roads, too.
Dave: Let’s be honest, no one is buying this car to sneak out before dawn for a thrill ride in the hills. That’s not what it’s for. Usefully quicker than the standard Outlander, the PHEV feels heavy in the bends thanks to the extra weight of its hybrid gear. The Mitsubishi is a middle-of-the-road pick for drivers – it’s not particularly exciting, not egregious in any way. The low-profile 20-inch rims on top models add precision to its steering, but make the ride a bit firmer over bumps. I reckon it’s worth the compromise, particularly as the car looks so imposing on the big rims.
THE FAMILY
Dom: This is the first Outlander PHEV with seven seats and the Exceed Tourer is proper luxe. The kids have heating in the outboard rear seats, their own climate control and quilted leather upholstery. Up front, the parents’ seats have a massage function. Safety is front and centre with Mitsubishi covering all bases with advanced driver aids.
Dave: I do love the versatility of a seven-seater. This one reminds me of the old Commodore wagon my folks had, with an extra pair of chairs in the boot for occasional use. It’s a great idea for people who may need to carry an extra couple of kids home from sport, or to accommodate the whole family when grandparents are in town, though I wouldn’t recommend the Outlander as an everyday proposition for big families. Those third-row seats aren’t super roomy, and they are a little fussy to use.
VERDICT
Dom: The top-spec Outlander PHEV is expensive, at more than $17,000 that the equivalent petrol version. But it does a good job offsetting the cost with a long list of equipment, a conditional 10-year warranty, cheap servicing and a vehicle-to-grid function.
Dave: I like the Outlander PHEV. A car that’s electric when you want it to be, but also able to drive long distances using petrol, which makes a lot of sense to me. This one is loaded with kit, so it’s hard to feel too sour about the asking price.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV EXCEED TOURER
PRICE About $75,600 drive-away
ENGINE 2.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, 185kW and 450Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICING 10-year/200,000km, $1495 over five years
SAFETY Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control
THIRST 1.5L/100km
SPARE Repair kit
LUGGAGE 191 to 461 litres