2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Was It Worth The Wait? | TestDriveNow

Mitsubishi likely isn’t the first company that comes to mind when you think of electrified vehicles. But don’t forget; they pioneered an all-electric car long before they were fashionable. And now, they’ve added a plug to their biggest SUV. This is the all-new Outlander PHEV.
MSRP as-tested: $42,195
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[@PaulHock]

I traded my 2016 Outlander in on a 2018 and so far love it. It's my third Outlander and first hybrid. Another thing that I feel will happen is lower brake maintenance as I use the engine braking quite often.

[@Defiantsynthetics]

If you buy used: 1.Change the generator fluid (it's cvt j4 fluid but this vehicle does not have a cvt) 2. Change the front and rear differential fluid (SP-3 transmission fluid) 3.Change the oil every 3k (I don't care what the book says, do it every 3k with full synthetic) 4.Have a qualified mechanic check your ground wires for corrosion. I'm a ASE master tech that has 2 outlanders, these are my suggestions.

[@stevehammes]

Excellent info. Thanks for sharing.

[@BWT599]

Just picked up the 2019 PHEV and it's awesome. I drove the Tesla Model S 90D a lot for a sick family member and in pure EV it is as close to a Tesla for what it is (80% of the same feeling, of course slower off the start line, but still zippy). The 1500 w plugs, one in the back trunk and one in the middle console facing the rear seats is so incredible. You can cook outside on an induction plate or even an instant pot or Ninja Foodie which is a pressure cooker and air fryer. If I get a freeze dryer I could have a ton of food on hand for long road trips with my kids. I installed a Chargepoint level 2 charger at home and it's a lot faster than I thought it would be. Level 2 charging with a Tesla Model S takes forever so I got used to those experiences. Luckily there are several free Level 3 chargers near my in laws so they give me an excuse to duck out and get some EV:)

[@Trades46]

Incredibly this is still the best selling SUV with a plug that is available anywhere in the world. In an era where everyone and their mother wants to buy an SUV & electrification all the rage, it is surprising to see Mitsubishi of all companies to be the only one in its class since 2013 to offer a Plug-in hybrid SUV. Sure Toyota has the Rav4 hybrid but it cannot charge from the mains, and why the heck did Chevrolet not implement the Voltec powertrain into the Equinox yet is baffling to say the least.

[@K03sport]

guess that explains why GM is canx'ing the Volt...maybe they do have plans to convert the Equinox into a PHEV to capture more CUV sales while abandoning the car market.

[@Trades46]

@@K03sport that's what I'm reckoning GM will do as well - the Voltec system is too good to just disappear this quickly.

[@BTC909]

GM should have went with the MPV5 concept.

[@stephanburgess654]

It's a dam good car no matter what this guy says.

[@agilenjeyamraj1739]

I bought a used one 4 months ago, I have to say this is the perfect vehicle, I did 7,6L/100km on 1800kms of highway! That's crazy good for a 4000lbs SUV! Also I could drive more than 3000kms city only by charging everywhere, home, work, shopping mall! It's nice!

[@76carmel]

Also, I found it funny to see design flaws there, especially the cup holders in the “3rd row”.

[@darwiniandude]

I like this, can store extra water bottles upright in the back where they can’t fall over. I’d rather that then just have a blanking plate there, although it is odd.

[@adityakrishnamd2314]

Mitsubishi as a company has seen better days. I wish they will regain there popular image in this day an age of pure EVs. Because the world really wants some good pure EVs with affordable prices and superb range!

[@darwiniandude]

Most of the cost is the battery. You can’t build an EV SUV with Tesla range for the Outlander’s price. Yet.

[@davidg4026]

Mitsubishi charges you $285 to advertise their PHEV??!! That is ballsy Mitsubishi... And insulting at the same time! The only way I can see them getting away with this is if the buyer wasn't paying attention to the options list at the time of purchase.

[@K03sport]

agreed. and I'm sure it is one of those boxes that is checked by default that has to be unchecked to have them removed by the dealer mx dept. I'm pretty sure most demos on the lot will have the stickers already applied, so it is already on the sticker.

[@stephanburgess654]

David G still better than anything made in America.

[@DzasterNL]

IM off to the dealer tomorrow so i can hopefully make a good deal.. I found a instyle + with all options i feel i need. I'm driving a Audi q5 now, worst car ever... Looking forward to the hated outlander, I read people that actually drove them are happy with it. It's not special but is does what it has to do, bring you from point A to point B. I drove one last week and it felt good, quit, fast enough and relaxing. Alot of space and for me driving 12km's a day very economic! Dont care about the higher fuel consumption when driving bigger distances once a month... Also the accessories on this car compared to other manufacturers are a huge selling point to me. I work outside all day, when I'm cold I want the steering wheel and the chair to be heated.. Pre cool when I get in in the summer with the app. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it!

[@Salesmanwithasleeve]

I find it funny that you can bash on a PHEV that is $33,000 less than any true competitor. You complained about the fit and finish of spending 40K.. Ok- I guess you'll be spending that 77000 to get the "nicer interior" with less features, options, and warranty. With 17 percent sales growth in the US from 2016-2017 and currently this year beating out 2017, that makes a 6 years of consecutive growth. They are moving very fast to gain market share. It's the #1 selling plug in electric hybrid SUV in the world. I think you need to catch that point across.

[@Salesmanwithasleeve]

@Marko Novak interesting... because in Canada, we have sold over 5000 last year and there is 1 pre owned one Nationally in the market on auto trader .. but go on.

[@damnhockey]

Steve, your honest reviews are the best in the business. the cup holders in the invisible 3rd row is a laugh. So much for attention to detail. No wonder this company has lousy sales

[@stevehammes]

Thanks, Mike!

[@hjeffwallace]

We always have an extra cup of water rolling around in the car. I would use another.

[@revmotor]

Rick James is the master of the white stuff.

[@salocin911]

Stopped by my dealer and they say they are trying to trim down the 2018 PHEV stocks that the 2019 will be available starting in late march 2019. Anyone heard otherwise? Maybe a smoking deal on leftover 2018's?

[@voodooutt]

I was poking around a few SoCal dealerships asking the same questions. They did not give me much. The dealerships I went to had new stock numbers between 8 and 13 of the PHEVs in both SEL and GT trims. I was also told the dealerships will be getting the new 2019 PHEVs in January.

[@steveoiwa7759]

They have a crossovers on model PHEV I am looking for small suv. But have to be hybrid

[@russelldawkins3408]

Informative review and intelligent comments. Thanks to all.

[@justincui]

So the 2020 redesign will be the 1st mitsubishi designed by Nissan?

[@siperaka]

No. the Nissan takes a sasi for Navara from L200

[@johnny_w]

Hello friends, does anybody know some specifications about the new redesigned model 2020 ??? Is it worth the waiting till next year ? Thanking beforhand for info !

[@johnrice8786]

I hired one for a two week trip in NZ.Big mistake ,after four days I found that it is just a heap of junk.

[@twisterwiper]

John Rice What was wrong with it?

[@charlesemery2780]

Hahahaha good to know

[@dealerslinkinc.7048]

Used ones on MotorCloud.com www.motorcloud.com/cars/used/Mitsubishi/Outlander+PHEV

[@ahbushnell1]

Can you preheat the car off the battery charger?

[@Petey17564]

Andy Bushnell yes you can. You can heat and cool vehicle while plugged in and control via cell phone app or set schedule for when and how long you want to cool or heat the vehicle. All while using the grid. Or can earn or cool vehicle in battery charge mode if not plugged in.

[@ahbushnell1]

@@Petey17564 thx

[@K03sport]

how does the gas engine behave when the temps drop? I can see someone getting to the freeway on battery power (gas engine not used since leaving the house), then as they enter the entrance ramp, floor the go-pedal and trigger the gas engine (that is "ice" cold and not up to operating temp) and forcing said gas engine to rev [high] and it no where near/close to operating temperature...is there some feature that kicks on the gas engine to warm it up when temps drop below a certain temperature, say 40*F so it cause itself 'harm' as owners drive hard and forget the engine is not warmed up???

[@Trades46]

In really cold temperatures turning on the car would usually fire up the engine for its "warmup cycle". The engine speed won't increase with throttle but it does keep the battery state of charge. It would then shut off after engine temperatures are warm enough for EV operation unless you ask for more power or engage save charge mode. Most PHEV are similar - the Volt has an "ERDTT" mode for the same reason.

[@darwiniandude]

Canadian KZbinr the less frequented world has posted numerous sub zero outlander phev video range tests etc, the system works very well it seems.

[@larrythomas4614]

Does anyone know when the 2019 Outlander PHEV will be available in the US?

[@stevehammes]

Probably late next year.

[@larrythomas4614]

Really? Late 2019? So is it worth buying a 2018 ?

[@stevehammes]

@@larrythomas4614 Let me clarify - the next gen Outlander is due sometime next year and that's the one that'll adopt the new PHEV mechanicals. Probably a 2020.

[@larrythomas4614]

Thanks for the update. I'm just confused. The 2019's with the updated engine, etc are available in Europe and Canada right now, so why not the US?

[@stevehammes]

@@larrythomas4614 This PHEV was severely delayed due to US regulatory issues and battery constraints. Mistu has decided not to offer the 2019 MY overseas updates in the States until the next complete redesign.

[@filipinofear13]

Does the battery take your gasoline? Im so confused how these things works

[@hjeffwallace]

Hybrids began in the early ‘70’s as a way to store wasted braking energy. If you stick an electric motor in the drivetrain, when you let off the gas, the motor becomes a generator, pushing electrons into batteries. That is stored for use in acceleration. The electric motor replaces a lot of stuff: Alternator Starter Torque converter Transmission. I have 3 Prius’ with over 200,000 miles on the original brake pads and batteries. The pads don’t engage except for low speeds or hard braking. What plug-in hybrids add is a bigger battery and all-electric range. Most people only drive less than 30 miles per day. So most days, no fuel is used. My Chevy volt burns fuel about twice per year. 3 years between oil changes.

[@TMS5100]

Answer: No, it wasn't.

[@gwood701]

Nah . I'll check back in 5 years

[@76carmel]

Thanks, Nissan for the resurrection of Mitsubishi Motors. Unfortunately , their CEO is currently under legal limbo.

[@Petey17564]

Billy Sou Nissan has nothing to do with the designing of the Outlander PHEV or Their new ECLIPSE CROSS. Not sure exactly what Nissan has done as of this moment.

[@Petey17564]

Billy Sou Nissan has nothing to do with the designing of the Outlander PHEV or Their new ECLIPSE CROSS. Not sure exactly what Nissan has done as of this moment.

[@Petey17564]

Billy Sou Nissan has nothing to do with the designing of the Outlander PHEV or Their new ECLIPSE CROSS. Not sure exactly what Nissan has done as of this moment.

[@wolfzzz1999]

Do not hire non japanese ceo

[@miguelircontar]

The competition much better

[@bmx7596]

What PHEV SUV competition at 40k and this size?

[@jamesburrough8142]

What competition? This isnt any comparable right now.

[@hemenkareamg6957]

Exactly toyota Highlander Hybrid is only 5 grand more expensive but way way way better

[@Petey17564]

Miguel Ircontar The Highlander is not a plug in hybrid. So no competition

[@Salesmanwithasleeve]

@@hemenkareamg6957no... its a hybrid, and the fuel economy is not 74mpg

[@foam27]

yuck.

[@edwardbyard6540]

Doubt it. Damn PHEVs keep hogging rapid chargers. Sooner they are banned, the better.

[@odinterimon]

Don't hold your breath waiting for Phevs to be banned, tuff luck about the chargers,first come first served.

[@MrMsanders123]

I love the new steering wheel. It looks much better than previous Mitsubishi steering wheels

[@stephanburgess654]

It's not Mitsubishi's biggest SUV. America only goes as big as this model while the rest of the world has two other bigger models.

[@stevehammes]

stephan burgess While I certainly appreciate my international audience I produce these reviews primarily with the American car shopper in mind. But thanks for the info.

[@JB1978]

Unfortunately, not everything is so great in this car... There is a big issue with the battery management unit which degrades the battery capacity in an unrealistic manner. @t

[@hemenkareamg6957]

They did a very stupid idea I am an Uber driver so I waited for this car and went to the dealership to buy it I was happy that I'm going to have a 7-seat hybrid SUV but I found out that they remove the 3rd row seat to put bigger batteries. They suffered the third row seat just to take 20 miles range on Electric!

[@bigjml]

The PHEV has never, ever had a 3rd row of seats. They didn't remove them, they have never been there.

[@hemenkareamg6957]

None hybrid Out lander has 3rd row seats in the USA

[@bigjml]

Hemen Kareamg Yes I know that If you read my comment correctly I said the PHEV has never had 7 seats, ever. The PHEV has been on the UK market for 5 years now and never came with 7 seats.

[@hemenkareamg6957]

So what are you talking about I say I didn't buy the gasoline version one And waited to get the hybrid model. So I expected hybrid to be exactly like the gas model like what toyota on Highlander did. And if you read my comment you will stop talking shit at the beginning!

[@bigjml]

@@hemenkareamg6957 You have some issues. You wanted to buy a vehicle that has never existed. A 7 seat Outlander PHEV. A few seconds online would have shown you that there has never beena 7 seater Outlander PHEV. Mitsubishi didn't remove the rear seats to fit a larger battery to the PHEV. They redesigned the Outlander platform to create the PHEV version.