Mitsubishi prices Outlander PHEV from $54,590

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia has added four plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants – in five-seat and five-plus-two guises – to its Outlander range, with initial Australian dealer deliveries from August 15th.

The new-gen plug-in medium SUV features a beefed-up power unit, larger-capacity high-voltage battery, stronger electric motors and a longer pure-electric range of up to 84km (on the NEDC test).  

Prices of the PHEV range from $54,590 to $68,490 (plus on-road costs), with trim grades comprising ES, Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer. 

Said to offer “a smoother, more responsive and quieter drive, with sharper acceleration and longer EV only driving range” compared with its predecessor, the new Outlander PHEV features an updated 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack (45 per cent more capacity than the previous version’s 13.8kWh unit), front and rear electric motors, and a specifically tuned 98 kW (+ 4kW) Atkinson-cycle 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.

The twin e-motor setup, which supplements the vehicle’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system, consists of an 85kW front-axle motor (up from 60kW previously) and a 100kW rear motor (up from 70kW). Claimed combined cycle fuel consumption is 1.5L/100km (NEDC).

Mitsubishi says the rear electric motor features a new, integrated control unit occupying a smaller space than before, enabling the new Outlander PHEV to offer a three-row, ‘5+2’ seating configuration for the first time (on Exceed and Exceed Tourer versions).

The 2.4-litre petrol Atkinson cycle combustion engine acts primarily as an on-board generator (or range extender) in series hybrid mode, though is also capable of driving the front wheels directly in parallel hybrid mode, which is enabled at cruising speed or under high load driving situations. 

Combined outputs of the petrol-electric hybrid power unit are 185kW and 450Nm and fuel tank capacity has increased from 45 to 56 litres.

Meanwhile, a new battery cooling system ensures optimum battery operation by using the vehicle’s air-conditioning unit, while an upgraded power drive unit is equipped with a voltage boost function that bolsters the performance of the front e-motor, while simultaneously reducing power consumption.

A reinforced differential employs a thicker carrier and stronger shaft and pinion, Mitsubishi claims, which allowing the new Outlander PHEV to turn up its regenerative braking capability.

There are six adjustable energy regeneration levels – the maximum energy regeneration (also known as “one-pedal”) drive mode is accessible via a centre console button. 

Multiple charging modes are supported. Charging ports include an AC connector that supports Mode 2 (standard 240V AC) and Mode 3 (fast 240V AC, with dedicated Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charging, while adjacent is a CHAdeMO port that enables Mode 4 DC rapid charging.

Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables come as standard equipment across the range.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV charge-time guide:

Mitsubishi’s Dendo Drive House is a bi-directional charging system that allows the Outlander PHEV to act as a mobile energy store, capable of recharging and discharging power whenever and wherever it is needed (with an approved bi-directional electric vehicle supply equipment).

Accessed via the vehicle’s CHAdeMO charging port, this capability allows the energy stored in the 20kWh high-voltage battery to be discharged; back into the grid (Vehicle-to-Grid), or to power a home or other property (Vehicle-to-Home) not connected to the grid (also known as ‘Islanding’).

In Aspire and Exceed variants, there are also two on-board 1500W, 240V AC three-pin power points that provide Vehicle-to-Load capability for powering camping equipment or domestic appliances.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia says the Outlander’s interior design team focused on improved seat comfort, reducing NVH levels and using premium materials at key touchpoints throughout the cabin.

ES and Aspire variants have a two-row, five-seat layout with 40:20:40 split-fold capability, while Exceed and Exceed Tourer have a three-row, ‘5+2’ layout with a redesigned folding mechanism.

Specification wise, the Outlander PHEV ES’s exterior is adorned with LED headlamps and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, plug-in hybrid EV badging, a rear-view camera, plus front and rear parking sensors. 

Its interior is trimmed in cloth and equipped with a urethane multifunction steering wheel (with haptic vibration alert), a 12.3-inch digital driver display, push-button start and dual-zone air-conditioning.

The 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system features satellite navigation and supports Bluetooth connectivity (with voice control), Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and works in conjunction with a six-speaker audio system (including two tweeters).

Safety wise, the PHEV ES variant comes equipped with dual front, side- and centre airbags, a driver's knee airbag, curtain airbags (for the first and second rows), ABS with EBD, traction, terrain, stability and yaw control, trailer stability and hill start assist, as well as hill descent control.

Furthermore, the ES features adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, driver attention alert, forward-collision mitigation (with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction assist), blind-spot warning and intervention, lane-change alert, lane-departure warning and prevention, as well as emergency lane keeping (with traffic and road-edge recognition).

One step up from the ES is the Aspire variant, which is distinguished by 20-inch alloy wheels with two-tone finish, LED fog lamps, silver skid plates (front and rear), silver roof rails and rear privacy glass.

Inside, the Aspire has a leather-trimmed steering wheel, combination seat trim, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, seating heating (driver and front passenger) and a roll-type cargo cover at the back.

The LED headlamps (with adaptive driving beam) are self-levelling and automatically activated (as are the windscreen wipers).

Aspire trim also adds a head-up display, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, power-folding and heated wing mirrors, keyless operating system and a wireless charging pad, while rear occupants are provided two USB power sockets. 

The tailgate is electrically operated (with one-touch open and hands-free operation) and additional safety features fitted include 360-degree parking cameras, rear automatic braking and cross-traffic alert.

Exceed variants can be distinguished from lesser siblings by colour-coded lower body accents, B- and C-pillars with gloss black paint and a front tilt/slide panoramic sunroof.

Compared with the Aspire, the Exceed has a quilted-leather-trim and comes with the  5+2 seat layout, an electrically- adjustable front passenger seat with two-position memory for both front occupants and auto-tilt for the side mirrors.

A Bose nine-speaker audio system, aluminium gearshift trim panel and front door-trim illumination, tri-zone aircon (with rear control panel) and pull-up second-row sunshades are also included.

Finally, the Exceed Tourer features bespoke interior and exterior finishes for added luxury and road presence. In addition to the Exceed, it comes with a two-tone exterior finish (Black Diamond with Deep Bronze or White Diamond with Black Mica), which is complemented by a two-tone high grade leather interior (black and saddle tan), as well as driver and front passenger seat massage function.

All Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV variants are sold with an eight-year/160 000 km drive-battery warranty and a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, the latter of which may be eligible to be extended to 10 years/200,000 km if all scheduled services are done through the Mitsubishi dealership network.

Similarly, the 12 months of complimentary roadside assist can be maintained for up to 4 years if the vehicle is serviced by authorised dealers in accordance with the service schedule.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV pricing*:

*Excludes on-road costs