2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review: Hybrid Head-Scratcher

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev is a plug-in hybrid suv person who keeps forgetting. However, after a week behind the steering wheel, it turns out it will be strange – although it doesn’t have to be all the reason Mitsubishi might expect. Aggressive prices and specification sheets loaded against several questionable hardware decisions and designs, leaving this one of the more hybrids of isosyphrat out there.

The range starts at $ 36.295 (plus a $ 1,195 destination) for the Phev Outlander cell, and the SUV meets the requirements for up to $ 6,587 federal tax incentives. Mitsubishi’s closest competitor, Toyota 2021 RAV4 Prime, ranging from $ 39,425 including the aim, is eligible for up to $ 7,500 federal tax incentives.

Mitsubishi did not serve in standard features, at least. You can cover 8 inch infotainment with Android Auto or Apple Carplay, and there are leather seats with front row heating, double zone climate control, some front and rear USB ports, and power tailgate. On the safety side, this entry-level trim will advance mitigation collisions with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and warnings of spots with a lane change and warnings of cross-rear traffic. Adaptive Cruise Control is an option.

Outlander PHEV is well equipped, but doesn’t feel very cohesive. The cabin design is haphazard, with various types of keys, creaking plastic, and disconnected color schemes. Some design decisions are only strange, such as the transmission shifter that resembles a robot codpiece, and the other is worse, like the infotainment underwhelming system.

It features the heel chart and a bad grammar dialog message, and it’s not the only head-scratcher. Something about Mitsubishi Outlander Phev like through glass look Alice to the parallel universe: Outlander Phev has the features you would expect, but gave them in a strange way. Power tailgate, for example, is actually the usual but with powerful arms that effectively pull it down for you, as if it’s easier for Mitsubishi to just do a robot (slow).

The same applies to DriveTrain, which has its own complexity. For the year the 2021 model, Mitsubishi exchanged on a new 2.4-liter gas engine – replacing old 2.0-liters, which is actually less efficient than this larger model – and added a slightly larger battery to go with a twin electric motor. The result is the drive of all electric wheels and the EPA electricity range of 24 miles.

In general, the gas engine acts as an extender range, independent of the wheel itself. Press Accelerator and your PURR on electric power, at least to start; Too demanding and gas kicking, with an insoluble grinding sound. Push is very hard, meanwhile, and the Outlander PhEV gas engine can actually move the wheel directly, with the excess power outlined to the battery.

Mitsubishi handles all of itself, but you get control over how the battery is used. Press the “EV” button and Outlander Phev will try using electric power alone as long as it is feasible; Press the “cost-effective” button and it will preserve the current charging status for you to use later. Press the button again, and the SUV will actively try to recharge the battery with a gas machine, even though it’s not a very efficient use of gas.

24 miles from the electricity range is not too impressive, even though the plug-in hybrid SUV is a relative scarcity. EPA said The Outlander Phev was able to combine 74 MPGE, even though you saw only 26 mpg from the gas machine after the battery was finished. It’s hard to be too excited about that, when the Hybrid Plug-in Toyota RAV4 is rated for 42 miles from the electric range, 94 MPGE combined, and 38 mpg from the gas engine alone. Toyota also has a higher crane assessment: 2,500 pounds, versus Outlander PHEV 1,500 pounds.

Both are five seats: if you want seven seats outside you, you must sacrifice hybrid drivetrain. Trunk 30.4 cu-ft slightly smaller than Toyota, but at 66.6 cu-ft with a second row with a flat just a little in front of RAV4 prime. Mitsubishi does give you a lot of control of regenerative braking: Paddle shifter steps through five levels of aggression, although I have liked the maximum regen for even more enthusiastic.

However, in general, the Outlander Phev drives well. There are five moving modes – normal, sports, pebbles, snow, and s-awc eco – and exactly how much power you get overall depends on hybrid mode where the SUV enters. Twin electric motors have 174 horsepower and 245 lb-ft. Torque, but when the gas machine drives the front wheel you get more than 220 hp and 291 lb-ft as a whole.

It feels cheerful from the start standing, and getting rid of urban roads to deny the size of the Outlander Phev. Only when you start stretching your legs a little further does his excitement fade. That said, Mitsubishi’s steering was soft and slightly blurred, and the suspension was definitely tuned on the slippery side, so no one pushed you to drive enthusiastically.

When it’s time to charge, the usual 120V outlet will take 9-14.5 hours depending on your electric outlet; Install Level 2 Charger, likewise, and you see 4 hours with a supply of 240V / 16A. Unusual for cars in this segment, Mitsubishi has included Fast DC charging support, even though you might not feel it was not revealed to hear it to choose a standard Chademo standard than a much more common CCS plug. However, if you can find a compatible plug, take a li-ion battery 13.8 kWh from flat to 80 percent in about 25 minutes.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev Verdict

There is something strangely charming about Outlander Phev. Mitsubishi seems to have approached a plug-in hybrid with the best intention, but then conveyed the ambition in a piercing way. DC fast charging support is very good, but the Chademo feels like the wrong type of plug to choose from; The cabin is well equipped, but it feels like it was designed by several different teams that just started talking when it was time to get work together.

This makes it most reasonable as the value of the game, and Mitsubishi is clearly not aware of that fact. Toyota’s Phev SUV may have more range, but Outlander PHEV is cheaper in advance with Mitsubishi agreement and more generous financial offers. 10 years / 100,000 mil powertrain and battery warranty, plus a 5-year / 60,000 standard guarantee, very impressive. It is not a small factor in what remains a sub-category with limited options.

If you have a place to charge regularly, can underestimate weakness, and are on a strict budget, Outlander PHEV 2021 can meet the bill. Those who are looking for driving awards or the maximum EV range must look elsewhere, but the coverage of the price and Mitsubishi warranty makes it much easier to ignore the shortcomings of the Hybrid SUV, if you are committed to going at least a little electricity.