The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is an affordable three-row crossover that deserves a look from those looking beyond the usual suspects.
Pros Solid base features Upgraded base infotainment system Available all-wheel drive on all levels Advanced safety suite on top trims…
Cons …but it costs way too much Incomplete styling Overmatched powertrains Cramped third row
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander ranked #17 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Mitsubishi Outlander has a score of 7.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 41 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Excellent warranty Good value for a 3-row SUV Respectable fuel economy for a seven-seat SUV
Cons History of subpar reliability Middling seat comfort Base powertrain is slow and unrefined Coarse ride quality
Pros Affordability Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard on most trims Second row bench tilts and slides on both sides Battery Charge driving mode for PHEV AWD available on whole lineup Low step-in height good for kids
Cons Uncomfortable seats Third row too small for adults Firm ride Lack of charging options in rear seats Lots of engine noise in cabin Limited availability of advanced safety features
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a company car tax marvel. Although it’s based on the regular diesel-engined version of the Outlander, this PHEV model is a petrol-electric hybrid, which means ultra-low CO2 emissions and low benefit-in-kind car tax. Essentially it can be driven by either its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine, or its electric motors powered by its batteries alone, or a combination of the two. Those batteries can be charged on the move, or the PHEV can be plugged into the mains. As a result, against conventionally powered rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail, the Outlander will potentially save company car taxpayers thousands of pounds in tax payments over their ownership. Because it can run on pure electric too, many people will be able to charge at home and travel to work and back using no fuel at all.
The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been revised to provide better driveability, better handling, increased fuel efficiency and, with the high-grade Exceed, all the safety kit you need.
Pros Country ride and bump absorption is now excellent Cabin retains a premium, yet value-for-money feel Seamless transition between power modes under all driving conditions
Cons Urban ride can be a little sharp at times Price has crept up, putting it even further away from regular Outlander No seven-seat option is an opportunity missed
The Mitusbishi Outlander PHEV is more than just a flag waver for plug-in hybrid vehicles. It is a marker in the sand for the Japanese car maker. Though the on-road experience may not be thrilling, the Outlander PHEV is very much the equal of other medium SUVs: comfortable to ride in, quieter than most traditional internal combustion competitors, and missing none of the space and flexibility that make SUVs so popular. Day-to-day running powered by electricity and the freedom to venture well beyond city limits on petrol power make the Outlander PHEV a flexible family choice, and the lack of oddball aero styling means there's no chance of being branded a fanatical eco-warrior - all of which makes the Outlander PHEV an enticing, if slightly pricey, prospect.
