2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review | A Sharper Look For Mitsubishi’s Green Hero
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was first launched in 2014, at a time when the concept of a plug-in hybrid was still relatively unheard of for production vehicles, putting Mitsubishi at the head of a wave that would soon engulf almost every manufacturer amid increasing pressure to reduce vehicle emissions.
This then is Mitsubishi’s flagship, a demonstration of the best it can achieve, with the possibility of city-cycle electric propulsion and the simultaneous ability to tackle long distance journeys without the need for lengthy charging stops, wrapped in the practical body of a family SUV.
Although delayed slightly compared to the rest of the updated petrol and diesel Outlander range, the Outlander PHEV is finally available in Australia, though the most noticeable change is to vehicle styling with minor engineering changes hidden behind the ‘dynamic shield’ front styling.
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $50,490-$55,490 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 120kW/332Nm combined output 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol (87kW/186Nm), twin electric motors (60kW/137Nm front, 195Nm rear) | 1sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 1.7 l/100km | Tested: 6.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comes in two variants with the LS grade starting from $50,490 (plus on-road costs) or the more upscale Exceed priced from $55,490 (plus on-road costs).
Price-wise, the plug-in hybrid models command a decent premium compared to the rest of the Outlander range - a petrol-powered Outlander LS with an automatic and all wheel drive can be yours from $33,500 and the most expensive non-plug in variant, the diesel Exceed asks for $47,500.
In the case of the Outlander PHEV, it has a 12 kWh lithium ion battery pack and a pair of electric motors (one front and one rear) packaged in with a 2.0-litre petrol motor - essentially two powertrain systems in place of one which makes up the difference in price.