Mitsubishi Outlander continues for 2024; including plug-in hybrid
Mitsubishi’s three-row Outlander compact crossover moved into a new generation two years ago with a complete makeover, and the lineup includes a plug-in hybrid version to go along with the gasoline-only models.
For 2024, prices start at $28,395 (plus $1,445 freight) for the base ES gasoline model with front-wheel drive, and range up to $40,845 for the Platinum Edition with all-wheel drive. There is a total of nine trim levels offered in the gasoline-only form.
On the hybrid side, the vehicles have the PHEV (plug-in electric vehicle) designation. There are three trim levels available, all with all-wheel drive, beginning with the ES ($40,345), followed by the SE ($42,995), and the top-of-theline SEL ($46,295).
With room for up to seven people, the Outlander is Mitsubishi’s largest and mostpopular vehicle for the U.S. market.
Our tester for this report was the SEL S-AWC PHEV model, which came with a Red Diamond exterior and black roof (a combination that added $995), with a black interior.
Mitsubishi says the SEL PHEV can go up to 38 miles on a full battery charge, and the battery can be recharged in about seven hours using an in-home Level 2 charger (240 volts), which most owners would likely have installed in their garages.
For a typical daily commute, which is usually under 20 miles,
most people would be able to drive the Outlander PHEV on battery power alone most of the time, providing it was plugged in each night to get ready for the next day. That would mean the gasoline engine would be used mostly only for longer drives, including trips.
Users have reported getting around 30 mpg when operating the Outlander PHEV on drives that require use of the gasoline engine. The official EPA rating is 26 mpg for gasoline driving.
Under the hood of all three Outlander PHEV models is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 132 horsepower and 144 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a continuously variable transmission, and powers the front wheels only.
This engine is supplemented by
front and rear electric motors, which allow for the all-electric operation. The rear electric motor provides the all-wheel-drive capability.
The front motor is rated at 114 horsepower and 188 foot-pounds of torque, while the rear motor has 94 horsepower and 144 footpounds of torque.
Powering the electric motors is a 350-volt, 20 kilowatt-hour (kwh) lithium-ion battery pack, mounted under the rear floor.
With the electric motors, the Outlander PHEV can get off to a rather quick start, although driving with a soft touch will maximize range on battery power and fuel efficiency while on gasoline power, of course.
There are three rows of seating, with comfortable bucket seats up front, a three-row bench seat in
the middle row, and a two-person bench seat in the third row.
The middle row has enough room for three average-size adults, but the third row is a tight fit for adults, with limited legroom, and is best for kids.
Our SEL model had leather seats with contrast stitching, and the interior overall had a luxury look and feel.
While leather is standard on the SEL model, our tester came with the SEL Premium Package ($2,700), which brought upgraded semianiline leather seating surfaces, along with a power-operated panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, synthetic leather door inserts with quilting (black and Saddle Tan), a 10.8-inch head-up display, a Bose premium audio system with nine speakers, and a