The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV represents the most technically advanced SUV ever produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). First launched in the UK in 2014, the Outlander PHEV made an immediate impact in the UK – the previous year fewer than 1,000 plug-in hybrids were sold in the UK but by the end of 2014 Mitsubishi had sold more than 10,000 Outlander PHEVs, driven by the public’s desire to drive greener vehicles combined with the increasing appetite for SUV and 4X4 vehicles. By November 2015 the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV had amassed 50,000 sales across Europe and by January 2018 it passed the 100,000 milestone. In fact, despite a growing number of competitors it remained Europe’s best selling plug-in hybrid vehicle three years in a row from 2015 – 2017* and it also remains the best-selling plug-in vehicle – hybrid or electric – in the UK.
Refreshed Design:
- Updated “Dynamic Shield” visual identity
- New front grille, bumper and fog lamp bezels
- New LED headlamp system
- New rear bumper and rear spoiler
- All-new 18” alloy wheel design
Uprated Performance:
- New 2.4L Atkinson cycle petrol engine
- Drive battery capacity increased by 15% to 13.8kWh
- Drive battery output increased by 10%
- Electric generator output increased by 10%
- Rear electric motor output increased by 10% to 95ps
- Upgraded PHEV operating system
Enhanced Driving Experience
- Super-All Wheel Control system with new SNOW and SPORT drive modes
- Higher body rigidity through the use of structural adhesive welding
- Re-calibrated suspension from improve ride quality
- Quicker steering rack with SPORT mode remapping
- Larger front brake discs (vented) for improved feel and stopping power
Advanced safety features and technologies:
- Five-star NCAP safety rating
- Automatic headlamps
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Reversing camera
- Electronic handbrake with auto hold
- Seven airbags, including driver’s side knee airbag
- LED daytime running lights
- LED fog lamps and LED high beams (except Juro)
- Electronic parking brake with auto-hold
- 360-degree camera with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (except Juro)
- 4hs and 5hs: Lane Departure Warning, Automatic high-beam; Adaptive Cruise Control; Blind Spot Warning system with Lane Change Assist
Luxurious Interiors:
- New front seat design with improved lateral bolstering
- Improved engine refinement and cabin noise reduction
- New noise reducing dampers on front and rear axles
- Revised switchgear (incl. new Drive mode toggle switch and SPORT button)
- New instrument cluster including regeneration meter
- Rear air conditioning vents
- New cabin accent trim and black headlining
- Enhanced levels of equipment
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in detail:
Key to the success of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is that it doesn’t ask its owners to make any compromises. For people wanting an SUV, it offers the same space and practicality, as well as the all-important elevated driving position, as any of its competitors. The battery pack doesn’t devour boot space or compromise the dynamics – it is integrated into the floor, keeping the centre of gravity low and ensuring that the Outlander PHEV retains the practical advantages of a large boot and fold-flat rear seats. For those looking for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers the unique solution of having an electric motor for each axle which means that even in EV mode, the Outlander PHEV remains a true 4X4 at all times.
For the growing number of people looking to drive more sustainable vehicles, the Outlander PHEV offers a real-world EV driving range far in excess of the average daily commute and ideally suited to the kind of use most family cars are put to: Short drives, often in urban or suburban stop-go traffic (i.e. the kind of motoring where internal combustion engines are often at their least efficient). And yet, thanks to the seamless integration of a powerful petrol engine, there is no range anxiety and no need for a second vehicle for longer drives – the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can genuinely assume the role of primary vehicle for any family.
Refreshed Design
In terms of exterior style, the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV benefits from a new front end with a redesigned grille, new bumper extension, new fog lamp bezels and all-new “technical look” LED headlamps. The rear is enhanced with a redesigned rear bumper extension and a large roof spoiler while new, 18-inch multi-spoke alloys complete the exterior revisions.
Enhanced Driving Experience:
Since its launch in 2014, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has continuously evolved to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of the plug-in hybrid segment. Whereas its 2016 redesign focused on giving the vehicle the upmarket look and feel its advanced architecture and technology warranted, and 2017 brought more safety and technical features, the changes made for the 2019 Outlander PHEV are focussed on ensuring it remains a leader in terms of efficiency and performance while also improving every aspect of the driving experience – all in response to customer feedback.
Unsurprisingly, the powertrain received the most extensive engineering focus with the development of a new “4B12” 2.4-litre petrol engine, which uses its MIVEC variable-valve timing system to seamlessly switch between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles depending on the driving situation. The larger capacity means the engine produces more power (135ps vs 121ps) and more torque across a wider rev range (211Nm vs 190Nm) when operating in the familiar Otto cycle mode, which is ideal for moderate-to-high load situations such as inclines and rapid acceleration. At the same time, the petrol engine also manages to be more efficient than before because it can switch to the Atkinson cycle – where the inlet valve remains open for longer, effectively reducing the compression stroke, thereby decreasing its capacity and consequently burning less fuel – under light load conditions such as motorway cruising
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s electric powertrain has also received some engineering attention. Improvements include a 10% increase in the generator output and an increase in the rear electric motor output from 82hp to 95hp. The drive battery has also had its output increased by 10% and its overall capacity increased by 15% to 13.8kWh thanks to new battery cells. From the driver’s perspective, one of the biggest changes is the increase to Outlander PHEV’s top speed in Electric Vehicle mode, up from approximately 78mph (125km/h) to 84mph (135km/h) where legally permitted.
This combination of improvements to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s dual powertrains means that it’s not only more efficient than before, it also offers better driving performance. The 0-62mph acceleration benchmark is dispatched in 10.5 seconds, some 0.5 seconds faster than before, while its overtaking acceleration is also improved by a similar margin (e.g. 50mph-62mph is reduced by 0.6 seconds to 3.7 seconds).
At the same time, the Outlander PHEV’s pure EV range is more than enough for the average daily UK commute: An impressive 28 miles according to the new, more stringent real-world WLTP tests. The WLTP average fuel economy figure for the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is 139mpg (159.5mph NEDC) and its WLTP CO2 emissions are just 46g/km (40.3g/km NEDC). To complement the drivetrain enhancements, a number of other changes ensure the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is even more pleasurable to drive. The front and rear shock absorbers have been revised to improve its low-speed ride while retaining its high-speed and cornering composure; the steering ratio has also been revised and the power steering ECU re-mapped to offer more responsiveness and feel, while the brake power has been improved with the introduction of larger front brake discs. A new “Sport Mode” brings with it sharper throttle responsiveness, sportier power steering and more grip via the Super All-Wheel Control system and there’s also a new SNOW mode to improve low-grip launching and cornering abilities on slippery surfaces, while the traction control system has been revised to improve hill-climbing performance by carefully managing rear motor torque without compromising stability.
Three Drive modes
As a reminder, Outlander PHEV offers three Drive Modes, all automatically activated by the PHEV Operating System and all offering permanent electric 4WD:
- EV Priority Mode (up to 84 mph – where legal)
- Car powered by the front & rear motors
- Energy sourced from the battery
- Series Hybrid Mode
- Car still powered by the front & rear motors
- Engine engaged to run the generator to charge the battery while driving
- Mode automatically activated for sudden acceleration, driving uphill or when the state of battery charge is too low (3-10 mins)
- System switches back to EV Priority mode as much as possible
- Parallel Hybrid Mode
- Engine powers front wheels (via Multimode front transaxle*)
- Front electric motor assists engine, rear motor drives rear wheels
- Mode automatically activated at high speed
- System switches to Series Hybrid/ EV Priority mode as much as possible
- Surplus engine torque used to charge generator
Luxurious interiors:
In addition to improved sound deadening and a more refined petrol engine, front seat Outlander PHEV occupants also benefits from re-contoured front seats which offer more lateral support during cornering. Adding to the comfort of the interior, the convenient Smartphone Link Display Audio infotainment system, with seven-inch touchscreen display, is now standard on all variants, allowing drivers to use Apple CarPlay*1 and Android AutoTM*2 to get navigation directions optimised for traffic conditions, make and receive calls, access text messages and listen to music, all in a way that allows them to stay focused on the road. Other features, such as the paddle-adjustable, six-setting regenerative braking system, remain key to the unique Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV driving experience and are therefore retained as before, however a new instrument cluster provides the driver with more information as to the operation of the various drive systems. Additional notable changes include the addition of rear ventilation vents, more convenient USB ports and new interior accent trim.
Enhanced Safety:
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV benefits from the latest in MMC safety technology, with its advanced features working to protect occupants, other road users and pedestrians, both in determining the risk of an impending accident and in the event of a collision.
The SUV has a comprehensive passive safety architecture based on Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) impact safety body and seven SRS airbag arrangement. This includes airbags fitted in front driver and passenger, side and side curtain areas. The 4hs and 5hs models benefit from additional active safety equipment including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (providing a visible and audible warning if a collision risk has been identified, escalating to autonomous braking if a high risk of collision has been determined); Blind Spot Monitoring; Unintended Acceleration Mitigation System (in case the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator when stationary or at speeds of up to 6 mph) and 360° camera to display a bird’s eye view of the perimeter of the vehicle, displayed on the Outlander’s 7-inch colour touch screen.
Model Specification:
Outlander PHEV Juro:
- Heated windscreen
- Heated front seats
- Electric Pre-Heater with air con function
- Remote Smartphone App compatibility
- Smartphone Link Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Electronic parking brake with brake auto hold
- EV priority mode
- Reverse Camera
- Cruise Control with speed limiter
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Front and Rear Fog Lamps
- Keyless operation system with start/stop button
Outlander PHEV 4h:
Specification as Juro plus:
- 360° camera
- Leather seats with 8-way electric adjusted front driver’s seat
- LED Front Fog Lamps
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Power Tailgate
- Heated Steering Wheel
- LED headlamps with auto levelling
Outlander PHEV 4hs:
Specification as 4h plus:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Forward Collision Mitigation
- Lane Departure Warning
- Unintended Acceleration Mitigation System
- Front and Rear parking sensors
- Auto high beam
Outlander PHEV 5h and 5hs
Specification as 4h/4hs plus:
- All-new premium leather seats (Claret Red, Porcelain Cream, or Gunmetal Grey)
- Matching door upholstery and centre armrest
- Premium Alpine audio system
- Colour coded five-piece premium mats (including boot)
- Heated rear seats
- LED exterior and interior lighting upgrade
- Blue LED mood lighting
- Bonnet badge
Pricing:
| Version | OTR Price* (Sept 2018) |
| Outlander PHEV Juro | £34,255 |
| Outlander PHEV 4h | £37,000 |
| Outlander PHEV 4hs | £39,100 |
| Outlander PHEV 5h | £41,000 |
| Outlander PHEV 5hs | £43,100 |
*OTR price includes £2,500 Plug-in car grant, first registration fee and VED
Technical Specification:
| Outlander PHEV | 4WD Auto |
| Dimensions (mm) | L 4695 / W 1800 / H 1710 / WB 2670 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 463 (+35L under floor cargo box) |
| Track F/R (mm) | 1540 / 1540 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 190 |
| Off Road Angles (Degrees) | Approach 21.0° / Breakover 19.0° / Departure 22.5° |
| Towing Capacity (kg) | 1,500 (braked trailer) |
| Engine | 2,360cc MIVEC Atkinson cycle |
| Max Output (ps) | 135 @ 4,500rpm |
| Torque (Nm) | 211 @ 4,500rpm |
| Charging | AC230V 16A:4.0 hrs / CHADeMO~80% in 25 mins |
| 0-62mph (secs) | 10.5 |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 106 |
| Top EV Speed (MPH) | 84 |
| Battery Storage | 300V Lithium ion battery pack, 13.8kWh capacity |
| EV range | 28 (WLTP) / 35 (WLTP City Driving) / 33 (NEDC) |
| Combined Cycle MPG | 139 (WLTP) / 159.5 (NEDC) |
| CO2 Emissions | 46 g/km (WLTP) / 40.3 g/km (NEDC) |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 1,880 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 litres |
| Suspension F/R | McPherson Struts / Multi-Link |
| Brakes F/R | Ventilated Discs / Solid discs |
| Turning Circle | 10.6m |
| Service Intervals | 12,500 miles / 12 months |
| Insurance Group | · Juro 27e
· 4h 31a · 5h 31a · 4hs 26e · 5hs 27e |
| Warranty | 5 Years / 62,500 miles |
| Anti-Perforation Warranty | 12 Year Anti-Corrosion Perforation |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 Year Pan-European including Home Start |
*1… Apple CarPlay, iPhone, and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the United States and other countries.
*2… Android Auto and Google Maps are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.
*Not CVT- Multimode eTransmission with Hydraulic Clutch