Here at MHH Japanese Cars we like our creature comforts and when it comes to comfort it is hard to beat the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The original version of this car was known as the Airtrek but in 2003 the model at the time became known as the Outlander, globally. The hybrid came later and today makes for a very solid used car purchase. The PHEV is derived from the third generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander model and has certainly captured the public's interest.
An Overview
Simply put, the Outlander PHEV offers environmentally-friendly all-electric operation for everyday use and mainly petrol-engine-powered hybrid operation for longer journeys. Depending upon how it is driven the Outlander PHEV has a cruising range of up to 32 miles in pure electric mode. That mileage may well be enough for the average daily commute.
Using both battery and petrol modes, it has an official cruising range of approximately 541 miles, although this will depend upon road conditions and the like. Petrol consumption is minimised by actively using electric power, keeping the petrol engine in its most efficient range, and by recovering energy used during deceleration from regenerative braking.
There is no gear-shifting, just a seamless transmission of power. You can drive without doing anything special. The car will decide for itself when the electric motors should contribute to your progress, or convert themselves into generators to recharge the battery when its charge has nearly run out.
If you want to, you can choose (via console switches/paddles) when to recharge the batteries, when to use electric drive only, and when to ensure all four wheels are being driven.
Drive Modes In Detail
- EV Drive Mode
EV Drive Mode is an all-electric mode in which the front and rear motors drive the vehicle using only electricity from the drive battery. With zero on-road petrol consumption and zero CO² emissions, the driver can enjoy a quiet and very eco-friendly performance in this mode, subject to weather conditions and the extent to which the car’s heating system and air conditioning are used.
- Series Hybrid Mode
In Series Hybrid Mode, the petrol engine operates as a generator supplying electricity to the electric motors. The system switches to this mode when the remaining charge in the battery falls below a predetermined level and when more powerful performance is required, such as accelerating to pass a vehicle or climbing a steep gradient.
- Parallel Hybrid Mode
The system switches to Parallel Hybrid Mode when the vehicle reaches high speeds. In this mode the high-efficiency petrol engine provides most of the motive power, assisted by the electric motors as required, such as when more powerful performance is needed to accelerate or climb a slope.
On The Road
Well, it’s a low-emission (42g/km) five-seater, full-size SUV. On the road, the Outlander is an easy and relaxed drive, with good visibility because of its elevated driving position. Thanks to the electric boost it is quick off the mark but is in no way sporting. There's plenty of sway in the corners but I guess most drivers won't be flinging it about anyway.
Drive is ultra-smooth with seamless transition between the three driving modes which combine to deliver optimum performance dependent on driving conditions. In this reviewer’s opinion it is best to let the car get on with it and not fiddle about too much with the charging options. Trying to regenerate extra battery charge results in real-time petrol penalties. Charge it at home and/or at work and leave it at that.
The PHEV offers adaptive four-wheel drive, with twin electric motors driving the wheels on demand. The standing start sprint to 62mph takes a modest but perfectly acceptable 11 seconds. Torque is a punchy 244lb/ft. This coupled with a 1,500kg towing capacity makes it an ideal candidate for towing for a medium-weight caravan.
Interior
The appearance of the dashboard has been comprehensively refreshed on the 2016 model shown, and there is a new raised centre console too. With the supportive soft leather seats the interior of the car is upmarket, roomy and comfortable.
A four-spoke heated steering wheel features an intuitive button layout that is easy to get to grips with. The easy-to-read high-contrast meters include a power meter that shows at a glance how much energy is being used and recovered. The high-definition colour LCD multi-information display system, which provides access to a range of e-Assist and eco-driving support data and route guidance information linked to the car navigation system, displays vehicle energy flow data.
The selector lever is a futuristic-looking joystick with an electric ‘parking switch’ that locks the lever. The Outlander PHEV comes with an ‘ECO Mode’ switch that controls electricity and fuel usage for increased efficiency at the touch of a button and an ECO Driving Support System Display that shows just how much energy is being saved. As a family sized SUV with good ecological pretensions, this car is recommended.
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