It’s a great way to upgrade to an all-electric one down the road. If you want to have one that stands out from its rivals, you might want to check out the 2023 Outlander PHEV. It has one feature you won’t find with too many other plug-in hybrids. What does this SUV offer and what else impresses reviewers?
What the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has that very few other plug-in hybrids have
What sets this Mitsubishi apart from its competitors is the fact that it can support DC (Level 3) charging. The only other plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market that can use DC chargers are Range Rovers and .
, most plug-in hybrids do not support Level 3 charging. Most PHEVs use Level 1 and Level 2 units. The Outlander will take up to 7.5 hours to charge using a 15 amp unit . You can also charge it using the Charge Hybrid setting. It should take about 94 minutes to get an 80% charge. However, it’s not a very efficient way to do it.
Of course, that’s not the only feature reviewers liked about the vehicle. Here are four more items that hit the post on the 2023 Outlander PHEV.
Traction and stability control system
One feature CNET reviewers liked about the Outlander is its Super All-Wheel Control Stability and Traction system. Taking standing water a few inches deep is child’s play with this Mitsubishi. Despite the dire conditions, the vehicle handled so well that reviewers barely noticed the wet ground.
Mitsubishi supplied the wet course used for the publication’s tests. Reviewers pushed the vehicle pretty hard on the track, more than you’d get on normal roads. Using the Sand/Rain drive mode, the SUV cornered quite well with little to no issues with slippery pavement.
Regenerative braking
As you see, with all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid uses regenerative braking. With this Mitsubishi, you get five levels of regenerative braking, then you can select the mode you want to help you get the most out of your range.
The innovative pedal mode, new for the 2023 model year, attempts to replicate the one-pedal driving you get with an all-electric electric vehicle. It offers maximum regeneration when the accelerator is lifted, allowing you to drive without actually using the additional pedal.
Plug-in hybrid powertrain
Another feature CNET reviewers were pleased with about the Outlander was its hybrid powertrain. The plug-in hybrid runs on a 2.4-litre Atkinson cycle gas engine and a pair of electric motors. The front axle delivers 114PS and 166Nm of torque, while the rear axle works out with 134PS and 144Nm of torque.
The battery itself is a 20 kWh lithium-ion unit, which Mitsubishi has hidden under the cab floor. When it comes to range, you can expect 38 miles using electric motors alone. However, if you add the petrol engine, you can extend the mileage to 420 miles.
Internal space
With the , you get a third row of seats, which can be folded away into the cargo bed. This gives you 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row tucked away. You’ll also get 78.5 cubic feet of storage if you fold down the second and third row seats.
It has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, nine-inch infotainment screen, and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can also opt for the Mi-Pilot driver assistance and suite of safety technology features.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid vehicle promises to be a great SUV. One of the main reasons is that it can use fast-charging units, which most PHEVs don’t.
