Comparison - Subaru Outback Wilderness 2022 - vs - Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed S 2021

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV finishes near the bottom of our hybrid and electric SUV rankings. It’s outdated and less comfortable than rivals, and in a real “you had one job” scenario, its fuel economy ratings aren’t even that impressive.

Pros
Decent cargo capacity
Excellent warranty

Cons
Looks and feels antiquated in almost every aspect
Low-rent interior
Below-average fuel economy ratings compared to other PHEVs
Disappointing powertrain, handling, and ride quality

Mitsubishi has already revealed the next-generation Outlander, but it has still introduced several significant changes to the outgoing one for the 2021 model year. Most notably, the Outlander lineup is now only available with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Gone are the base four-cylinder engine and available V-6. A third row of seats is also gone because it's not compatible with the location of the PHEV's battery pack. The latter now has a larger capacity than before and offers more all-electric driving range (24 miles versus 22), and the PHEV's top speed increases from 79 to 83 mph during all-electric operation. The plug-in's old 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is replaced with a more powerful 2.4-liter version. And now with a bigger rear-mounted electric motor, the PHEV's combined horsepower increases by 31 to 221 horses total.

Pros
Plug-in-hybrid powertrain feels responsive,
adjustable regenerative-braking settings,
substantial cargo space.

Cons
No longer offers a third row,
considerably more expensive than before,
other plug-in hybrids are much more efficient.