Why owners love the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been a perennial favourite since its launch in 2013. With its combination of space, reliability and plug-in capability, it’s a fuel-efficient SUV that’s helped many drivers make the step to electric ownership.

Under the bonnet it has a 2.4-litre petrol engine which, when combined with its two electric motors, can produce up to 221bhp. It can run for up to 28 miles on electric power alone in EV priority mode, making it an ideal choice for short commutes, the school run or a trip to the shops.

Outlander PHEV owners who took part in our Driver Power survey vouched for the SUV’s quality in several different areas. They enjoyed the smoothness of its acceleration, gear changes and braking, plus its quiet engine. Fuel economy was also a major draw. With official figures rating CO2 emissions at 46g/km and up to 139.7mpg, it boasts strong credentials compared to petrol and diesel rivals.

Keeping the car charged is also straightforward – the battery can be fully charged in five and a half hours from a standard three-pin plug, while a dedicated charge port cuts that time to three and a half hours. From a rapid charger, you can get the battery up to 80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes and be ready to hit the road. “I love the fact that I do not use petrol for my short local journeys,” one Driver Power respondent said, while another stated that their regular commute of around 35 miles “is mostly on electric as I charge at home and work”.

When it comes to tech, the Outlander PHEV has everything you’d expect from a modern SUV. An eight-inch touchscreen display (available with the Design, Dynamic and Exceed models) serves as the central control for the car’s infotainment system giving you access to music, navigation through smartphone (TomTom sat nav is available with the Exceed model) and details on energy consumption and driving range. All models come with Bluetooth connectivity, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto* (Design, Dynamic and Exceed models only) mean you can access essential smartphone apps through the car’s infotainment screen. One Driver Power reader praised the Outlander PHEV for its “good sound system and touchscreen controls”.

Driver Power survey respondents also had positive things to say about the generous legroom inside, while higher-spec models come with heated steering wheel and lumbar adjustment designed to ensure drivers are comfortable on the road. The Outlander PHEV Dynamic and Exceed models bring a comprehensive suite of safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Upgrade to the Dynamic Safety and Exceed Safety, meanwhile, and you’ll get the Forward Collision Mitigation System, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System.

Furthermore, the Exceed’s 360-degree camera helps you avoid unexpected obstacles when manoeuvring, and all models come with heated electric folding mirrors to ensure good visibility even on the coldest days. The Driver Power results saw praise for the child-friendly features (which includes Isofix seat mounts), and the great visibility from the driver’s seat, too.

Overall the Outlander PHEV brings the convenience and reliability of an SUV with the economy and low emissions of a hybrid. “It's a pleasure to drive and great to know I am making a difference to the environment,” said one Driver Power owner.

You can watch the driving film above to take a closer look at the car in action, and see more Driver Power feedback from real-life Outlander PHEV owners.

Learn more about Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV

Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV / MPG (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0) / Electric energy consumption (weighted combined): 3.68 miles/kWh / CO₂ emissions (weighted): 46 g/km / Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles

These figures were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO₂ and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

*Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google LLC