Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Peter Hilton
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Look and Living
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the first hybrid SUV to be launched in the UK. Its shape hasn’t changed much since its October 2013 launch. I would say it has a functional look rather than attractive. It’s quite rounded at the front with a traditional SUV side profile. Not as large as I thought it would be, I would describe it as medium to large. However it is very popular, the best selling hybrid SUV in the UK and Europe.
Inside the cabin is quite spacious with enough space for five adults. The seats in this 4h example were leather and quite comfortable. Although the leather on the drivers seat was starting to crease despite being low mileage.
The boot space is large as you would expect, however the parcel shelf is disappointingly low. This results in a much smaller usable space if you wish to keep your cargo hidden.
Internal features
The inside of the Mitsubishi is functional. The dashboard is a hard plastic and the fixtures and fittings feel 
quite flimsy. There was already visible scratches on the centre console. Button and controls are plastic and don’t feel very durable. The positioning of the different drive settings is a bit confusing. Some are in front of the gear lever on the centre console whilst the EV only button and 4WD lock button are separate below this. In addition the ‘park’ gear is a small button behind the gear lever that is difficult to see and reach. The park release button is next to the EV only button.
The centre console has a useful storage with a USB and 12v charging socket under the arm rest. The gearstick and heated seat controls sit in front of this.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is highly specked, the mid level model Juro comes with heated seats, remote charge/heating control, reversing camera, keyless operation, and many more features. Above that you have the 4h and 5h, with blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, satellite navigation and 360 degree cameras. The 360 cameras making parking a breeze, especially with the curb-side camera to stop you scuffing those alloys!
The 7 inch touch screen in the dashboard controlled the satellite navigation and apple/android applications which is a neat touch. Buttons either side of the screen control the radio/media, phone and volume/zoom.
The steering wheel is heated leather with more controls on it. most useful being phone, volume and cruise controls.
Behind the steering wheel there are paddle controls. These are not for changing gears but for controlling the level of regenerative breaking level, more of which later.
In summary a very high specified SUV, some quite innovative, let down with low quality materials.
7/10
Technology
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is packed full of driver technology. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation and rear cross traffic alert being driver and safety aids.
360 degree cameras, including top-down and curb-side allows the driver to park with ease and see the cars surroundings.
The driver instruments are clear and let you know where the power is coming from. The paddle controls for the retardation system are innovative and easy to use.
As with many new EV’s the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has an ‘APP’ for your smartphone. This allows you to set the car to pre-heat/cool in readiness for your morning commute. It also controls battery charging, timer setting, parking lights and headlights.
8/10
Performance and Drive
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is quite low for an SUV but still gives an excellent view of the road. The seating position is also surprisingly car like. Big wing mirrors give great rear visibility and the steering wheel is nice and chunky. The seats are comfortable but lack some side support.
Starting is easy with the key-less start, just depress the brake and press the start button. As with most Hybrids the car is silent and sets off in electric only mode. Pulling away the car is slightly for a car this size. On the move there is plenty of torque and town driving is a breeze, the petrol engine only kicking in when needed. This is when you accelerate hard or the battery needs a top up.
On dual carriageways and motorways the petrol engine provides most of the power. The petrol engine is a 2.0 litre four cylinder producing 121PS. there are two electric motors, one on each axle producing 82PS. Combined they produce a maximum 203PS or 149kW.
0-62mph is a sluggish 11 seconds but average for an SUV this size. Top speed is 75mph in electric only mode and 106mph in combined.
Handling is good, the car is responsive and is great around town, belying its size.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a regenerative braking system which can retard the car at 5 different levels. This occurs automatically when you come off the accelerator, the car slows down the car and charges the battery.
There are paddles behind the steering wheel which you use to change the level of retardation. It is simply to use and I really liked it. The driver simply chooses the level they need for the driving conditions. Higher levels for town and country lanes, lower for motorway. The retardation takes a little getting used to. Once you have then its easy to drive without using the brake pedal unless stopping.
Overall its the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a nice SUV to drive, middle of the road and a little dull.
6.5/10
Range, Charging and Greenness
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUV is quite a big heavy electric car, with a kerb weight of nearly 2 
tonnes. However the range is better than some smaller hybrids with a maximum range of 33 miles. Obviously the range is dependent on driving conditions and temperature which can affect this. Town driving with lots of regenerative braking is likely to offer the best range. We wait with interest to hear from our community to see what real life electric only range is. Combined range is over 500 miles.
The petrol engine only really kicks in when you accelerate hard and is hardly noticeable. Once the battery is depleted then the engine will switch on again. However this is only to charge the batteries. The petrol engine will take prolonged higher speeds. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can also be put into a ‘save’ mode. This saves the battery at its current change and switches to full petrol.
The 12kW battery pack takes 25 minutes for an 80% charge at a rapid charging station. Home charging on a domestic 13amp supply will take 5 hours for a full charge. Amazingly a home 7kw home charger will take just 3 hours for a full charge. The driver instruments keep the driver informed of the current status of the battery at all times.
8.5/10
Specifications and Extras
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is highly specified. As with all ranges of cars the level of specification depends upon the model chosen. There are 8 variations starting with the 3h at £32,305 rising to the 5hs at £43,555.
There are no real options to add except metallic paint. This is to keep variation down to a minimum to ensure short delivery times.
7/10
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Specification: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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1 review for Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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Alan Norman –
Absolutely love this car. No noise, lots of power and acceleration and very comfortable. All our friends who drive or sit in it, are astonished at the comfort and ease of driving, Great turning lock especially on tight hairpin turns when motoring in Italy and Greece. Lots of charge points or carry you own lead and so many Hotels now allow to plug into the mains free of charge as its cheap to charge. We have driven in many parts of the UK and also right across Europe and its been a great drive all the time.
I think your review is not fair and is probably based on being used for a very short time. Quality of fitting is NOT poor and we have had our two and half years and not found defects or poor fittings. Seats are really comfortable, visibility is excellent and the forward collision system is extraordinary and has saved us several times as it thinks in such a short time, far quicker than the human brain can react !
Rear seats fold flat and you can get lots of luggage inside as we discover on a month long drive abroad and it not a tiring drive in traffic which is the problem with Petrol and Diesel Cars especially as they go through the gears.
The Mitsubishi PHEV is a great drive, great steering and control plus many safety features built in.
The car has a 5 year guarantee and the electric batteries have an 8 year guarantee and its so very easy to re charge and definitely worth have a fixed home charger. The regenerative braking system is so easy to use and on B3 setting it will add free electricity on each trip you make. What is very noticeable and in fact odd is when you drive a car that does not have regenerative braking and how you feel so insecure as you have to hit the brakes so much when slowing down – very odd and much prefer this system.
In summary, a very safe drive, with plenty of power and acceleration and very comfortable driving for both short and long trips. Very , very pleased we bought this car.
Peter Hilton –
Alan, Thanks for your real life review. As you say, here at Electric Car Experts we only get limited time with vehicles. Your review is exactly what our community needs, as we say, you are the experts not us!