2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug In Hybrid Review and Road Test - In 4K
video description
Date: 2019-05-30
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Rob Sillygoose
I have had one of these for over 4 years and in excess of 100, 000 miles since new. Its been fully reliable and everything works today. Main issues with these (all well known to dealers) are brake calipers seizing up and needing replacing, rear electric motor mount can get damaged causing an easily spotted transmission shunt thump at stepaway. Vertical windshield get chipped easily, I am on my 3rd, paint is not tough, my front hood edge looks like its been hit with a shotgun. Also my seat has lost support and gives me lumbar backache. Ride is not as good as it should be but OK. Mine is being sold soon. Good points? well there is a myth that due to the short range on battery the car is pointless, not so, sure running on gas only can give poor figures but even if ONLY a PROPORTION of the journey is done on battery then the AVERAGE MPG for the trip can be raised to a very respectable figure. I rarely average less than 40mpg even on 100 mile+ drives. I should add the car suits a relaxed driving style, using the regen. paddles to slow in time to avoid having to stop so you can just pick up speed gently as it clears ahead. We get a lot of frosty mornings in the UK and I have not had to wait to defrost or scrape a windshield for 4. 5 years. Using the remote phone app to activate the cars electric heating for 20 minutes in advance I just go out to a warm, fully de-iced car, no jacket needed even. It depends on tires but even on standard I found it usable in snow, the electronic systems working hard to keep the car running straight, its a very heavy car, you dont want it getting frisky or its going to bite youBiggest surprise is in the US you getting the old 2. 0L version, in Europe we have a new 2. 4L engine PHEV MY2019 which makes more power both to the generator and in direct drive whilst giving better economy, a slightly bigger battery, upgraded motors for quicker stepaway.
reply
I have had one of these for over 4 years and in excess of 100, 000 miles since new. Its been fully reliable and everything works today. Main issues with these (all well known to dealers) are brake calipers seizing up and needing replacing, rear electric motor mount can get damaged causing an easily spotted transmission shunt thump at stepaway. Vertical windshield get chipped easily, I am on my 3rd, paint is not tough, my front hood edge looks like its been hit with a shotgun. Also my seat has lost support and gives me lumbar backache. Ride is not as good as it should be but OK. Mine is being sold soon. Good points? well there is a myth that due to the short range on battery the car is pointless, not so, sure running on gas only can give poor figures but even if ONLY a PROPORTION of the journey is done on battery then the AVERAGE MPG for the trip can be raised to a very respectable figure. I rarely average less than 40mpg even on 100 mile+ drives. I should add the car suits a relaxed driving style, using the regen. paddles to slow in time to avoid having to stop so you can just pick up speed gently as it clears ahead. We get a lot of frosty mornings in the UK and I have not had to wait to defrost or scrape a windshield for 4. 5 years. Using the remote phone app to activate the cars electric heating for 20 minutes in advance I just go out to a warm, fully de-iced car, no jacket needed even. It depends on tires but even on standard I found it usable in snow, the electronic systems working hard to keep the car running straight, its a very heavy car, you dont want it getting frisky or its going to bite youBiggest surprise is in the US you getting the old 2. 0L version, in Europe we have a new 2. 4L engine PHEV MY2019 which makes more power both to the generator and in direct drive whilst giving better economy, a slightly bigger battery, upgraded motors for quicker stepaway.
reply
Chris Wentz
Ive had an Outlander PHEV 2018 for three months and can fill in a few areas. Accurate review overall. If youre considering this vehicle because of its electric mode, the distance of regular trips is what will make it economical, or greener, for you. -With an average commute of 35 miles and some 150 mile weekend trips, I have averaged 77. 4 MPG. Since I can charge at work, I typically use 1/2 gallon to go 70 miles round trip. -Seems to operate reliably in EV mode up to 75mph+ without needing gas engine. -Heater use on cold days will reduce range from 22-26miles, to 12-16 miles ev range. -Heavy heater use will trigger gas engine to help produce heat on days below 45. -Apple CarPlay integration is very nice, good screen. -Battery pack does have a heating system for protecting it in cold weather. -Phone app operates via WiFi connection, so it wont do long-range unlocking/remote starting like Onstar can. -Bump-handling could be better, and I have a feeling nice Michelin tires would help the suspension. -You can program cabin heating, cooling, and charging schedules with the app. -The DC fast charge port is great for being able to use EV mode more. -Essentially, every time you charge the battery you are getting a gallon of gas range for 0-1. 50 depending on if its a free charge or youre paying for electrons. -After using it in several heavy snow-storms in Colorado, it is stable and has a great 4wd system. Even with factory tires. I love having the efficiency of a hybrid with full time AWD. Basically I bought this car to use less gas and have one car that I can go skiing and to trailheads with, and feel safe in winter. Its doing all those things well. The Chevy Bolt is one of the only cars that can do 100% performance in EV mode. Until Tesla comes out with a 300 mile range compact SUV with all wheel drive for 40k, this is a good option.
reply
Ive had an Outlander PHEV 2018 for three months and can fill in a few areas. Accurate review overall. If youre considering this vehicle because of its electric mode, the distance of regular trips is what will make it economical, or greener, for you. -With an average commute of 35 miles and some 150 mile weekend trips, I have averaged 77. 4 MPG. Since I can charge at work, I typically use 1/2 gallon to go 70 miles round trip. -Seems to operate reliably in EV mode up to 75mph+ without needing gas engine. -Heater use on cold days will reduce range from 22-26miles, to 12-16 miles ev range. -Heavy heater use will trigger gas engine to help produce heat on days below 45. -Apple CarPlay integration is very nice, good screen. -Battery pack does have a heating system for protecting it in cold weather. -Phone app operates via WiFi connection, so it wont do long-range unlocking/remote starting like Onstar can. -Bump-handling could be better, and I have a feeling nice Michelin tires would help the suspension. -You can program cabin heating, cooling, and charging schedules with the app. -The DC fast charge port is great for being able to use EV mode more. -Essentially, every time you charge the battery you are getting a gallon of gas range for 0-1. 50 depending on if its a free charge or youre paying for electrons. -After using it in several heavy snow-storms in Colorado, it is stable and has a great 4wd system. Even with factory tires. I love having the efficiency of a hybrid with full time AWD. Basically I bought this car to use less gas and have one car that I can go skiing and to trailheads with, and feel safe in winter. Its doing all those things well. The Chevy Bolt is one of the only cars that can do 100% performance in EV mode. Until Tesla comes out with a 300 mile range compact SUV with all wheel drive for 40k, this is a good option.
reply
friedputty
Alexs videos are always excellent, and I especially appreciate this ones descriptions of how the drivetrain works. However, he made a couple of choices in the video that may leave viewers with a mistaken impression of the car. First, fuel economy. At one point in the video he states were getting 26 mpg, which is possible. but only if we are rarely or never plugging in the car, which defeats the point of a plug-in car. (Presumably a snowmobile operated on desert sand would not perform as expected either) He then calculates annual fuel cost assuming that the average driver drives a 48 mile round trip every day without a recharge in the middle, concluding that operating cost versus a conventional hybrid is a wash---but this is misleading. Per AAA, the average American drives 29 miles per day, split into two trips. meaning that most or all of the average Americans daily driving could be competed within the Mitsubishis electric range, thus using little or no gasoline at all. Second, because the Outlander PHEV can operate as a pure EV for 22 miles at a stretch, it is a uniquely pleasant and relaxing way to get around town---wafting in silence from stoplight to stoplight on a wave of instant electric torque. This quick-and-quiet nature in daily driving is one of the most endearing features of the car, and Alex oddly omitted it from the review---citing instead its lackluster 0-60 time and highway road noise level. The fundamental problem, I think, is that Alex is trying to shoehorn a PHEV into a hybrid box for comparisons sake. But a strong PHEV, like this one or a Chevrolet Volt, isnt just another hybrid. Its training wheels for an all-electric future. It fits a specific use case, and it appeals to a specific kind of buyer.
reply
Alexs videos are always excellent, and I especially appreciate this ones descriptions of how the drivetrain works. However, he made a couple of choices in the video that may leave viewers with a mistaken impression of the car. First, fuel economy. At one point in the video he states were getting 26 mpg, which is possible. but only if we are rarely or never plugging in the car, which defeats the point of a plug-in car. (Presumably a snowmobile operated on desert sand would not perform as expected either) He then calculates annual fuel cost assuming that the average driver drives a 48 mile round trip every day without a recharge in the middle, concluding that operating cost versus a conventional hybrid is a wash---but this is misleading. Per AAA, the average American drives 29 miles per day, split into two trips. meaning that most or all of the average Americans daily driving could be competed within the Mitsubishis electric range, thus using little or no gasoline at all. Second, because the Outlander PHEV can operate as a pure EV for 22 miles at a stretch, it is a uniquely pleasant and relaxing way to get around town---wafting in silence from stoplight to stoplight on a wave of instant electric torque. This quick-and-quiet nature in daily driving is one of the most endearing features of the car, and Alex oddly omitted it from the review---citing instead its lackluster 0-60 time and highway road noise level. The fundamental problem, I think, is that Alex is trying to shoehorn a PHEV into a hybrid box for comparisons sake. But a strong PHEV, like this one or a Chevrolet Volt, isnt just another hybrid. Its training wheels for an all-electric future. It fits a specific use case, and it appeals to a specific kind of buyer.
reply
friedputty
The cars standard ChaDeMo port opens up a unique marketing opportunity. Mitsubishi should install DC fast chargers at dealers -- the usual swipe-your-card-to-charge type units -- and leverage them as follows: 1. Anyone who buys or leases an Outlander PHEV would get a card for 36 months of free fast charges at Mitsubishi dealers. This would be an additional selling point, and would help overcome any reservations about the cars electric range and gasoline MPG. 2. The chargers would be listed on Plugshare -- with a note to register at the dealer to get a card good for three free fast charges. This would a) bring a whole new group of EV-owning, EV-enthusiastic potential buyers to Mitsubishi dealers, where they could ooh and aah over the dealers Outlander PHEV demo car strategically parked next to the charger, and b) registering for the card would put this horde of potential buyers on an opt-out Mitsubishi EV/PHEV mailing list. 3. For all others, the chargers would be usable for a reasonable fee. This would offset some small fraction of the cost, while still showing Mitsubishi in a good light as a company doing its part to grow the EV charging network. To keep cost down and suit the PHEVs battery, a 24 kW fast charge station would be sufficient.
reply
The cars standard ChaDeMo port opens up a unique marketing opportunity. Mitsubishi should install DC fast chargers at dealers -- the usual swipe-your-card-to-charge type units -- and leverage them as follows: 1. Anyone who buys or leases an Outlander PHEV would get a card for 36 months of free fast charges at Mitsubishi dealers. This would be an additional selling point, and would help overcome any reservations about the cars electric range and gasoline MPG. 2. The chargers would be listed on Plugshare -- with a note to register at the dealer to get a card good for three free fast charges. This would a) bring a whole new group of EV-owning, EV-enthusiastic potential buyers to Mitsubishi dealers, where they could ooh and aah over the dealers Outlander PHEV demo car strategically parked next to the charger, and b) registering for the card would put this horde of potential buyers on an opt-out Mitsubishi EV/PHEV mailing list. 3. For all others, the chargers would be usable for a reasonable fee. This would offset some small fraction of the cost, while still showing Mitsubishi in a good light as a company doing its part to grow the EV charging network. To keep cost down and suit the PHEVs battery, a 24 kW fast charge station would be sufficient.
reply
C G
im on my second mitsubishi. both outlanders (2016 and 2017) Horrible build quality. 4 months into owning it, the ABS module started leaking lots of brake fluid. destroyed all the paint in engine bay and subframe. Mitsubishi said too bad. Now, brand new car with exposed sheet metal. will rust in a year. Lots of other issues with the car also. side view mirror cracked in half while driving on highway. never seen something like that in my life. nobody believes me. including the dealer. Interior squeaks and rattles after few months of fine pavement driving. I wanted something different than the usual honda and toyota. big costly mistake on my part. also, their dealerships are 3rd world. 1 mechanic, 1 service rep. etc. mom/pop feel when you deal with them. i live in fort lauderdale, so lots of dealers around. all with the same feel. subpar. Good news is they never feel crowded. show rooms are ghost towns. For what you get, their pricing should be way under the competition. by a 1/4, just to stay in business. Both my cars averaged 15 mpg combined. for a small suv ( i gave mitsu a shot because of long financing deals they had. 6 years at 0 apr. wasnt worth it.
reply
im on my second mitsubishi. both outlanders (2016 and 2017) Horrible build quality. 4 months into owning it, the ABS module started leaking lots of brake fluid. destroyed all the paint in engine bay and subframe. Mitsubishi said too bad. Now, brand new car with exposed sheet metal. will rust in a year. Lots of other issues with the car also. side view mirror cracked in half while driving on highway. never seen something like that in my life. nobody believes me. including the dealer. Interior squeaks and rattles after few months of fine pavement driving. I wanted something different than the usual honda and toyota. big costly mistake on my part. also, their dealerships are 3rd world. 1 mechanic, 1 service rep. etc. mom/pop feel when you deal with them. i live in fort lauderdale, so lots of dealers around. all with the same feel. subpar. Good news is they never feel crowded. show rooms are ghost towns. For what you get, their pricing should be way under the competition. by a 1/4, just to stay in business. Both my cars averaged 15 mpg combined. for a small suv ( i gave mitsu a shot because of long financing deals they had. 6 years at 0 apr. wasnt worth it.
reply
americanhindi
I really need a 7 seat, affordable Plug-In-Vehicle. Its unfortunate that Outlanders PHEV does not come with a third row. Yes, Im aware that Chrysler Pacifica suits our needs but Chrycler vehicles are not very reliable and often have several maintenance and repair issues from our experience. Also, as a Nissan LEAF owner, I know that 20 miles of EV-only range is not enough. I hope Mitsubishi will make a few corrections to this great vehicle. An all electric Outlander would be the best update by getting rid of its fossil fuel engine, clutch, and transmission all together; make good used of the savings from that removal by adding a 60 kWh battery pack. If an all electric version is too much for Mitsubishi to handle, at least at 3rd row seats in PHEV version and increase the battery pack size every year, as battery prices reduce over time. Good review
reply
I really need a 7 seat, affordable Plug-In-Vehicle. Its unfortunate that Outlanders PHEV does not come with a third row. Yes, Im aware that Chrysler Pacifica suits our needs but Chrycler vehicles are not very reliable and often have several maintenance and repair issues from our experience. Also, as a Nissan LEAF owner, I know that 20 miles of EV-only range is not enough. I hope Mitsubishi will make a few corrections to this great vehicle. An all electric Outlander would be the best update by getting rid of its fossil fuel engine, clutch, and transmission all together; make good used of the savings from that removal by adding a 60 kWh battery pack. If an all electric version is too much for Mitsubishi to handle, at least at 3rd row seats in PHEV version and increase the battery pack size every year, as battery prices reduce over time. Good review
reply
Waldemar Ishibashi
It is an SUV. It makes the most amount of sense for people who use SUV as. SUVs; )I am looking for a vehicle to take to Japanese mountains for weekend road trips. I do not need fully on Land Cruiser AWD system though. The EV stations are common enough now, even at remote convenience stores. I still need to go toilet, I can use quick charger at that time. It has big enough battery to deal with hills - up and down. That will safe fuel and breaks. Japanese mountains put lots of pressure of both. Japan is hot - using AC on stops and before going inside the vehicle is an usually great comfort feature. 2019 has 2. 4l engine, better battery and stronger electrical motors. It has a conventional plug inside the vehicle - I can use it to charge a laptop or make some tea in the forest; )
reply
It is an SUV. It makes the most amount of sense for people who use SUV as. SUVs; )I am looking for a vehicle to take to Japanese mountains for weekend road trips. I do not need fully on Land Cruiser AWD system though. The EV stations are common enough now, even at remote convenience stores. I still need to go toilet, I can use quick charger at that time. It has big enough battery to deal with hills - up and down. That will safe fuel and breaks. Japanese mountains put lots of pressure of both. Japan is hot - using AC on stops and before going inside the vehicle is an usually great comfort feature. 2019 has 2. 4l engine, better battery and stronger electrical motors. It has a conventional plug inside the vehicle - I can use it to charge a laptop or make some tea in the forest; )
reply
René Gerritsen
Fuel economy is really tough to compare since it really depends on how long your commute is. I could do the entire commute in EV mode, making fuel economy very good (it will only use petrol in the winter to help heat the cabin, I guess. The RAV4 is mentioned as more fuel efficient, but for me it would definitely not be. I live in Europe (The Netherlands) and I noticed our kWh prices for electricity are significantly higher than American prices. We pay about 0. 20 - 0. 22 for 1 kWh, which means that if I can charge the battery 1000 times and then have to replace it, I only save 700 over the life of the battery (4 years if I daily charge it. Ive seen battery replacements offered for 2500 and the savings without battery replacement would be 3200.
reply
Fuel economy is really tough to compare since it really depends on how long your commute is. I could do the entire commute in EV mode, making fuel economy very good (it will only use petrol in the winter to help heat the cabin, I guess. The RAV4 is mentioned as more fuel efficient, but for me it would definitely not be. I live in Europe (The Netherlands) and I noticed our kWh prices for electricity are significantly higher than American prices. We pay about 0. 20 - 0. 22 for 1 kWh, which means that if I can charge the battery 1000 times and then have to replace it, I only save 700 over the life of the battery (4 years if I daily charge it. Ive seen battery replacements offered for 2500 and the savings without battery replacement would be 3200.
reply
Taylor Anderson
Thanks Alex, nice review. I test drove a GT PHEV and I really liked it, did a fair amount of one pedal driving with the regen on high. Really like the quiet too at least at lower speeds. One thing that might be a dealbreaker is the ground clearance, I was hoping for close to 9 like a Subaru. Could you comment on how you think it would do in snow maybe compared to a Subaru in snow/off-road and if you can think of good ways to improve ground clearance (bigger tires, smaller wheels, trimming exhaust tip assuming thats the low point) One plus for the Outlander imo is that theyve been making in Europe for years, so hopefully that means theyve already ironed out a lot of the early model problems. Thanks.
reply
Thanks Alex, nice review. I test drove a GT PHEV and I really liked it, did a fair amount of one pedal driving with the regen on high. Really like the quiet too at least at lower speeds. One thing that might be a dealbreaker is the ground clearance, I was hoping for close to 9 like a Subaru. Could you comment on how you think it would do in snow maybe compared to a Subaru in snow/off-road and if you can think of good ways to improve ground clearance (bigger tires, smaller wheels, trimming exhaust tip assuming thats the low point) One plus for the Outlander imo is that theyve been making in Europe for years, so hopefully that means theyve already ironed out a lot of the early model problems. Thanks.
reply
bmx7596
The fuel economy comparisons in this review are a bit skewed. Of course the competitors have better overall fuel economy, but this vehicle is designed to use in conjunction with charge points, thats the advantage. Between my mixed roadway test drives of the Rav4 and Rogue hybrids, I absolutely annihilated the others with the outlander PHEV, but I used my brain by actually utlizie the vehicle how it was designed. This review is like comparing 4x4 to AWD, its not the same, and when used incorrectly, you get sub par results. I never once got under 50mpg with this thing and overall average was over 80mpg. See the charge point, use it. Its not there for decoration.
reply
The fuel economy comparisons in this review are a bit skewed. Of course the competitors have better overall fuel economy, but this vehicle is designed to use in conjunction with charge points, thats the advantage. Between my mixed roadway test drives of the Rav4 and Rogue hybrids, I absolutely annihilated the others with the outlander PHEV, but I used my brain by actually utlizie the vehicle how it was designed. This review is like comparing 4x4 to AWD, its not the same, and when used incorrectly, you get sub par results. I never once got under 50mpg with this thing and overall average was over 80mpg. See the charge point, use it. Its not there for decoration.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
