This new and improved Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets a smarter look, a nicer interior, a better battery and an improved engine for 2020. It'll cover around 28 miles on a full electric charge, which means the daily commute for many Motability drivers will cost less than a pound. It's also a real SUV with proper 4-wheel drive, plus the combination of its high seating position, low running costs, impressive towing power, 5 star NCAP safety rating and 463 litres of boot space make the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a popular choice with Motability customers here in the UK.
Due to limited availability of Mitsubishi new car stock at the moment Advance Payment and availability details can be obtained from your local Mitsubishi dealer.
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Prior to the launch of the Outlander PHEV in 2013, Mitsubishi wasn't really a car maker that you looked to for leadership in exploiting profitable market niches. The Japanese company was instead merely a purveyor of solid, well-priced and reliable cars that were rarely exceptional in any key regard. But the Outlander PHEV changed all of that, bringing Plug-in hybrid technology to drivers at a time when rivals still had designs barely on the drawing board. As a result, this petrol/electric SUV has been Europe's best selling Plug-in hybrid since 2015.
Now though, is when it gets difficult. Competitors have got their acts together, the government in the UK no longer offers a Plug-in Car Grant contribution towards purchase and this Mitsubishi is facing ever-tougher competition in the SUV D-segment family sector where this car competes. Hence the far-reaching changes made to this model in 2018 and the added value introduced to the range more recently.
In 2018, Mitsubishi made far-reaching changes to this PHEV model's drivetrain. A 2.4 Atkinson cycle petrol engine with 135PS replaced the previous regular Otto cycle 2.0 litre unit. It allows for higher torque, smoother operation, and overall higher efficiency. As part of this, the generator output is increased by 10%, the rear motor output is increased by 10%, the drive battery capacity is increased by 15% and the drive battery output is increased by 10%. All significant increases. There are more driving settings too, for the 4WD system. The NORMAL and 4WD LOCK modes of previous models are joined by two additional options. A SPORT mode gives the driver more direct control. A SNOW mode provides greater confidence on snow-covered, or slippery surfaces.
Otherwise, things are much as before. Drive in full electric mode and you'll feel the huge torque of the motors and be able to cruise at motorway speeds on electric power alone, although not for too far. Refinement is very good, even without the sound of an engine to drown out wind and tyre noise. There's a very handy feature included where you can request the battery holds a particular level of charge and you can also use the petrol engine as a generator, to drive battery power back up to 70 per cent of its capacity. There's also a sophisticated five-level regenerative braking system that the driver can select using the wheel-mounted paddles or what you'd otherwise take to be the gear lever.
This improved Outlander PHEV gets a number of subtle visual exterior improvements, such as smarter LED 'tech-look' headlamps, rectangular front fog lamp bezels, a more substantial front grille and a front centre cover skid plate. A more elaborate multi-spoke two-tone design for the 18 inch alloy wheels and the addition of a larger rear spoiler aim to give the car a sharper and more sophisticated look.
Inside, the changes made try to create more of the kind of quality feeling you'd get in a German rival, highlighted by the quilted fine leather upholstery, redesigned hip-hugging front seats, smarter switchgear, a restyled instrument panel, classier trimming and rear air conditioning outlets on certain models.
Moving back into the second row, there's reasonable space for two adults - or three at a squash, though taller folk may feel the need to recline back the adjustable backrests. There's no seven seat version offered, which probably won't come as a surprise, given the need to accommodate the electric motor. Still, the 463-litre boot is still more than adequate for most requirements and the luggage bay is well shaped.
Motability customers currently get a choice of two trim levels - 'Verve' and 'Design'. Even the entry-level 'Verve' variant includes quite a few luxury features - things like heated cloth front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless operation, rear parking sensors, a rear spoiler, cruise control and a programmable climate control system which can warm or cool the car in advance of a journey. 'Design' trim adds 18 inch alloy wheels, plus Mitsubishi's eight-inch Smartphone Line Display Audio (SDA) system with smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
This plug-in hybrid can drive up to 28 miles (WLTP) on a full electric charge and can be fast charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. This means that for some drivers, they'll be able to pop the car on charge in the evening, do the commute and bring it home without using any petrol at all.
A recent survey of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV customers revealed that half their average weekly mileage is driven in electric mode, with 68% charging at least once per day and 90% charging the vehicle several times (2-3 times or more) per week.
The WLTP test-rated combined fuel consumption figure is 139mpg.
As long as you get on with the styling and don't have a pressing need to seat seven people, we've got nothing but good things to say about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It's one of those rare vehicles that is massively better than you expect it to be. The calibration of the hybrid powertrain, the options it gives its driver and the sheer depth of engineering that's apparent in the way it's been built all point to a car that deserves all the acclaim it's now getting. Being first to market improves the chances of success - and so it's proved. This SUV deserves its success.
People with a disability and carers who choose a new Mitsubishi Outlander through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local Mitsubishi dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.
