2024 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV

MITSUBISHI ADDS PLATINUM TRIM
TO  PLUG-IN OUTLANDER LINEUP

Introduced as a plug-in for the 2018 model year, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV moved into its second generation for 2023 and the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV grows a bit with a new upper level trim added. 

The Platinum edition joins ES, SE, and SEL Outlander PHEV models in the Japanese automaker’s lineup with SEs and SELs also available with special equipment packages to further expand the choices for this award winning vehicle. (Green Car Journal has named the Outlander PHEV its “Green Car of the Year” for the last two years.)

This review, however, is based on 2024 Mitsubishi PHEV SEL model with the Premium package and offers a wide variety of equipment at a slightly lower price than the Platinum.

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV shares a platform with the popular Nissan Rogue, but little else under an agreement with Nissan but little else.

The Rogue features a 1.4-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet while the Outlander PHEV pairs a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors (one to work the front wheels, the other the rear). Combined, they put out 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Outlander PHEV, optional on the Rogue. One thing in common is a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL comes with a long list of standard features in an attractive package that gives off the aura of premium-class vehicles.

The roomy interior has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob as well as leather-seating surfaces, and front seats are heated. Also standard are a 12.3-inch driver display and 9-inch touchscreen for infotainment systems that include navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smart-phone charging, and tri-zone climate control.

Standard exterior features start with LED headlights, taillights, fog lights, and day-time running lights and also include rain-sensing wipers and a power lift gate.

Standard safety features on the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV include forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning with lane-change assist, and a driver alert assist.

A body-color spoiler and 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels also are standard on the SEL trim. The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV also gives you near “one-pedal” driving experience of a full-fledged EV. 

Starting MSRP for the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is listed as $46,295. That covered Mitsubishi Connect subscriptions and Mitsubishi Motors Confidence (10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year roadside assistance, 3-year limited maintenance) on my test vehicle, but other options tacked on another $4,095.

Those options included the SEL Premium Package (panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather door inserts, upgraded semi-Aniline leather seating surfaces, Bose Premium sound, and a head-up display), the red dianond color exterior paint with black roof, and a tonneau cover.

Including the $1,145 destination charge the final total for the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV came to $51,835.

 

What I liked about the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL: The interior has a premium feel about it with leather seats and soft leather surfaces throughout and is packed with lots of user-friendly tech features. The extra power from the hybrid drivetrain enhances throttle response despite the CVT. Handling also is excellent. Lots of safety features are included as standard.

What I didn’t like about the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL: Third-row seats are pretty useless. Legroom (and headroom) at the far back is compromised by the location for the battery pack. Fortunately, the seats do fold flat to open up more cargo room (over 30 cubic feet behind the second row). I would prefer a 10- or 8-speed automatic transmission over the CVT, but performance doesn’t seem to suffer much as older CVT versions.

Would I buy the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL? Yes. It’s an ideal size for someone wanting to move up from a sedan. If you don’t need the third row, you can simply keep it folded into the floor and not even realize it’s there. Plus the plug-in configuration relieves range anxiety concerns that typically come with full-on electric vehicles.