Mitsubishi Outlander 2021 review: PHEV

The Mitsubishi Outlander now arrives in three, slightly more expensive trim models - the entry-level ES at $47,990 (+$600), the new mid-tier GSR at $52,490, and the most-expensive Exceed at $56,490 (+$100).

Kicking off with the ES, you get 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, a rear spoiler, keyless entry and halogen fog lamps, while inside you'll find push-button start, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, black cloth trim on the seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Stepping up to the new GSR model adds a new 18-inch alloy design, a black roof spoiler and roof rails, nicer interior elements, an eight-speaker premium sound system and - crucially - the addition of Bilstein suspension for the very first time.

The GSR model adds a new 18-inch alloy design.

Finally, the Exceed model adds a sunroof, LED headlights, standard navigation, leather seats and and chrome design elements outside.

It feels bloody big, the Outlander PHEV, and like it could easily carry seven seats. It doesn't, of course, but all that room is a boon for passengers you've got, as well as any cargo you need to carry.

The Outlander PHEV stretches 4695mm in length, 1800mm in width and 1710mm in height,  and delivers a total 498 litres of luggage room across its two-level boot.

Boot space is rated at 498 litres.

Up front riders are welcome into a bright and spacious cabin space, complete with a ton of storage, USB charge points and power outlets, and a brace of cupholders and bottle holders.

In the rear, you'll find a pretty cavernous space, too. I'm 175cm tall and was able to ride behind my own driving position with absolute ease. There are also ISOFIX attachment points in each of the window seats, as well as individual air vents and charging points.

No news here, folks, with the 2021 model carrying over the same drivetrain as the 2020 model, which itself received a fairly major update.

But that's no bad thing, as it means this model combines the same 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (94kW at 4500rpm and 199Nm at 4500rpm) - which works in tandem with twin electric motors, (60kW/137Nm front, 70kW/195Nm rear), delivering maximum outputs of 157kW and 332Nm, while the 13.8kWh battery enables an emissions-free driving range around 54km.

The 13.8kWh battery enables an emissions-free driving range around 54km.

The PHEV gets a single-speed automatic gearbox.

The big news, at least with the GSR, is the addition of Bilstein premium suspension - it's the only model that gets it - designed to add a sportier edge to the Outlander's on-road characteristics.

It all depends how you drive it. Keep the batteries charged, and your effective fuel use rate can be zero, with the Outlander PHEV able to travel up to 54km/h - and at speeds of up to 135km/h - between charges, thanks to its 13.8 kWh on-board battery.

When petrol kicks in, though, then you will return a claimed/combined figure of 1.9L/100km, though that calculation is based on a combo of electric and petrol-powered driving, and you can expect the figure to be much higher should you run out of charge and use the traditional engine exclusively.  

Charging from home will take around seven hours.

Plug in at home, and you'll take around seven hours to recharge, though that number can drop to as low as 25 mins (to 80 per cent capacity) using an appropriate fast charger.

There are three drive modes – Pure EV, Series Hybrid and Parallel Hybrid.

Even the entry-level Outlander gets autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic highbeams, and hill-start assist.

Step up to the GSR and you'll add blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert and front parking sensors, while the top-spec Exceed will add a surround-view monitor.

The advanced gear joins six airbags and the usual suite of braking and traction aids. The Outlander was awarded a full five-star ANCAP safety rating when tested in 2014.