Still the benchmark? Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review

Diamond models add ventilated and massaging front seats, four additional speakers, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and quilted tan leather.

Even in Diamond trim, it does not feel expensive in the same way as a modern Mazda or Hyundai interior does, but Mitsubishi should be commended for being one of the few to put function ahead of form.

This approach delivers safety benefits too, with Euro NCAP now requiring physical buttons in order to access the best safety ratings, as it believes touchscreens to be too distracting when responsible for most vehicle functions.

However, the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are behind the times too, which is less of a selling point. The latest lane departure warning systems from other brands are less hyperactive, and can better distinguish between cracks in the road and lane markings.

Putting the EV in PHEV

The Outlander’s powerful, twin motor setup allows it to drive much more like an EV than a hybrid, with quick responses and smoothness.

Despite its EV range being shorter than some rivals, the Outlander sets itself apart in how it deploys that range. It is keen to operate on electric power as much as possible. The engine, which is only able to drive the front wheels, is either shut down or runs simply to charge the battery most of the time.

Evidently, work was done to ensure the petrol engine is well isolated enough that it is almost imperceptible unless thrashed. When it does cut in, it stays quiet and clearly works to supplement the electric motors. The only other time the engine makes itself known is when charging the battery at a standstill, when it adopts a high idle.

Various levels of regenerative braking are available, accessed through steering wheel paddles, a nice touch that even some EVs forego.

Total output is 299PS, more than enough to move the PHEV’s heft, which is in excess of two tonnes. It feels more than fast enough for a big seven-seater, but never sporty.

This is despite Mitsubishi being keen to highlight its rally heritage, going as far as to include a ‘Tarmac’ drive mode on the Outlander PHEV, as was first seen in the Lancer Evo VII. In this mode, the car performs torque vectoring through braking to improve handling, although the pace necessary to feel the system working must be downright irresponsible.

As would be expected, the Outlander is happiest quietly cruising down the road, rolling in the corners and dispatching its power quickly when an overtake is necessary.

The ride is just about acceptable, dealing with larger undulations reasonably well, but does feel too firm on sharp bumps and potholes. It strikes a better balance between body control and comfort than many Chinese cars, which often manage neither, but the Outlander could certainly benefit from a more pothole-friendly suspension setup.

Place in the market

Of the two trim levels, it is the Nativa that appears most compelling. Just a few years ago, it would have been the only car in the segment to offer seven seats and a PHEV powertrain. Things have changed since, with the arrival of the Chery Tiggo 8 and MGS9, although if all wheel drive is a non-negotiable, the options are more limited.

The Outlander PHEV slightly undercuts the Kia Sorento PHEV and is usefully cheaper than the Mazda CX-80, two of the few other cars to tick all three boxes, short of significantly more expensive premium models.

It is more difficult to make the case for the Diamond. With its price nudging £50,000 and no seven seat option, it has to compete with the Volkswagen Tayron and its semi-premium clout, the brand-new Toyota RAV4 with its longer electric range, and the Mazda CX-60 which offers a posher interior.

If all wheel drive is not required, the Tayron and RAV4 are actually cheaper than the Outlander Diamond.

With even the most expensive versions of its Chinese rivals being a full £10,000 cheaper than the Outlander PHEV Nativa, fleets will not select it purely on value for money.

Instead, the Mitsubishi Outlander makes its case with the brand’s strong PHEV track record, its eight-year warranty, and the combination of seven seats, all wheel drive and PHEV power.

Fleet focus

1. TCO

• Capital cost: The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV range starts from £46,995 for the Nativa. The range-topping Diamond starts from £49,995.
• Tax efficiency: As a PHEV with a strong electric-only range, BiK is 7%.
• Insurance costs: Both trims are in group 47D.

2. Fuel Efficiency

• On the WLTP combined cycle, the Outlander is rated at 313mpg, although PHEVs are notorious for overperforming on tests. However, on shorter journeys especially, the Outlander’s strong electric range should ensure fuel consumption is kept low.
• Electric-only range is 53 miles and the Outlander can be set to prioritise electric power, allowing journeys to be completed without using any fuel.
• Total range: In excess of 500 miles.

3. Maintenance Cost

• Standard protection: Mitsubishi offers a standard warranty of eight years, or 100,000 miles on all components, including the battery. This places it ahead of rivals from Kia, Mazda and Chery.
• Servicing: Mitsubishi is yet to release pricing for the latest model, but an oil and filter service on the previous model was £160, while a full service was £300 and a major service was £375.

4. Downtime

• Service intervals: 12,500 miles or 12 months.
• Dealer network: After Mitsubishi’s UK exit, International Motors maintained the aftersales network, which now numbers 106. It aims to grow this to 120 sites soon. Of these, 50 are also retail partners.
• Reliability: Mitsubishi had a strong reputation for reliability prior to its 2021 exit, and the Outlander PHEV uses an engine from the same family as its predecessor, avoiding the teething problems sometimes experienced with new engines.
• Charging times: 32 minutes from 0% to 80% on a suitably powerful charger.
• Charge mode: When activated, this uses the engine to charge the battery, allowing power to be replenished for future EV-only driving.

5. Safety

• ADAS: a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are standard-fit, including Lane Departure Prevention, Automatic Brake Control, Forward Collision Mitigation, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control, although these are not as well-calibrated as systems from other brands.