Are plug-in hybrid 4WDs good off-road? 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid review: PHEV 4x4 test

[@richardneedles]

GREAT review and comparisons -- I bought my 2023 Outlander PHEV (SEL Premium) 3weeks ago - local dealer had 7 Outlander PHEVs on the lot. I got it for $1,200 UNDER MSRP and the dealer gave me $31,500 for my 2018 Acura TLX -- I paid $18,000 plus tax for the Outlander. I have driven 550 miles -- getting 72 MPGe. I am plugging it in every night for my daily commute and weekend errands. It feels "luxurious" inside -- premium leather, panoramic roof, 360 camera, power folding side mirrors, heated, steering wheel, heated seats, hands-free tailgate, head up display, Bose speakers AND massaging seats! If I take a longer drive, I will have no "range anxiety." Plus, the Outlander has a 10-YEAR WARRANTY. ONE BIG NOTE: the owner's manual clearly states that the 3rd row is ONLY for people under 5' 3." I do not need a 3rd row, so I "tri-fold" it. This opens up a HUGE, DEEP storage well. And, I can stack duffel bag items on the folded 3rd row! The RAV4 Prime may have better overall mpg, but the 18-month wait and $12,000 "dealer adjustment" are outrageous. One local dealer wanted $65k for loaded Prime with MSRP of $52k. I did not consider Kia or Hyundai brands -- "Kia boys" have stolen 3,000 of them in my area (and assaulted drivers in the process). This is a real issue. Lastly, my home solar panels will be installed in 6 weeks along with a Level 2 charger in my garage. The Outlander PHEV is the PERFECT choice for me in 2023. FINAL NOTE: the local dealer now has 14 Outlander PHEVs on the lot and offering $1,250 off MSRP. Availability, luxury, value and price -- a great vehicle to "step into" electrification!

[@Andomaca1]

We own one and love it

[@andrewphillips2520]

Impressive review! Just needs a viable spare tyre arrangement and we're good to go

[@rkaycom]

Tow Ball wheel carrier

[@battle1test832]

This is an asweome car and a very capable softroader, but it is not a 4wd, it lacks critical features that stock 4wd’s need. No low range, no locking differentials, no underbody hardening, low tyre sidewall, lack of suspension travel, poor approach and departure angles, lack of clearance, no spare tyre. It can handle some easy stuff as pictured in this video, but do not buy this to go off-road if that is what you are looking to do. Buy a 4wd instead.

[@davidcarter4247]

Promoted in Australia by Russell Coight, a comedy character noted for is bad advice on outback travel. Like a car with no spare tyre. Like this one.

[@TheMatthewSherwood]

People wildly underestimate what kind of car you can take soft roading, overtaking on highways etc. Ive had a 4cyl kia rio with no power at all and can take it on dirt roads and overtake when i need to. Will scratch on every driveway but who cares

[@Malc664]

As long as there's no deep ruts and holes and steps. Even in sand you may need bigger tyres so the pressures can be dropped. Where do we take it? Snow and ice would suit it. Rare in Australia though.

[@adampoll4977]

I've taken it on sand. Unlike an ICE you don't need to balance what gear you're in to engine revs to avoid the engine bogging down, or just spinning the wheels and digging in. You can just cruise across the the sand with the tyres pushing down the sand and compacting it rather than digging in, the torque from 0 rpms just keeps it moving along with no drama. The big issue would be high-centering on deep ruts cut by cowboys in lifted Rangers who refuse to air down.

[@MEDAFamilyFilms]

What lift can you put on this to give it more clearance? 😊

[@SuperAlmighty]

where is the spare wheel for off road?

[@AlejandroArchila1]

Mitsubishi ❤️

[@carlboo1122]

Why show these cars when you have to wait 18 months for them and the dealer holds your deposit for 18 months with no fixed price when you put your deposit down for the car

[@TheChindoboi]

Can you take it off road when the battery has run out?

[@BBCNINE]

Yeah. The battery never really runs out. When there's 20% left the engine fires up and runs a generator that keeps topping the battery up. The driver won't feel any difference and the motors still do all the work.

[@kentaylor2950]

Just bring a really long extension cable

[@adampoll4977]

@@kentaylor2950 Gee Ken, you're a bit late with that useless but predictable comment. You don't understand much about hybrids, do you?

[@Pdougie2]

It's NOT 4710 mm high!

[@PortlyHunter]

Fake video, Outlander wheels glitch at 4:07 😂

[@ellgee9402]

is it just me or does the outlander looks like a frenchman

[@ericzxl]

This car doesn't have a spare tire. I won't take it off-road.

[@jackfieldsjack1061]

Put it on roof rails😅😅😅

[@ron_zrl]

Nice review thanks Tom, got one on order cant' wait!

[@adampoll4977]

I had high expectations when I ordered mine. Now I have it, it blew them out of the water. You won't regret it.

[@brandonberkmortel9558]

@@adampoll4977 same, have had mine just over a week now.

[@stevenalexander403]

​@@brandonberkmortel9558 congratulations, I'm considering one too

[@stevenalexander403]

​@@adampoll4977 congratulations, I'm considering one too.

[@safalpandey5325]

Outlander or xtrail

[@abdalkaderalajloni2560]

its so bad that 2021 PHEV have no remote control for app use

[@mjpt57]

John Cadogen and Mitsubishi took some of these to the real outback. And each vehicle carried two spares. They are certainly capable and in electric mode they demonstrate how well they can traverse rough ground. But there's no way that I would go off-road in one, not with no spare. They are, however, excellent cars doing what they're designed to do - urban/suburban driving.

[@Filo_Guy]

$15k for a PHEV model compared to a regular model is not appealing. It will take years to recoup the cost

[@adampoll4977]

It's not about just saving money. It drives like a pure EV (instant torque, one pedal driving, regen etc) and is far more powerful than the ICE. Also, you can get a combined range of about 800km on a single 56 litre tank of fuel and a full charge - great for touring. Also, I just plug-in everyday at home, charge for free from rooftop solar, and only need to visit a servo when going for a long trip. Also have 240v power with me wherever I go (I have an espresso machine in my car now ;) and could run most electrics in the house bar the oven for about a week on one tank of fuel if there's an extended outage. I call that the most practical vehicle money can buy.

[@maverick_akl1824]

That $15K is for 185kW and 450nM of torque. Totally different power delivery. By your logic, how many years to recoup the cost between a regular Tiguan vs a Tiguan R?

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

@@adampoll4977 Unless you have a home storage battery you wont be charging overnight though.

[@adampoll4977]

@@maverick_akl1824 You also get the equivalent of 2 Tesla Powerwalls in the bargain.

[@bikesandbits1000]

Keep in mind if you can get a Novated lease, you will save Thousands due to the Australian Government FBT exemption on PHEV and Electric vehicles. Quotes I have done have it costing cheaper (by a long way) than a car $15k less the price of the Outlander PHEV over a 3 year period.