Car review: Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid electric SUV

This high-tech hybrid electric SUV is in a class of its own. A great choice for environmentally-conscious families, writes car reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The Mitsubishi PHEV may look like a normal Outlander, but hiding behind the mask is the most technologically advanced sport utility vehicle (SUV) on the market.

PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It means the SUV can be fed by electricity from a domestic socket to power electric motors that are supported by a petrol engine.

2 electric motors drive the front and rear axles separately while batteries allow electricity-only driving at up to 75mph.

Beyond that pace, or should the battery pack drain to less than 30% of its charge, a 2.0-litre petrol engine kicks in to life.

It acts as a generator to help the PHEV accomplish a total driving range of approximately 500 miles on a full tank. 

Great fuel efficiency

The Outlander PHEV is also the most fuel efficient 4-wheel drive.

That’;s astounding for a family-size car that tips the scales at a bulky 1,810kg, and seats 5.

As a global first, the Outlander PHEV also has no direct rival.

The closest is the Lexus RX450h, though it can’;t be recharged via a powerpoint and cannot run on electricity alone.

All mod cons

Befitting its first-class status in the Outlander range, the PHEV is very well stacked with kit.

It has 18-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing auto headlamps, touch-screen with satellite navigation and reversing camera, climate control, parking sensors and 6 airbags.

The flagship GX4hs was driven for this review and the model comes with additional features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. 

The latter squeals at you if it detects you’ve drifted across the road’s white dividing lines.

Impressive after a slow start

If you’;re used to a standard car, it’;s going to be a peculiar experience the first time you gently push the gearstick over to the right into D and drive off in silence.

Even sharp jabs of the throttle produce the same amount of hush, though that has its rewards – the audio unit is only average, so at least there’;s plenty of clarity in the quiet cabin.

The Outlander PHEV isn’;t rapid from a standing start, but tremendous pulling power makes up for it once you get going.

Initial acceleration suffers simply because of the heavy jumble of battery and electric motors that the standard Outlander doesn’;t possess.

Simple charging

When you need to recharge on the move, all you need to do is hit the Charge switch behind the joystick, which fires up the 4-cylinder engine to replenish the battery.

A single charge via a powerpoint takes 5 hours, which could cost you next to nothing depending on the time of day you choose to plug in to the grid.

Inside, it’;s pretty much standard Outlander layout apart from the joystick-style gearstick and electric charging buttons.

The tachometer has also been replaced by a power meter, which shows when you’;re charging up or using the battery, or running the engine.

Green, yet powerful

Behind the wheel, body control is good for an SUV of this weight as the Outlander PHEV profits from Mitsubishi’;s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC).

This is a system that ensures maximum stability when cornering.

Indeed, for its green yet powerful talents, Mitsubishi’;s PHEV is an SUV that many British families will take to their hearts. 

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Pros and cons

• Cheap to run √


• Pulling power √


• Lots of kit √


• Safe √


• Initial acceleration X

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Fast facts

• Max speed: 106 mph


• 0-62 mph: 11 secs


• Combined mpg: 148.7


• Engine: 2.0-litre petrol plus 2 electric motors


• Max. power (bhp): 119 at 4500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 140 at 4500 rpm


• CO2: 44 g/km


• Price: £40,054 on the road

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Car review: Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid electric SUV