In mid-2018, Mitsubishi announced a second-generation powertrain for the Outlander PHEV, but that's not ready for Canada yet. For 2019, this plug-in hybrid SUV is carried over unchanged for its second model year except for the addition of an SE Limited Edition trim level.
This is a significant model for Mitsubishi: quickly after its arrival in Canada, the Outlander PHEV became one of the company's best-selling vehicles here. This crossover gives Mitsubishi a vehicle with very few direct competitors. Toyota makes a hybrid Highlander, but it's not a plug-in. Volvo makes a plug-in XC90, but it's in a higher price class. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is a PHEV, but it's a larger vehicle with more power.
Outlander PHEV combines a 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors. One of those motors is under the hood with the engine, and the other is at the rear axle, where it provides AWD traction. Mitsu says all three of those power sources combine for a total of 197 hp. A six-speed automatic transmission puts power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Outlander PHEV comes in SE, SE Limited Edition, SE Touring and GT trims.
SE comes with hill start assist, blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert, 18-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, fog lights, heated and power-folding side mirrors, front wiper deicer, heated front seats, power driver's seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, passive keyless entry and a six-speaker stereo with 7.0-inch touchscreen display.
The new SE Limited Edition package adds a sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated steering wheel and a power tailgate.
SE Touring brings LED headlights and fog lights, a power front passenger seat and leather upholstery.
Finally, GT trim adds lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, rearview mirror with compass, a nine-speaker stereo with amplifier and a multi-view exterior camera system.
Mitsubishi's fuel consumption estimates are 3.0/3.4 L/100 km (city/highway) when running as a hybrid, and 3.2 Le/100 km when running on electricity alone. Mitsu says the Outlander PHEV is good for up to 35 km of all-electric range on a full charge.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed