Bronwyn Miller•12 Aug 2014
REVIEW
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aspire 2014 Long-term test - 2
The plug-in Outlander continues its tenure in the motoring long-term garageMitsubishi Outlander Aspire PHEV
Long-Term Test (Update)
Our current long-termer, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, has certainly been turning heads in and around the motoring.com.au garage. It’s well styled and well equipped, full of safety features and has a generous warranty to match. Yet, the same question is being asked over and over – will it really save me money on fuel?
After garnering the opinion of the motoring.com.au team, I was curious to check-out the Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (or PHEV) for myself. I was even more curious to see how far I could get on all-electric power.
To prepare, I charged the Outlander PHEV all day to make sure it was full before my run home. When I jumped behind the wheel, the battery indicator read ‘full charge – 52km range’.
I was therefore pretty shocked that only four kilometres down the road, the reading had dropped to just 43km range, leaving me to wonder just what was going on.
Granted, Melbourne’s hideous stop-start traffic did little to help the Outlander PHEV regenerate more power, and with brisk acceleration required to keep pace from the lights, the reading was probably to be expected.
My trip home from motoring HQ is just 21km, 14 of which is freeway driving. No doubt this also played its part in chewing the juice, but as I pulled in the driveway the meter read just 24km remaining. To save you the maths, I’d travelled 21km for the price of 28, with a best ‘average’ fuel consumption reading of 6.7L/100km.
Range and consumption aside, I was very impressed with most elements of the Outlander PHEV. Driving in battery mode it’s eerily quiet, emitting little more than a pleasant hum. Road noise is also virtually unnoticeable, though when the petrol engine kicks in, the need for more revs – especially when recharging – does ruin the ambience.
Tested in Aspire trim variant, the Outlander’s interior proved quite refined and had all the tech equipment I’d expect for the coin. Styled in a combination of matte and piano black finishes, it’s clear the design priorities went well beyond simply creating a hybrid vehicle.
Complemented by leather seat facings, heated front seats and a large electric sunroof, the PHEV certainly encompasses that ‘luxe vibe’ we’re all chasing these days, and if you enjoy a little novelty, the ‘joystick’ style gear-shift and oh-so-cool infotainment screens will swing the balance in your favour.
The driving position feels great with all the primary controls and necessary features right at hand (or foot). The steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control buttons are well positioned, and easy to understand. The audio system features all the expected connection options and was easily connected with my smartphone.
The impressive tech continues with a nifty app that allows the Aspire variant, when connected via Wi-Fi, to set your car to charge during off-peak electricity times – or even set your preferred cabin temperature to pre-warm (or cool) the car before you unplug it from the charger. It’s great for cold Melbourne mornings, and saves more of the car’s range for getting back to work.
But despite all of this I still can’t help feel that the Outlander PHEV’s value equation just doesn’t stack up. Particularly when you factor in the upfront cost of having a 15-amp power outlet installed at your home.
Sure, it’s a lot better than the i-MiEV we had on test a few years back – and it’s more practical for families than Holden’s smaller four-seat Volt plug-in hybrid – but to my mind it hasn’t quite nailed the brief in regard to overall economy.
With this in mind, I think it would be worth considering some of the more economical turbo-diesels in the compact SUV segment such as the Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan or the Mazda CX-5.
The above competitors start from under $40k, they are comparably equipped and, most importantly, they aren’t going to break the bank in regard to running costs.
With so many options available that will likely suit a variety of budgets and intentions, I’m just unconvinced that it in the long-term the PHEV makes a better case for saving dollars – or the environment – than a frugal turbo-diesel.
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire PHEV pricing and specifications:
Price: $52,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol / electric
Output: 87kW/186Nm
Transmission: Reduction gear
Fuel: 1.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 44g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Well equipped | >> Negligible fuel savings |
| >> Quiet electric ride | >> Needs 15-amp power |
| >> Cabin and boot space | >> Noisy petrol engine |
Tags
Mitsubishi
Outlander
Car Reviews
Sedan
Family Cars
Green Cars
Written byBronwyn Miller
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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