Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: the unfinished

Germain Goyer

Tuesday, 30 January 2018 14:59

UPDATE
Tuesday, 30 January 2018 14:59

Look at this article

If you are part of the 196 000 people who have visited the auto Show of Montreal, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the first vehicle that you cross on your journey.

Before we go any further, I can already hear you ask : “… But what does it mean, PHEV ? “In fact, PHEV is an acronym for Plug-In Electric Vehicle. In other words, it is the declination, plug-in hybrid of the good old Outlander that we know since 2013.

Often identifies Mitsubishi as a manufacturer innovates a little. At the same time, it is legitimate. The Launch has remained almost identical for nearly a decade. However, this time, the japanese manufacturer becomes the first to market with an SUV “affordable” plug-in hybrid. Given the place occupied by the SUV in the car park and say that it was time.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

Disappointing battery life

As to clearing the land of SUV plug-in hybrid, Mitsubishi would have had to force it a little more. With a battery life of only 35 kilometres, the competitors will only do a bite to eat in a short time if the interest for this type of vehicle is found.

At Mitsubishi, we give ourselves a pat on the back by pointing out that the autonomy of the Volvo XC60 is 27 kilometers away.

But if Chevrolet is able to offer 85 miles with the Volt, I really hard to believe that Mitsubishi is not able to do better than that with its two electric motors (one front and one rear).

Using the gasoline engine, Mitsubishi announces a combined fuel consumption (road and highway) of 9.2 L/100 km. If compared to the Toyota RAV4 hybrid is much higher. Indeed, in combined mode, it only consumes 7.3 L/100 km.

Plugging the Outlander PHEV into an electrical outlet housing 12 amperes, it will have to wait a total of 8 hours for a full charge. With a 240V, it will take 3.5 hours. And with a quick-charge station, in 25 or 30 minutes, you get 80 % of a full charge.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

The same old four-cylinder engine

Since it is not a vehicle entirely powered by electricity, but a plug-in hybrid, the Outlander PHEV is also driven by a gasoline engine. We find therefore that, under its hood, the block four-cylinder 2.0 L that develops 117 horses and that is used in all the sauces by the manufacturer to the three diamonds. In sum, in this chapter, it remains very conservative.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

The Outlander PHEV looks a lot like the… Outlander

Aesthetically, I wish you good luck to differentiate the Outlander PHEV and its gasoline powered version. In short, if you want to blow up the straps and be applauded in your path as you ride with a green vehicle, you may go unnoticed.

Inside, it’s the same. The layout of the central console is somewhat different history to make room for the lever which is not the same as the Outlander conventional. The dials of the dashboard also differ somewhat, since they do not display the same information. One sees, among other things, the solicitation of the battery rather than the revolution of the petrol engine.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

Almost as roomy as an SUV conventional

The Outlander gasoline can be delivered optional with a third-row seat, which allows it to accommodate up to seven passengers. But not the PHEV, due to the space required to house the batteries. Moreover, the latter can house up to 861 L behind the second seat, which represents a decrease of 107 L compared to the conventional model.

In comparison, the RAV4 hybrid is also less roomy than the RAV4 conventional. Behind the second seat, they can respectively load 1008 and 1087 L.

As the Outlander petrol version, this PHEV can boast of being fitted with system to four-wheel-drive S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) that can also be found on other products of the brand.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

A warranty is unbeatable

The change, it’s scary. I understand you. Nothing provides greater comfort than our old slippers. If you hesitate to kick you in the purchase of a hybrid car or electric, Mitsubishi has a serious argument hidden in his sleeve : his warranty !

In fact, the whole of the vehicles of the brand enjoys a warranty of 10 years/160 000 km on the powertrain. No manufacturer offers anything similar. And in the case of the PHEV, this guarantee also applies to the battery.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

Brief

Mitsubishi bet big with its Outlander PHEV. It is, in some way, its technology showcase. Yet, all that there is to techno, what are the two small electric motors and the battery. All the rest, it is the old Outlander, which has absolutely nothing revolutionary. It is as if it was an iPhone X to my grandfather. All he would have of techno, it is his phone. But there would still be the same old gentleman of 95 years.

If you go through a daily distance greater than 35 miles of range in all-electric mode, the Outlander PHEV loses its interest.

And it is not given, the PHEV. Even if you consider the $ 4,000 subsidy from the government to its purchase, its the base price of 44 817 $ far exceeds that of the Outlander gasoline (30 817 $) and a few thousand dollars that of the RAV4 hybrid (37 074 $).

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018

Germain Goyer

Technical data sheet
Name : Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2018
Base price : 44 817 $
Price of model tested : 49 998 $
Configuration : four-wheel drive Vehicle with engine at the front and electric motor at the front and the back
Mechanical : four-cylinder Engine of 2.0 liters
Power/torque : 117 hp/137 lb-ft
Battery autonomy : 35 km
Transmission : gear Box to a report
Fuel consumption announced : 9.4 L/100 km (city), 9.0 L/100 km (highway)
Fuel consumption in litres equivalent : 3.0 L/100 km (city) 3.4 L/100 km (highway)
Basic warranty : 10 years/160 000 km
Competition : Volvo XC60 suv, Chrysler Pacifica hybrid, MINI Countryman PHEV, Toyota RAV4 hybrid

Rating (out of 10)
Fuel consumption : 7
Equipment : 6
Price : 6
Style : 6
Comfort (front) : 7
Comfort (rear) : 7
Road holding : 7
Performance : 5
Storage space : 7
Overall rating : 6

Forces
Silhouette discreet
Ability to ride without consuming a drop of gasoline
Warranty unbeatable

Weaknesses
Base price too high
Autonomy of the battery insufficient
Petrol engine not very powerful