Review - 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

The latest-generation Outlander platform has gone down a hit with buyers, so has the plug-in hybrid tech taken it to another level, or simply added to the price tag?

Let’s take a closer look at the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to find out.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Competition

Starting Price: $56,490

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Outlander PHEV range kicks off from $56,490 for the entry-level Outlander PHEV ES five-seat, with prices rising to $62,990 for the Outlander PHEV Aspire.

Prices for the range then move to $68,490 for the Outlander PHEV Exceed seven-seat and up to $70,990 for the range-topping Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer seven-seat.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

Mitsubishi Outlander - PHEV ASPIRE 5 SEAT (AWD) Specifications

What Features Does the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Have?

The entry-level Outlander PHEV ES comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights and daytime running lights, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, as well as a heap of safety equipment we’ll cover later.

Stepping up to the Outlander PHEV Aspire adds a set of 20-inch alloys, bi-LED headlights with LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with leather suede upholstery, vehicle-to-load (V2L), heated front seats, a head-up display, keyless entry & start, a powered tailgate, surround-view monitor, roof rails, a head-up display and a wireless charging pad.

Making the move up to the Outlander PHEV Exceed adds the option of a seven-seat layout, quilted leather upholstery with power-adjustable seats, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, exterior and interior styling upgrades and an upgraded nine-speaker Bose sound system.

Finally, the range-topping Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer adds a two-tone paint finish, heated rear seats with massaging front seats and upgraded two-tone leather upholstery options.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Cloth upholstery 

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 20-inch alloys (Aspire) 

• bi-LED headlights with LED fog lights (Aspire) 

• Leather/suede upholstery (Aspire) 

• Surround-view monitor (Aspire) 

• Seven-seat interior (Exceed) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Exceed) 

• Nine-speaker Bose sound system (Exceed) 

• Two-tone paint finish (Exceed Tourer) 

• Heated rear seats, massaging front seats (Exceed Tourer) 

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Comfortable to Drive?

Mitsubishi’s base model Outlander is an impressive SUV in its own right, though the company’s plug-in hybrid tech has added a healthy amount of power to the mix, alongside the potential of silent motoring.

While the platform has picked up some added weight from its electrical underpinnings, the power and torque premium more than compensate.

It comes powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that, when combined, produce 185kW of power and 450Nm of torque that give it a healthy advantage over the base model’s 135kW/244Nm outputs.

On the road, this makes the Outlander PHEV far perkier off the line thanks to the instant response of the pair of electric motors, and combines for a confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive system.

Off the line, the Outlander doesn’t hesitate to pick up speed, while casual driving is often a silent affair thanks to the 20kWh battery pack that offers 84km of all-electric driving while being topped up by the petrol unit.

Around town, the Outlander is a fabulous daily driver thanks to its lightweight steering and responsive powertrain, while the soft suspension helps to iron out small and medium-sized bumps on the road.

On long-distance drives, the Outlander is remarkably simple and user-friendly to drive while remaining nice and comfortable for those seated in the rear of the cabin, making for a great all-rounder SUV package.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Over the standard Outlander, the plug-in hybrid powertrain offers some significant fuel savings and makes for by far the most fuel-efficient engine option.

Officially, it’s rated at 1.5L/100km on a combined cycle, so long as the battery is charged, though fuel efficiency figures are difficult to pin down for plug-in hybrids like the Outlander.

Without a full charge in the battery, you’ll consume far more than the claimed 1.5L/100km, though it remains without a doubt the best engine option for fuel-conscious buyers.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Mitsubishi’s update for the Outlander gave the interior a major - and very necessary - overhaul which has made it one of the practicality heroes of the segment.

One important consideration in terms of practicality, though, is that you’ll need to upgrade to the Exceed variant or higher, with the entry-level ES and Aspire picking up a five-seat layout.

Other than that, the Outlander’s cabin comes relatively well-equipped, even in the base model, with a heap of premium touches like leather upholstery and even massaging seats on offer as you step up higher in the range.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a decent amount of headroom, a pair of comfortable front seats and an adjustable driving position for a range of shapes and sizes.

The large centre console separating the driver and front passenger has some storage bins on either side, as well as a set of cup holders, a storage tray behind the gear lever, added space inside the folding armrest and a pair of massive door bins.

Move to the rear of the cabin and the bench seat offers a heap of space and headroom for adults seated in the second row, while seven-seat variants are able to slide and recline to make space for those seated in the rearmost of the cabin.

The Outlander PHEV features a pair of ISOFIX anchors built into the second row, as well as three top tether mounts for forward and rear-facing child seats.

For models fitted with seven seats, the third row is only really suited to small children, making for more of a five-plus-two arrangement rather than a fully-fledged seven-seater, but it gets the job done.

Boot space figures for the Outlander PHEV stand at 494L in the five-seat layout, decreasing to 191L in the seven-seat Outlander PHEV.

Is it Safe?

The Outlander PHEV has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 83% for adult protection, 92% for child protection, 81% for pedestrian protection and 83% for safety assist.

As standard, the Outlander PHEV picks up autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and junction assist, rear AEB, lane-departure alerts, forward collision alerts, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

Upgrading to the Exceed or higher adds Mitsubishi’s MI-Pilot driving assistance system.

Our Verdict: Is The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Worth it?

While it might command a steep price premium over the standard Outlander, the plug-in hybrid variant adds significant power and fuel efficiency into the mix, making for one of the best all-around offerings.

There’s more than enough equipment included on the entry-level ES to keep the majority of buyers happy, while stepping up the range adds a heap of premium touches that won’t leave you feeling short-changed.

If you’re on the hunt for a fuel-efficient, practical family SUV, don’t forget to reach out to one of our automotive specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aspire video review from PerformanceDrive

Five Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/100,000km warranty extends to 10-years when serviced within network

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

3. Plug-in hybrid powertrain produces 185kW/450Nm 

4. 1.5L/100km fuel economy figures (with charged battery) 

5. 84km electric driving range from 20kWh battery pack