New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV design revealed

Mitsubishi has given a more detailed glimpse of the plug-in hybrid version of the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander ahead of its full reveal on October 28.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV – Mitsubishi is moving away from calling it simply the ‘PHEV’ to amplify the electrified message, at least in some markets – looks identical to regular petrol-only versions of the new Outlander that’s due on sale in Australia in November.

The only visual clues to the petrol-electric combination behind the fresh sheet metal and bold chrome-heavy nose are Plug-in Hybrid EV badges on each front door and the tail. And, of course, an additional flap on the passenger side to access the charging port.

Inside the new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV, which arrives Down Under in 2022, there is a digital instrument cluster with some PHEV-specific readouts, including a display showing the remaining battery charge and electric-only range.

The gear selector has a B mode – for brake regeneration – and there’s an EV button to force the car to prioritise its battery over the petrol engine.

There’s also another button that looks like cricket stumps with a ball whizzing around it; no clue as to what that is although it could be to maintain the existing battery charge.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV also looks as though it will retain its all-wheel drive capability, setting it apart from the upcoming Ford Escape PHEV, which drives only the front wheels.

A drive mode selector dial contains the expected Power, Eco and Normal modes, but also has extras for off-road situations such as snow, sand and mud.

Once again, the message with the new Plug-in Hybrid EV appears to centre around it being identical to the conventional version in terms of design, driving and functionality, but with the fuel-saving benefits of being able to drive purely on electric power for short distances.

The Outlander PHEV’s ‘normality’ stretches to the seating layout, which will accommodate up to seven people for the first time (the previous Outlander PHEV had only two rows of seats).

Internationally there will be 10 colours available, although it’s not known if all of them will make it to Australia when the car hits dealerships early in 2022.

Mitsubishi hasn’t detailed the Outlander PHEV’s drivetrain yet, only confirming it will have better performance and a longer EV range than the outgoing Outlander PHEV.

That car is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with two electric motors – a 60kW/137Nm motor at the front and a 70kW/195Nm motor out back.

The new model could change from that set-up – which continues in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV – with some overseas reports suggesting it could employ a version of the 2.5-litre Nissan engine that powers the rest of the 2022 Outlander line-up.

There’s no word on pricing, but as with the model it replaces the new PHEV is expected to command a price premium.

Prices are up for the new Mitsubishi Outlander, which will sell for between $34,490 and $49,990 before on-road costs, which represents increases of around $2000-2500.

Considering the outgoing PHEV sold for between $47,990 and $56,490, our best estimate is the new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV could be priced from around $50K.