The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the vehicle that introduced plug-in hybrids to Britain. It was the first somewhat widespread model to effectively combine zero-emissions battery electric driving with gasoline power for extended distances when it was introduced in 2013, with the early models having a “63” registration.
With an innovative dual-motor configuration, it lived true to its SUV appearance by providing electric propulsion to both the front and rear wheels. Result? grippy 4WD traction is ideal for driving through winter conditions.
The Outlander PHEV eventually went on to become the most popular plug-in hybrid in the UK, and its success has only grown with time. Due to their popularity, there are a lot of them available for purchase second-hand, with prices starting at just 7,500.
In This Article...
Prices
A well-known plug-in hybrid that is still in high demand on the used market is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. There is no shortage of options thanks to strong new car sales, which is also starting to down prices over time.
For an early 2014 Outlander PHEV, you’ll still need to set up roughly 7,500 dollars, and even this will probably only buy you a high-mileage model with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer. However, they don’t have the advantage of the Mitsubishi’s EV-only capacity, and that’s not much more than a typical family-sized SUV option. You’ll need to increase your budget to about 9,000 if you don’t want your projected 64-reg Outlander to have a six-figure mileage.
The Outlander PHEV underwent a significant redesign in the fall of 2015, giving it considerably more fashionable appearance. We prefer this model and believe it is well worth setting aside the additional money needed for one. What amount more? Well, 2016 versions with about 90,000 kilometers on them start at roughly $11,500, and examples with fewer miles start at about $13,000.
2018 saw a second redesign for the vehicleare you keeping up?
the front fog lights are square rather than circular, making them easy to detect in classified ads. and while the appearance received less of an update, there were more significant modifications underneath the skin, including a new 2.4-litre engine and more efficient electric drive gadgetry. These Outlander PHEV variants are the priciest; prices start at roughly $19,000.
Fantastic facelift
The normal Outlander lineup, which debuted in 2012 as a regular petrol and diesel SUV, only recently included the Outlander PHEV. Due to its sub-50g/km CO2 emissions, stated 32-mile EV range, and eligibility for the government’s Plug-in Car Grant, which was a generous 5,000 at the time, the PHEV version’s debut really put the car on the map. People were able to look past the fact that it was initially a little undercooked and uninspired due to the allure of the money.
However, Mitsubishi was already hard at work on an improvement after becoming aware of this. For cars registered beginning in 2016, it was made public in late 2015. With a wider grille, larger LED headlights, slim side skirts, and chunkier bumpers, facelifted models look much more upscale. The differences are like day and night. Climate control is now standard on all variants, while leather upholstery and a premium-looking dashboard have been updated inside.
The noisy 2.0-liter gasoline engine was kept, but advancements in electric-drive technology allowed for better pure EV acceleration at lower speeds. EV and hybrid modes might still be changed by the driver. The enhanced ride and tighter handling of the facelifted models make them more enjoyable to drive as well.
Bigger engine
Although less noticeable, the 2018 redesign did have the bigger 2.4-litre engine. The Outlander PHEV is a little less frantic when switching between electric and gasoline modes thanks to this because it has more pulling power. The software aids in refining by decreasing the frequency with which the engine revs are sent sky high. The fact that it now used the more effective Atkinson combustion cycle, which may increase actual fuel efficiency, was also well-liked by tech enthusiasts.
Mitsubishi upgraded the generator, added a new rear electric motor, and increased the battery capacity from 12 to 13.8 kWh. However, because new, more stringent WLTP fuel economy requirements were only becoming effective at this time, the claimed fuel efficiency is really slightly worse. Even with the more rigorous testing, CO2 emissions still fall below 50g/km, and the fact that the official EV range was a respectable-sounding 28 miles is a testament to the increased efficiency.
Fuel economy
The Outlander PHEV has astounding fuel efficiency of more over 150 mpg according to the numbers. But do not be fooled. This only occurs during the official fuel economy test, which begins with a fully charged battery and uses the gasoline engine only to complete the test.
It’s more mixed in actual use. The Outlander PHEV will be fantastic on gasoline, maybe going months without a refill, if you primarily make short trips and can frequently recharge. However, it will be a somewhat thirsty machine that will struggle to reach 30 mpg if you frequently do long motorway trips or infrequently recharge the batteries. Of course, it’s the same for all plug-in hybrids; just don’t hope for the unattainable.
At least all Outlander PHEVs still offer the tax-saving advantages of sub-50g/km CO2 emissions. Oh, and while we’re talking about efficiency, the standard expectation is for a pure EV range of about 25 miles. When it’s freezing out, it will decrease, but on a mild summer day with the air conditioning on “ECO,” it may creep up to just over 30 miles.
What goes wrong?
We’re able to reassure you right away. Since its release, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has continuously scored very highly in reliability studies, demonstrating its exceptional dependability and dependability.
Trade expert Neal Shaw from Brindley Fleet and Leasing claims he has supplied thousands and is almost evangelical with some owners “can genuinely count on one hand the number of cars that have experienced significant problems and had them all rectified.
“I’ve been astonished by how dependable the PHEV has been given the technology involved.
But it doesn’t mean there aren’t some things to watch out for. A few owners have noted that the electronic parking brake on post-facelift cars, which replaced the basic manual handbrake, occasionally fails to release fully. We acknowledge that this could also be user mistake, so it’s important to read the owner’s manual to fully understand how it operates.
Another complaint, about bent or broken clips on the charging flap, which can result in it flopping open, really seems to highlight how dependable the Outlander PHEV is. It won’t be a pricey repair because both Mitsubishi dealers and some professionals are skilled at addressing this. And if that’s the main complaint people have, then, well…
Warranty-wise
A three-year warranty was initially included with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Perfectly kind and competitive with its opponents. However, since they came with a better five-year warranty, it’s worthwhile to hunt for vehicles made in 2015 and later. Even if it has now expired, knowing that any faults will have been dealt with rather being simply disregarded should give you comfort.
Make sure the service history is completely current if you’re purchasing a newer model because any remaining warranty could be void otherwise. Additionally, the Outlander PHEV comes with an eight-year battery guarantee, which should ease your fears if you’re concerned about battery life.
Interior
The Outlander PHEV’s spacious interior is appealing to families. It comfortably sits five people, and because of the upright form, it appears light and large. Contrary to non-PHEV Outlander versions, which can seat up to seven passengers, it only has five seats. The third row of seats would normally fit in that space, but the batteries must go somewhere. However, the boot itself is spacious.
Mitsubishi offers a bewildering variety of trims for the Outlander PHEV. They were initially designated GX3h, GX4h, and GX5h, with GX4hs and GX5hs containing additional goodies. In general, you get more equipment the higher the number. Later on, this developed into the Design, Dynamic, and Exceed variations. Over the years, other special editions, including Juro and Keiko, also appeared. Oh, and if you see a 4Work model, that is the commercial variant in the van design, with no rear seats but a larger load bay (and VAT-free appeal).
Whatever specification you select, the Outlander PHEV will typically have a respectable level of equipment. The higher-spec models are packed with features, and you’ll like fiddling with the dashboard’s controls to find features like heated seats and an upgraded audio system.
Charging
Two charging ports are located beneath the flap on the back right side of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Owners can use a Type 1 socket at home or at the majority of public AC points. A CHAdeMO DC connector is also available for quick charging.
It will take about 3.5 hours to fully charge an Outlander PHEV if you have a 7kW wallbox at home, or twice that if you’re using a conventional plug socket. It will only take 25 minutes if you use a 50kW public rapid charger, minimizing the amount of time you have to wait while parked before you can resume driving in pure electric mode.
How long does the battery on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV last?
The developments that Mitsubishi introduced to the market for electric vehicles have left a lasting impression. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV was the first mass-produced electric vehicle with current highway compatibility. When it was introduced in 2009, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was praised for pushing the limits of what was feasible for electric vehicles and won several accolades as a result. These included the “Japanese Car of the Year Most Advanced Technology” award given during the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in 2009 and the “2009 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car Technology of the Year” award given in October 2009.
Mitsubishi has continued to create advancements that have changed the industry, and their most recent battery technology is no exception. Mitsubishi’s two most recent PHEV models, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, are powered by the company’s years of experience in the development of battery technology. Each of these plug-in hybrid cars utilize the technology that the Mitsubishi i-MiEV pioneered by mounting electric motors on both axles and powering each motor with 130 kW from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. In order to create a line of PHEVs with all of their advantages and none of their disadvantages, Mitsubishi took the time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a full electric vehicle (EV) and a conventional hybrid car. Both the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Eclipse Cross PHEV include complete electric drive modes that don’t require the use of their internal combustion engines but also allow for the usage of those engines in conjunction with their electric motors for increased performance and range. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Outlander PHEV offer a fuel-efficient vehicle while ever sacrificing performance, with numerous drive modes to fully utilize their electric motor technology.
Mitsubishi’s selection of electric vehicles is ideal for family road trips or regular errand runs. The Mitsubishi Outlander offers every outdoor convenience that fans have grown to enjoy, including the ability to tow a boat and navigate a construction site. The zippy “off the line performance” of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV is similar to that of their prior models. Both vehicles are made to be charged while being driven or while being charged overnight at home, ready for the next day.
The lithium-ion battery is protected by an 8 year / 160,000 km guarantee on both the Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse Cross PHEV, offering you peace of mind in the event of any unforeseen events. Contact the staff at Simon Lucas Mitsubishi right away for more details on Mitsubishi’s selection of plug-in hybrid vehicles!
Are Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles dependable?
How Reliable Are Mitsubishi Outlanders? The Mitsubishi Outlander has received excellent ratings for reliability. It receives a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it eighth out of 26 cars in its category.
What is the maximum range of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The search for the ideal kind of vehicle propulsion has led us from conventional gasoline and diesel to electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.
However, each of these methods involves trade-offs. In the coming six months, I’ll be determining whether the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the best option for short commutes and longer road trips since I believe plug-in hybrid vehicles could be the solution.
I had to first pick up the eco-off-road vehicle from Hummingbird Motors in Finchley, north London, and get a quick tutorial on how to operate it. Larry Wood, the principal of the dealership, has worked with Mitsubishis since the 1970s and was available to give me a quick tour of the vehicle.
Two electric motors and a 2.0-liter engine work together to power the Outlander. It can travel 32 miles on battery power alone when fully charged. When these are exhausted, the motors are powered by the gasoline engine rather than the wheels.
That means in addition to the typical fuel tank, it also contains power lines for charging. I’m hoping that charging up at our workplace car park will enable me to get home and back the next morning in EV mode because I don’t have off-street parking at home. After all, the distance is only 18 miles round trip.
The Outlander is distinctive due to its size as well. This vehicle is a full-fledged off-roader with four-wheel drive capability, not a tiny, lightweight crossover.
But there are other brilliant technologies available as well. The sat-nav screen has a number of settings that may inform me how effectively I’m driving and how long I can go in pure electric mode.
Another important aspect is that, unlike some hybrid vehicles, the batteries don’t reduce the 436-liter boot’s capacity. I’m hoping Jarvis, my dog, will feel at home there, and that there will be plenty of room for trips to the dump.
Since then, I’ve only made a few trips to and from my north London apartment and our central London offices, but the Outlander has already impressed mewith the exception of the stiff ride. I enjoy how it travels in almost complete stillness, taking my mind off the pressures of my drive. Based on this data, Mitsubishi has come closer than others to producing the perfect powertrain for the modern day.
Insurance estimate from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old Banbury, Oxon, resident with three points is shown below.
How long is the lifespan of a Mitsubishi Outlander?
When kept up to date with routine maintenance and service intervals, the durable Mitsubishi Outlander compact crossover SUV may travel between 200,000 and 250,000 miles before needing replacement. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, it can last 13 to 17 years before needing expensive repairs.
How much does a new Mitsubishi Outlander battery cost?
I drive a Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid. I bought this brand-new in October 2014 in Newmarket, Auckland. It’s been a terrific car, and I intend to continuing driving it for many more years.
But as of 2020, I’ve observed that the battery is now beginning to degrade. So I asked my neighborhood dealer in Hastings, Hawkes Bay, to perform a battery check on it 10 days ago. It returned at a 63 percent capacity. That came as no real surprise to a six-year-old.
I enquired about the battery life and cost from the dealer when I purchased the vehicle. They estimated an 8-year lifespan and replacement costs of around $7,000. Although it gave me pause for a second, I was still able to make the calculations work if I were to change the battery every eight years (roughly).
Based on how quickly the battery is now degrading, I predict I have between 18 and 2 years before the car is no longer drivable. On occasion, on the steep hills between Napier and Taupo, I’ve run out of battery power. Enough to understand that the car won’t be a safe vehicle to drive without battery power.
So I requested a pricing quote for a new battery from the nearby dealer. The response was startling. The battery cost $24,000, and the car installation cost $30,000.
As part of my ongoing study, I will get quotations from Mitsubishi Hastings and the Newmarket dealership where I purchased the vehicle. However, at that cost, I may have to write off the automobile in two years. Even today, it will be worth almost nothing because I can’t ethically sell this car to someone else with that debt hanging over it. If a new car with a $66,000 price tag is written off after 7-8 years, the depreciation will be very high.
I’m quite afraid that hundreds of additional PHEV owners in New Zealand will soon have the same unpleasant shock. If this is the actual cost of replacing the battery, Mitsubishi ought to stop selling these vehicles right away in my opinion.
I’m looking for counsel from the AA while still pursuing this problem with the dealership.
Does the Mitsubishi PHEV allow for in-car charging?
Response given by. It doesn’t charge while you’re driving if you’re referring to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s battery-only range. The Outlander PHEV has a battery-only range of up to 24 miles.
Can the PHEV battery be upgraded?
The majority of EVs currently on the market can’t do it. That is so because the upgrade involves changes to both the hardware and the software. But Teslas are a little bit of a different story. Many of that automaker’s battery packs come in a single size, allowing customers to upgrade to a more powerful battery if they so desire.
Do Mitsubishi’s issues frequently arise?
But it’s obvious that something has changed. Mitsubishi has slipped down the list of automotive brands in recent years and is now among the least trustworthy ones. They were listed by Consumer Reports as one of the worst automakers in 2016. They scored just 51, placing them third from the bottom. Although Consumer Reports gave them an average reliability rating, they were not given a model recommendation. Ouch.
What causes Mitsubishi to fail?
Mitsubishi persisted in its rallying endeavors but changed from the Starion to the Lancer saloon, resulting in the Lancer Evo. The powerful Evo versions would essentially establish themselves as a brand, garnering praise for their performance, technology, and handling. When driven by Tommi Makinen, they dominated the World Rally Championship despite fierce competition from Subaru, Ford, Hyundai, and Skoda.
When the Japanese financial crisis of the 1990s hit, Mazda surpassed Mitsubishi to become the third-largest Japanese automaker, and Mitsubishi would never regain that position.
A manufacturing fault controversy involving failing brakes, gasoline leaks, and malfunctioning clutches that Mitsubishi was embroiled in in 2000 eventually led to the recall of more than 160,000 vehicles. Katsuhiko Kawasoe, the firm chairman, was fired and detained as a result of the controversy.
The electric iMiEV, which is based on the gasoline-powered Mitsubishi I arrived on the market far earlier than most other electric vehicles. Mitsubishi was the first to market, despite the fact that its 100 km range and hefty price make us chuckle today.
Mitsubishi once more gained an advantage over the rest of the auto industry by developing the first truly well-liked plug-in hybrid vehicle. Although the Outlander’s appearance and interior may not have been best-in-class, its engineering is close to unmatched, and it hasn’t experienced any of the battery dependability problems that have plagued some of its PHEV competitors.
Mitsubishi made news for all the wrong reasons once more, this time for exaggerating how inexpensive several important models on the Japanese market may be. In actuality, it was subsequently discovered that Mitsubishi may have cheated on their fuel testing for up to 25 years. More corporate blood was spilled, and the scandal allowed Renault-Nissan to acquire Mitsubishi.