2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Jack of All Trades

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV represents a fascinating evolution of a brand, once known for its rally racing glory back in the 1990s. With its SUV model lineup, the brand has shifted its focus from raw performance to everyday usability, offering a unique value proposition with the Outlander PHEV. Even though it will be updated for 2025, the Outlander is still one of the few compact crossovers offering a plug-in hybrid technology in its class, and the only readily available option in the dealer lots.

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s front fascia is a design statement that offers a nice balance of sharp edges and a futuristic look. The “Dynamic Shield” front grille stretches wide, flanked by sleek, split headlights that give a modern and rugged look. The chrome accents add a touch of sophistication, contrasting nicely with the robust and angular lines. Even though it shares its platform with the Nissan Rogue, it looks completely different and uniquely Mitsubishi.

From the side, the Outlander PHEV strikes a confident balance between practicality and ruggedness. Its well-proportioned silhouette avoids unnecessary design gimmicks, maintaining a sense of understated elegance. The subtly pronounced wheel arches hint at the Outlander’s capability to handle more than just smooth pavement, adding a touch of adventure to its look. The cohesive design continues around the rear, where clean lines and a composed aesthetic tie everything together. However, one small disappointment is the fake exhaust tips – a design feature more commonly found in European rivals and one that feels a bit unnecessary.

The interior of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV looks very similar to the current generation Nissan Rogue but improved in some areas to elevate the premium feel. There are a decent amount of soft-touch surfaces, quilted leather upholstery, and a modern dashboard layout. The infotainment screen feels a little bit dated, which is going to be updated in the next model year. The Outlander also comes with a fully digital gauge cluster, which is relatively customizable and easy to use.

The Outlander PHEV offers a spacious and versatile cabin, offering seating for up to seven passengers, which is quite rare in a compact SUV segment. It offers a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid 7-seater vehicle. The driver and passenger seats have a massage feature, another feature that is almost impossible to find in this segment. Even though the third row is for small children or for emergencies, it can fold down fully flat with a minimum compromise to the overall interior space.

The second-row seats slide and recline for enhanced comfort, or simply more space for the third-row passengers. Other creature comforts make your life easier, such as the air vents, sun shaders and USB ports for the second-row occupants. The tri-zone climate control ensures all passengers stay comfortable on longer trips, while the 1500-watt AC power outlet allows the SUV to serve as a mobile power source, which is ideal for camping trips or emergency scenarios.

Behind the third row, you will find 330 litres of cargo space, expanding to 949 litres with the third row folded up, and up to 2218 litres when both the second and third rows folded flat. While its overall cargo capacity is slightly less than the Nissan Rogue due to battery placement, the Outlander compensates with a flat load floor and hands-free power liftgate for added convenience. Overall, despite having a mechanical all-wheel-drive system, as well as a large battery pack and third-row seating, the Outlander PHEV is just as family-friendly as the non-hybrid entries in the market.

The Outlander PHEV stands out as a rare offering in the compact crossover segment, thanks primarily to its advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It pairs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with dual electric motors—one on each axle—providing all-wheel-drive capability and a seamless blend of power and efficiency. With a combined 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, it’s not only the most powerful Outlander ever but also the quickest modern Mitsubishi. Unlike many hybrids, it can send real power to the rear wheels, delivering a level of performance that’s unexpected in a family-friendly, eco-focused SUV.

The front electric motor produces 114 horsepower, while the rear motor adds 134 horsepower, working together with the gasoline engine for smooth power delivery and enhanced efficiency. The Outlander PHEV allows its driver to choose multiple hybrid modes, including fully electric drive until it runs out of battery juice. It gives you other options such as charging, or saving the electric battery for different driving circumstances.

The Outlander PHEV comes with a 20.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned under the floor to maintain interior space and improve the center of gravity. As it also has a gas engine, the gas tank is placed under the rear seats and it is not smaller than the gas-only version, which offers an excellent range compared to other non-hybrid variants. The 20 kWh battery pack provides an EPA-estimated 60 kilometres of fully electric range, which can go down drastically in cold weather.

If you use your plug-in hybrid as a regular hybrid, meaning if you don’t charge it, the fuel economy numbers will be a little worse than the competition due to two important reasons. The first one is the larger battery pack compared to regular hybrids. The most important one that makes the Outlander unique is the mechanical Super All Wheel Drive system. Some entries have electric motors turning the rear wheels, and the Outlander has a mechanical connection that sends power to the rear wheels with the gas engine, or both engines at the same time. It makes the Outlander the right choice for people looking for a more capable all-wheel-drive system.

Like its all-wheel-drive system, the Outlander PHEV’s charging options are unique in its class. As with most plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, it supports Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. However, charging speeds are on the slower side with a maximum of 16 amp charging capacity —Level 1 (120V) takes approximately 16 hours, while Level 2 (240V) reduces that time to just over six hours, making overnight charging the most practical option for most owners. What sets the Outlander PHEV apart is its Level 3 DC fast charging capability, a rare feature among plug-in hybrids. While this may seem like an advantage, it’s not particularly necessary due to the vehicle’s relatively small battery, and the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard is becoming increasingly difficult to find in North America.

Unlike most plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Outlander PHEV has different priorities that might make it more appealing to its potential buyers. It prioritizes comfort, stability and all-weather capability, thanks to its Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. It continuously monitors traction and adjusts power distribution between the front and rear axles, as well as individual wheels, to enhance handling and stability. The combination of a gasoline engine and dual electric motors provides instant torque and smooth acceleration. The electric motors do a great job hiding the deficiencies of an internal combustion engine, and they get involved where the driver needs more power. in hybrid mode, making city driving effortless.

In EV mode, the Outlander PHEV delivers a composed and refined ride, with its suspension tuned primarily for comfort. However, this soft setup results in noticeable body roll during higher-speed turns. The light steering complements the overall smooth and effortless driving feel but lacks a strong sense of feedback. When the gasoline engine engages to assist the electric motors, engine noise becomes noticeable inside the cabin, slightly disrupting the otherwise quiet experience. This is especially noticeable in colder weather, where the engine frequently starts to provide cabin heat despite the presence of a stand-alone heat pump. During these instances, mechanical noises from the powertrain become more pronounced, making them more audible than expected for a plug-in hybrid.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is going to get refreshed this year, but the 2024 Outlander PHEV still stands out as a well-rounded plug-in hybrid SUV that can do it all. It offers a great interior space with good build quality, good ride quality, and a great all-wheel drive system, offering a seamless blend of power and efficiency in one package. Despite its shortcomings such as the slow charging speeds, it is the only option with a mechanical all-wheel drive system, and a 7-seat configuration, with a solid 10-year manufacturer warranty.

Engine2.4-litre naturally aspirated inline-4 & AC motors
Transmission & DrivetrainContinuously variable automatic & S-AWC
Max power (combined)248 hp
Max torque (combined)332 lb-ft
0-100 km/h6.8 sec
Curb Weight4751 lbs – 2155 kg
Fuel Economy (observed)36.2 MPG – 6.5 L/100 km
Price (starting)$48,198 CAD
Website:www.mitsubishi-motors.ca
Dan Gunay

Freelance Automotive & Motorcycle Journalist

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