A Journey into the Future
The electric locomotive is well underway, and many viewers often ask whether they should go electric with their next car or just wait. With various circumstances, anxieties, price concerns, and reluctances, it’s evident that most people have yet to seriously consider going electric. In this article, we review the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in its top Exceed Tourer trim and examine whether it’s the perfect transition vehicle for those wanting the benefits of electric while still clinging to the convenience of internal combustion.
Contemperary Look for the Modern SUV
The latest iteration of the Outlander’s front grille is bold, featuring LED lights on the sides and narrow daytime running lamps up top. The side profile is clean and standard, with 20-inch alloys available on mid-trim Aspire models and above. The top trim option includes a two-tone paint job, with a black mica roof contrasting a white diamond body and matching the panoramic glass roof. The rear design is sleek, with a slightly bulging shape and narrow taillights reminiscent of Toyota’s RAV4 and Kluger models. Overall, the design is modern and tasteful without being controversial.
Powertrain Perfection: Merging Electric and Combustion
The 2023 Outlander PHEV is powered by an Atkinson cycle 2.4-liter petrol engine, specifically tuned for the plug-in hybrid setup, with a larger 56-liter fuel tank. This engine is paired with a 20 kWh battery and twin motors, delivering a combined power output of 185 kW and 450 Nm. The 20 kWh battery provides an impressive 84 km of pure electric range, while the twin motors make the Outlander a functional electric vehicle, capable of all-wheel drive as a pure EV car.
Charging Ahead: Flexible Solutions for a Green Future
The Outlander PHEV features two charging inputs: Type 2 and CHAdeMO, allowing for flexible charging options. Charging times range from 9.5 hours using the standard 240V wall charger to 38 minutes using a public CHAdeMO fast charger. Additionally, the vehicle supports V2X technology, enabling vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities.
Smooth Sailing: Driving Experience Reimagined
The Outlander PHEV offers various driving modes, including a satisfying EV mode with over 80 km of pure electric driving range. The dual-motor setup ensures a smooth and responsive driving experience, with improved regenerative braking control. The vehicle’s transition between EV and hybrid modes is seamless, and the internal combustion drive is quiet and smooth. The Outlander PHEV has a towing capacity of up to 1600 kg and offers Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, as well as Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud modes for off-road capabilities.
Inner Sanctuary: Premium Comfort Meets High-Tech
The top Exceed Tourer trim features a premium leather interior with black and saddle tan color pairing. A 9-inch central infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster come standard across all trims. The infotainment system supports wired and wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Additional luxury features include a head-up display, heated steering wheel, panoramic glass roof, and massage seats. The vehicle has a 5+2 seating layout, providing an optional third row for occasional use.
Safety Shield: Advanced Features for Peace of Mind
The 2023 Outlander PHEV comes with a range of standard safety features, including Forward Collision Mitigation system, Predictive Forward Collision Mitigation, Emergency Lane Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Driver Attention Alert. The top two trims also offer the MiPilot driving assistant, with features like Advanced Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist.
Pricing Breakdown: Choosing the Right Outlander PHEV Trim
The recommended retail pricing for the Outlander PHEV models starts at $55,490 for the ES, $61,900 for the Aspire, $67,490 for the Exceed, and the top Exceed Tourer is priced at $69,990. The ES trim comes with a 2.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, producing a combined output of 185 kW and 450 Nm. It achieves an impressive fuel efficiency of 1.5 L/100 km and emits just 35 g/km of CO2.
The Final Verdict: Transitioning to Electric Made Easy
Mitsubishi now includes a 10-year warranty along with 10-year capped price servicing, which helps inspire confidence in the purchase. The question remains, is the Outlander PHEV the perfect transition vehicle to going electric? The answer is yes, but not only because it’s a plug-in hybrid.
Many manufacturers are simply ticking the boxes with mild hybrids, hybrids, or plug-in hybrid options, but many of those cars feel like just that – box tickers. This latest Outlander PHEV, on the other hand, feels like Mitsubishi is trying to ensure that all of its features are more than just functional. As leaders in the PHEV space, they have created a vehicle that truly stands out.
What makes the Outlander PHEV the perfect transition vehicle is the fact that it offers a true and capable EV experience, a seamless and comfortable hybrid experience, and equips it all with advanced technology like V2X, which gives you scope to make this car so much more than just a daily driver.
So, if you’re considering making the switch to electric, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an excellent choice that provides both the benefits of electric driving and the convenience of a traditional internal combustion engine.
