Sales: 1 (844) 725-0917
Service: (514) 725-5777
Parts: (514) 725-5777
The new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has just hit the Canadian market, but it’s already enjoying huge success. It’s not hard to see why, with its spectacular look and new electric range capabilities making it particularly appealing.
Completely redesigned, the new Mitsubishi builds on an already important reputation. Although the previous generation had a shorter range, it was a leader and dominated global sales in the plug-in hybrid vehicle segment.
The new 2023 Outlander PHEV is efficient and enjoyable, that’s undeniable. However, it faces many other PHEV SUVs. Let’s see how this newcomer measures up to the competition.
It’s no secret that the previous Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV had a more limited range despite its mechanical qualities. The new version is built on a completely new platform, which is more rigid and dynamic, and a new electrification system.
The Mitsubishi now has a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery, the largest in the segment. Competitors such as the Toyota RAV4 Prime (18.1 kWh) or the Ford Escape (14.4 kWh) have smaller batteries.
With this setup, the 2023 Outlander PHEV can offer an electric range of 61 kilometers, which places it second in the category in this respect, just behind the Toyota, but ahead of the Ford, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage PHEV.
One of the great advantages of this configuration is that the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the only plug-in hybrid SUV that can offer fast charging at public Level 3 stations. While a full charge on a Level 2 home charging station takes about six hours, fast charging takes only 0.6 hours, or about 38 minutes, to regain its full electric capacity.
Because it is a plug-in hybrid, the electric powertrain of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2023 is paired with a gasoline powertrain. It is a 4-cylinder 2.4-liter engine with well-known characteristics.
In combination with the electric motors, it has a power of 248 horsepower, but it stands out for its torque of 332 lb-ft, more than all its rivals of the same category. The Hyundai Tucson, for example, has a slightly higher power of 261 horsepower, but only offers 258 lb-ft of torque.
Another undeniable advantage of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2023 is the presence of electric motors at the front and rear, which allows it to offer the S-AWC all-wheel drive, the equivalent of the system found on the most dynamic versions of traditional Mitsubishi vehicles. It has also been tested on special courses usually reserved for rallies, to ensure the speed of its execution and the precision of its response.
In this area, the Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Kia Sportage also have all-wheel drive, while the Ford Escape PHEV only has front-wheel drive.
Finally, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2023 can also tow up to 1500 pounds, an essential element for an SUV. It is equal, in this area, to most of its competitors with the exception of Toyota.
Mitsubishi’s 10-year warranty on the powertrain has long been considered the best in the country. It also applies to the Outlander PHEV, of course. The good news is that this warranty also applies to the battery, which should reassure those who have doubts about the durability of the electric drive. Mitsubishi is the only manufacturer whose warranty exceeds 5 years and 100,000 kilometers.
Longer and more spacious than most of its rivals, the Outlander only loses the title of the plug-in vehicle with the greatest cargo capacity to the Kia Sportage, with its 1,822 liters of capacity when the seats are folded down.
The new plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market are all wonders of technology. But with its longer warranty, increased charging capacity, and uncompromising autonomy, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is without a doubt the choice to make. Check it out at your Saint-Léonard Mitsubishi dealer.
* Photo for illustrative purposes only. Certain conditions apply.