New Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV: Full Australian details

Prices for PHEV version of new mid-size SUV to rise by up to $9500, but there’s more EV range, power and space

The new-generation 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV, as the replacement for the Outlander PHEV will be called, will arrive in Australian dealerships on August 15 with a starting price of $54,590 plus on-road costs, and price hikes of between $6600 and $9500 over its predecessor.

However, increases to its pure-electric driving range – from 55km to 84km – along with improved safety and equipment levels plus more interior space may help take the sting out of the price rises.

The four-variant range of PHEV-powered mid-size SUVs, based on the new Mitsubishi Outlander released Down Under in November 2021 and then given price rises in February, opens with the entry-level ES ($54,590) and mid-spec Aspire ($60,990) five-seat variants.

Mid-range Exceed ($65,990) and top-shelf Exceed Tourer ($68,490) grades come as standard in a seven-seat configuration.

Despite the price hikes, the eco-friendly medium SUV will remain one of the most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicles available in Australia, with all four PHEV model grades undercutting the larger single-spec Kia Sorento PHEV ($80,330 plus ORCs).

That said, the new plug-in Outlander doesn’t match the price of Australia’s top-selling hybrid, the Toyota RAV4, which is around the same size but is priced from just $36,900 for the front-drive base-grade GX. But it should be noted that the RAV4 is a plugless hybrid and only has a very short EV range.

But nor does the new Outlander PHEV match the price of the single-spec Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV ($53,440 plus ORCs), or the MG HS Excite PHEV ($46,990 drive-away), although unlike its direct competitors it’s exclusively all-wheel drive.

All Outlander PHEV models are also fitted as standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch central touch-screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, plus dual-zone climate control, digital radio, adaptive cruise control and a comprehensive safety suite including eight airbags and traffic sign recognition, landing it a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Except for the base ES, the new Outlander PHEV range features the same V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality as the award-winning Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 electric vehicles. Its 1500W, 240V three-pin power outlets can charge laptops, run flat-screen TVs, kitchen appliances and camping equipment.

Average fuel consumption is rated at just 1.5L/100km based on the European NEDC standard, which can result in overly generous figures and presumes the battery is routinely charged.

On top of its claimed 84km EV range (also NEDC), Mitsubishi reckons owners will be able to travel close to 1000km on a tank of fuel, which has been increased from 45 to 56 litres.

Powered by an upgraded 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a pair of new electric motors hooked up to a bigger 20kWh battery pack, the new Outlander PHEV is one of the most powerful vehicles offered by the brand, with a combined output of 185kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

The new powertrain “offers a smoother, more responsive and quieter drive, with sharper acceleration,” says Mitsubishi.

On its lonesome, the 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine develops more power, up from 94kW to 98kW, and can act as a generator for the twin e-motors or help drive the front wheels when maximum thrust is required.

The new 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack is 45 per cent larger than the 13.8kWh unit in its predecessor, and feeds a front axle-mounted e-motor worth 85kW (up from 60kW) and a rear-axle e-motor good for 100kW (up from 70kW).

Other upgrades to the powertrain include a new battery cooling system to improve battery performance, a strong differential with a “thicker carrier and stronger shaft and pinion” designed to improve regenerative braking, says Mitsubishi. There are now six brake recuperation levels compared to five previously.

Numerous hybrid modes allow drivers to drive silently in EV mode, recharge the battery most efficiently or have all three motors running in tandem, when the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV delivers all-wheel drive – or super-all wheel control (S-AWC) in Mitsu-speak.

Two charge cables are provided – one that works with standard 240V household powerpoints (mode 2) and another that works with fast 240V AC power (mode 3). Unlike most modern EVs, the Outlander PHEV doesn’t have ultra-fast charging capabilities, but can be charged in as little as 38 minutes via a DC fast-charger.

Charge times:
Mode 2 (240V AC domestic)
0-100% charge: 12 hours

Mode 3 (240AV AC fast with EVSE)
0-100% charge: 6.5 hours

Mode 4 (DC CHAdeMO)
0-80% charge: 38 minutes

Like its predecessor, the new Outlander PHEV also features Mitsubishi’s Dendo Drive House, a bi-directional charging system “capable of recharging and discharging power whenever and wherever it is needed,” according to Mitsubishi.

Using the vehicle’s CHAdeMO charge port, the SUV can even send power back into the grid or power a home or other property.

All private buyers who purchase the Outlander hybrid will be covered by Mitsubishi’s 10-year, 200,000km warranty, 10-year capped price servicing and up to four years of complimentary roadside assist. The battery pack is covered by a shorter eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

Nine exterior colour options are on the table, including one solid colour (White), plus Cosmic Blue, Sterling Silver, Titanium, White Diamond, Red Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Diamond with Deep Bronze two-tone (Exceed Tourer) and White Diamond with Black Mica two-tone (Exceed Tourer).

Mitsubishi’s fourth-generation Outlander has proved popular with Aussie buyers and is currently the third most popular mid-size SUV in Australia behind the top-selling RAV4 and second-placed Mazda CX-5.