2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
For this week’s review we’ve gotten our hands on the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the best selling hybrid SUV in the world. With competitors joining to get a piece of the electrification market, is the Outlander still going to be number 1?
Disclosure: Mitsubishi Canada provided me with the 2020 Outlander PHEV for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me. #MitsubishiOutlanderPHEV
ACCELERATION: 6/10
Hybrid 2.0L 4-cylinder - 117 HP / 137 lb-ft
Front Motor 80 HP / 101 lb-ft
Rear Motor 80 HP / 144 lb-ft
9.1 second 0-100 km/hr
BRAKING: 7/10
Average braking ability, most likely due to the tire size and weight of the car
HANDLING: 6/10
The Super All Wheel Control badge is a bit misleading. I thought it would be like Acura’s Super Handling AWD but I don’t recommend pushing this vehicle in turns
RIDE: 8/10
Suspensions are comfortable on regular paved roads.
CABIN NOISE: 7/10
One of the louder options when comparing hybrids
Fuel Economy:9.5/10
78.4 / 69.2 / 73.5 (City / Highway / Combined)
Fuel economy is really good if you have access to charging all the time. The fuel economy will drop significantly once switch to gasoline power only mode.
35 km range in electric only mode
Level 1 - 8 hrs
Level 2 Charging 3.5 hrs
Level 3 Charging 0-80% in 25 minutes
EXTERIOR: 6.5/10
Wheels look nice but the exterior design won’t turn heads
INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 5.75/10
Driving dynamics is vague and acceleration is weak. You don’t get that instant power you expect from electrified vehicles.
When you drive slowly with only the electric motors it makes this whining sound that’s easy to pick up on.
It was nice to see AWD capability in EV mode and the shift paddles to control the regenerative braking feel amazing!
Driver enjoyment is not where the Outlander PHEV shines, but that’s not the reason why people buy this type of car so it’s not really a big deal.
Center console controls:
INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 7.5/10
Lots of space for the whole family.
The new interior look makes it look more upscale than the 2018 version I tested
Rear seats fold down flat similiar to the Honda Fit’s magic seats.
Wish the moonroof was larger to let in more light for the rear passengers
INTERIOR STORAGE: 10/10
34.2 Cu Ft with the seats up. 60/40 folding seats
Because the Outlander was designed as a three row vehicle, and the PHEV version loses that because they needed somewhere to store the batteries it actually drastically improves cargo space.
I found it interesting the side cup holders are still there even though there is no more third row seat. It could come in handy if you’re camping in the trunk I guess?
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 7/10
Size of the screen has increased to 8 inches
Information it supplies is good but wish the graphics looked a bit more modern since electrified vehicles are suppose to be the future.
I love the multi-view camera. I realized this was something missing in another PHEV I tested out last week.
Would prefer if there was a volume knob instead of having it part of the infotainment system to change it volume faster.
Equip w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2020 Mitsubishi outlander phev:
Mitsubshi's Outlander PHEV will continue to be the number 1 selling Plug-in Hybrid SUV this year despite the competition recently jumping into the electrified SUV market because of its appeal as a practical family car at an unbeatable price. In 2020, it is the only plug-in hybrid vehicle in the world with DC Fast charging. In 25 minutes, you can charge the Outlander from 0-80%. It is also the only PHEV with AWD with twin motors at the front and back. You can argue that the Volvo XC60 PHEV also has AWD but the electric motors only power the rear, and gasoline engine powers the front. That vehicle is more FWD feeling.
Mitsubishi raises the bar in environmental performance at an affordable cost for consumers and won 2019 Green SUV of the Year at the LA Auto Show but to stay number 1, Mitsubishi will need to keep innovating and improving the Outlander with major updates as competition is heating up from other mainstream brands. If I was in the market for a family oriented green SUV, the Outlander would be on my list. And if my money was on the line I would lease it!
