2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV boasts an impressive daily range

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2024) boasts an impressive daily range, alleviating concerns about frequent charging. With regular overnight charging, the engine may only be needed during extended road trips, offering a seamless and efficient driving experience.
Reflecting on Mitsubishi's journey in the automotive landscape as we navigate through the 21st century evokes nostalgia for enthusiasts. The brand's rich history, particularly in rallying and iconic all-wheel-drive sedans, once defined its image. However, in today's context, Mitsubishi has found its place as a valued member within the Nissan-Renault alliance, focusing on delivering value-oriented SUVs like the Outlander and budget-friendly options like the Mirage.

While Mitsubishi's electric vehicle lineup may not be as extensive as some competitors, the Outlander PHEV stands out as a practical choice, blending affordability with eco-friendly technology. Priced reasonably starting at $40,345, the 2024 model impresses with its sizable battery capacity, offering a predominantly emission-free driving experience for daily commuting needs.

Despite the growing popularity of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the Outlander PHEV continues to serve a niche audience, although some sentiments suggest it may have taken a backseat in the pursuit of more trendsetting EVs. Consumer Reports' data on PHEV reliability may raise concerns, yet it's worth noting that both PHEVs and BEVs generally offer lower maintenance costs compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Ars' previous brief encounter with the Outlander PHEV hinted at its potential, prompting a deeper dive into the 2024 model during a week-long test. This hands-on experience provided insights beyond a staged first-drive event, reaffirming the Outlander PHEV's solid performance and practicality for daily use.

Let's see if the Outlander PHEV 2024 is really compact...

Mitsubishi classifies the Outlander PHEV as a compact SUV, although the debate over whether a vehicle measuring 185.4 inches (4,709 mm) in length and 75 inches (1,905 mm) in width truly qualifies as “compact” can delve into philosophical discussions about technical definitions versus common understanding. Notably, the 106.5-inch (2,705 mm) wheelbase allows for a third row of seats at the rear, accommodating up to seven passengers-provided the occupants in the back are of shorter stature.

Once settled in the driver’s seat, there’s no need to fear feeling cramped. The visibility and ergonomics present no unpleasant surprises. For fans of buttons, rejoice-the climate controls and common infotainment functions are well-represented. Additionally, interactions with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto occur via the 9-inch touchscreen. Beneath the hood resides a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine operating under the Atkinson cycle, generating 131 horsepower (98 kW) and 144 lb-ft (195 Nm) of torque. This article is about a new car and its powertrain, we suggest you read Mitsubishi Outlander 2007-2013 Service Manual if, of course, you are interested in and useful information on the Outlander of these model years (2007-2013). This power can either drive the front wheels directly or charge the 20 kWh lithium-ion battery.

During highway cruising, the MO PHEV primarily functions as a parallel hybrid. However, in other scenarios, it operates as a series hybrid, drawing power from both the 113 hp (85 kW), 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) front electric motor and the 135 hp (100 kW), 144 lb-ft (195 Nm) rear electric motor. Interestingly, the efficiency advantage of parallel hybrid operation occasionally sparks irrational frustration among series hybrid enthusiasts-feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

After a full charge (which took approximately seven hours using a level 2 charger), the Outlander PHEV initially reported an electric range of 60 miles. However, as winter temperatures and a more realistic driving style came into play, this estimate recalibrated. The official EPA range stands at 38 miles, based on an average battery power efficiency of just 1.9 miles.