2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV real-world range test

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There’s no question the first-generation Outlander PHEV saved Mitsubishi. Okay, maybe not “saved,” but certainly “made it relevant.” “Popularized,” even. With subcompacts on the way out, sales of the once-popular Mirage were down; the company’s traditional SUVs were floundering, and total sales were definitely lagging. Along comes the Outlander plug-in SUV — the first such beast in our country — and suddenly Mitsubishi Canada was riding a wave of 400 or more sales a month of a high-ticket sport-ute. The celebrations are still ongoing at Mitsu dealers.

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But, as any pop star will tell you, the first hit single is easy; it’s the follow-up that’s tough. And that’s exactly what Mitsubishi is trying to do. The second-generation plug-in hybrid is now here, and, with the competition heating up — that should be read “Toyota getting in the game with its RAV4 Prime” — does the new Outlander have what it takes to maintain its leadership position?

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV range

While the previous generations of the PHEV made do with a paltry 13.8 kilowatt-hours of lithium-ion, the 2023 boosts that up to 20.1 kWh. With that boost in battery cells — the Outlander now boasts 96 pouches — comes an increase in range to an EPA-certified 61 kilometres. Eagle eyes will note the RAV4 Prime is rated for 68 klicks from just 18.1 kWh.

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Two things about that. The first is the Mitsu is a three-row minivan-pretender, while the RAV4 offers but two rows of seating. The other is that both vehicles exceeded their rated range in our Range Finder testing — at least in urban settings — with the Mitsu regularly eking out 64 kilometres, and the RAV4 about 70 km. We have seen as many as 68 klicks out of the Mitsubishi’s 20.1 kWh, and though that was a solitary event, it remains that the Outlander PHEV regularly exceeds its official rating.

At least, in the city. Like all PHEVs — indeed, all electric cars — highway range is much diminished. The RAV4 Prime, for instance, seldom got more than 60 klicks when running on battery alone on the highway. The Mitsubishi is generally good for about 48 to 50 kilometres on the superslab before it runs out of juice. Also, like all battery-powered vehicles, range is reduced in cold weather.

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2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s gas motor

Well, once the battery runs “dry,” the newly-enlarged 2.4-litre four-banger kicks in to power the 2,095-kilogram electrified Outlander. In regular hybrid mode, this results in 7.4 litres of refined fossil fuels every 100 kilometres. That’s slightly behind the 6.6 L/100 km RAV4 Prime averages when it’s off the battery, impressive still for something with those aforementioned three rows of seating. In other words, the Outlander is not quite as parsimonious as the segment-leading plug-in sport-ute, but manages a healthy reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions nonetheless.

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Indeed, like the RAV4 Prime, the Outlander PHEV powertrain’s worst fault is its attitude. Oh, at low speed and regular driving, the combination of electric motor and 2.4-litre ICE are a model of sophistication. Heavy acceleration, however — passing a truck on the highway, squeezing ahead of a Prius from a stoplight, etc. — is hardly an example of harmonious cooperation between internal-combustion and electric motors. Indeed, the plug-in Mitsu often sounds like Chevrolet’s old Volt, with the same disconnect between engine speed and the acceleration of the vehicle. It’s only noticeable when pushed, though, and will be most noticed by those with a heavy foot.

It must also be said that the Outlander is not nearly as quick as the plugged-in Toyota, the RAV4 Prime being the fastest thing in Toyota’s lineup that’s not built by BMW. The Mitsu is definitely not using all its potential. According to Mitsubishi’s spec sheet, that 2.4L four-banger puts out 131 horsepower. The front electric motor, meanwhile, claims 114 ponies, and the rear AC permanent-magnet jobbie another 134 hp.

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With numbers like that, you’d expect the Outlander PHEV to be a powerhouse. Unfortunately, when they are all combined, Mitsubishi claims that, together, they total but 248 “system” horsepower. Electric motors and gas engines don’t produce their peaks at the same speed, and Mitsubishi doesn’t allow both electric motors to get max “juice” at the same time.

That said, when on the gas, the Toyota is hardly a paragon of sporty motoring, either. The sound from the engine bay when you’re calling for its six-second sprint to 100 kilometres an hour sounds like a bunch of (angry) marbles trying desperately to escape the proverbial tin can. Nonetheless, advantage to the Toyota.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV segment-best interior

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The biggest surprise from the Mitsubishi camp is how stunningly gorgeous the Outlander’s interior is, especially in this segment. It’s made all the more impressive by the fact the first-gen’s cabin was beyond basic: stark, lacking warmth, and just plain uninspired. The 2023 model, by contrast is warm, luxurious, and chock-a-block with features.

The black semi-aniline seat coverings, for instance, are instantly attractive. Said seats, at least in the top-of-the-line $57,048 GT Premium version we were driving — the base ES S-AWC version starts at $46,538 — included, get this, programmable seat massagers. The infotainment system is also a step forward, with plentiful information as regards powertrain operation — percentage of time spent on battery, energy efficiency, and more — and bright graphics for the audio system.

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Indeed, two things stand out here. The first is that the Outlander absolutely destroys the Toyota in the interior sweepstakes. Totally pummels it. The second is that I can remember no automaker, at least in recent memory, making such a dramatic improvement in cabin design in just one generation. Kudos to Mitsubishi. That said, like most smaller SUVs claiming seven-passenger capability, the Mitsubishi’s third row is best reserved for the legless and extremely flexible.

The bottom line

The Outlander and Toyota’s RAV4 Prime are the, well, prime players in this plug-in SUV segment. The choice between the two, however, is extremely simple. The Toyota offers the superior powertrain with slightly better EV-only range and fuel economy, but significantly more performance. The Mitsubishi counters with greater size, roominess, seating options and a decidedly more luxurious interior. The difference in their intent, feel, and accommodations is stark. You really shouldn’t have much trouble making a choice.

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The curveball in any Toyota-versus-Mitsubishi match-up is that the RAV4 Prime is in decidedly short supply. Indeed, I know of at least two readers, determined to PHEV their SUVs, who switched from Toyota to Mitsubishi as a result of 12-month — and longer — delivery dates. Neither seems disappointed.

I spent my two weeks of Outlander-ing in Santa Barbara, California, rather than my home in Toronto. Besides being decidedly sunny — when we weren’t being inundated with record floods — SB is a much smaller town, which made a dramatic difference in my appreciation for PHEVs.

Where even a single trip to my Toronto gym — and I go twice daily — would see either the Toyota’s or the Mitsu’s battery depleted, here in SoCal, I am but a mile from the Swell Athletic Club. It’s also just about three quick miles to Ghelson’s Groceries, where I feed on the world’s best poke bowls. Even my significant other’s favourite tourist trap — the historic Santa Barbara mission where she was so enthused, she stayed for mass — is but a few klicks further.

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In other words, where the Outlander would have run out of juice basically every day in Toronto, I only needed to plug it in every third or fourth day in this city of 80,000. Perhaps that’s one of the PHEV’s niches, small-town electrification. More than enough range for daily driving (or multiple day’s drives), no need for expensive public charging, and fairly frugal gasoline-ing when you have to head to the Big Smoke.

And, in that milieu, the Outlander is more than capable. Other than its full-throttle wonkiness, it offers the luxury, practicality, roominess, and frugality that non-urbanites cherish. Mitsubishi’s “party” should continue unabated.

Check out the specs of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in our online shopping tool.