2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid SUV

The 2021Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will be available in three main trims namely the SEL, LE, and top-end GT trims. The base SEL trim starts from around $36,295 and will come packing all numeracy equipment inducing an 8-inch infotainment system, power seats, leather upholstery, automatic headlamps, and even the whole advanced driver assistance package. The LE trim slides in as a sportier avatar of the base trim boasting visual upgrades, a moon roof, and suede upholstery over the base. Going for the top-end GT trim will bring in even more features including adaptive cruise control, LED headlamps, heated steering wheel, and diamond-stitched seats pushing the prices over 41,995. Whatever trim you go for, the engine and electric motor configuration stay the same. All trims will also come with a standard all-wheel-drive system as well.

Trim	SEL	LE	GT
MSRP(RWD)	$36,295	$37,995	$41,995
Key features	8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay	Power moonroof	Leather-appointed seats with a diamond quilted pattern.
	6-speaker audio system	8-speaker audio system	Multiview camera system
	Dual-zone climate control	The black window side molding	Auto-dimming rearview mirror
	8-way power-adjustable front seats with heating function	Dark Chrome grille accents	LED headlamps
	Leather-appointed seating surfaces	Synthetic suede seating surfaces with red stitching	Rear USB ports
	Rain sensing wipers	18-inch dark chrome alloy wheels	Heated steering wheel
	Power folding heated outside mirrors	Gloss black roof rails	Premium gloss black instrument panel accents
	Automatic Halogen headlamps with LED DRLs and auto high beam	Mitsubishi Power sound system	Adaptive cruise control
	LED fog lamps and LED brake lights		1500 AC power outlets
	18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels		Premium gloss black floor console
	Standard driver assistance technology package
	Remote liftgate

Which trim should you buy?

As the base SEL trim of the 2021Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV packs in most of the relevant features including the full suite of driver assistance systems, we definitely think that it is the variant to go for. That said, you could stretch your budget slightly for the top-end GT trim as it does not command a lot over the proceeding trim and offers the same value as the base trim.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets a new and improved 2.4L gasoline engine instead of the smaller 2.0L engine seen in the previous model year. This engine puts out around 126 hp and 147 lb-ft. Being a hybrid, the SUV also gets electric assistance from two motors mounted at both axles. The front motor makes around 80 hp and 101 lb-ft while the rear one is rated for 94 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. Most of the time the output will be limited to 194 hp but Mitsubishi does allow the engine to intervene at times making the overall system see an improvement in total net power output to around 221 combined hp.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is not that quick of an SUV and takes a leisurely 8.5 seconds to hit the 60 mph mark from a standstill. The quarter-mile comes up in about 16.7 seconds. The top speed asunder all-electric operation has gone up from 79 mph to 83 mph for this year with the updated configuration. The electric motors do make the 4250 pounds SUV feel peppy on the streets but once you start hitting the highways, the power does feel to taper off when doing anything above 75 mph.

Models	2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	2021 Ford Escape PHEV	2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
MSRP	$36,295	$38,350	$33,075	$35,345
Engine	2.4L 4-Cylinder	2.5L 4-Cylinder	2.5L 4-Cylinder	2.0L 4-cylinder and
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD	FWD	AWD
Transmission	Single-speed reduction gearbox	ECVT	CVT	CVT
Power (hp)	126hp@ 4600 rpm	177hp@ 6000 rpm	165hp@ 6250 rpm	152hp@ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft.)	147 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	167 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm	155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Net System Power (hp)	221hp combined	302hp combined	200 hp combined	148 hp combined
0-60 MPH (seconds)	8.5	5.5	9.0	8.3
Quarter-Mile (seconds)	16.7	14.1	16.7	16.5
Top-Speed (MPH)	NA	NA	NA	NA

Having the highest combined output of 302 hp, the 2021 RAV4 Prime takes a win over here when it comes to outright acceleration and speed gain. It is close to 3 seconds faster than the second quickest car here, the Subaru Crosstrek plug-in-hybrid, which by the way is the lightest car in this segment despite sporting standard all-wheel-drive. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comes in close with an 8.5 second run while the Ford Escape PHEV comes in last with the slowest time of 9 seconds.

 How well does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV handle?

The 2021Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers an easy-going and balanced character that is best for a family-oriented SUV of this segment. The tap-on responses are immediate and are compact enough to park and squeeze through through the tightest of places. The adjustable regenerative modes with the steering-mounted paddle shifters do add in a whole lot of convenience and do allow for single pedal drivability in the highest energy recuperation setting.

The high seating and big glass area give the driver the best visibility, which combined with the light steering make it a joy to drive in the city and on short highway runs. The ride feels planted and the entire vehicle feels as stable as anything else on its segment. That said, the steering feels a bit over-assisted or too light for any kind of high speed or spirited driving. There is a noticeable amount of body roll as well, not that someone owning this car would push it to that extent.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Braking Performance

The 2021Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comes with a pair of 11.6-inch rotors at the front and a pair of 11.9-inch rotors at the rear. With a curb weight of around 4244 wets, this hardware enables the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to stop from 60mph in just 125 feet which is acceptable for an SUV of this size. 

The brakes are not all that confidence-inspiring, but for general purpose, it gets the job done. The regenerative braking does allow one foot driving based on what intensity you set it to, but needs some getting used to. With a full suite of electronics including anti-locks, stability program, and brake assist features, Mitsubishi has got you covered in the braking safety department no matter which trim you go for.

Models	2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	2021 Ford Escape PHEV	2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Brake Rotors: Front (inches)	11.6	12.9	NA	11.6
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)	11.9	12.5	NA	11.2
Curb Weight (lbs)	4244	4235	3870	3717
60-0 (feet)	125	127	122	118

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, being the lightest Crossover here, manages to stop the best coming to a complete halt in just 118 feet. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV stops the second best with a measured distance of 125 feet while the RAV4 Prime, being one of the heaviest of the bunch, takes almost 127 feet to come to a halt. We don’t have any official data of the hardware in use, but the Ford did come to a stop pretty quick, measuring in at just 122 feet which is not too far from one of the best in class.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is rated at a combined hybrid range of about 74 MPGe. The combustion engine is rated for a combined efficiency of 26 MPG and with an 11.3-gallon tank, you could expect it to run almost 295 miles. This SUV is also rated with 24 miles of all-electric range which is up from the 22 miles of the previous model year. Both these figures are not the best we have seen but with a CHAdeMO fast-charging unit, you are looking at a 0-80% top-up in just 25 minutes for the 13.8kWh battery pack. A 240V outlet could do the same in about 4 hours while the 120V outlets at home will take 14.5 hours.

Models	2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	2021 Ford Escape PHEV	2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
MPG (City)	NA	40	NA	NA
MPG (Highway)	NA	36	NA	NA
MPG (Combined)	26	38	40	35
MPGe	74	94	105	90
Fuel tank capacity(gallon)	11.3	14.5	11.2	13.2
Range (City/highway/Cmbd Miles)	NA/NA/294	580/522/551	NA/NA/448	NA/NA/462
Electric Range (miles)	24	42	37	17

At 105 MPGe, the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV is the best when it comes to MPGe figures and its 37-mile all-electric drive range is also decent for its class. The Toyota RAV4 Prime comes in second with a figure of 94 MPGe while boasting the class's biggest 14.5 fuel tank. The Toyota also returns the best all-electric drive range in this comparison, grossing up to 42 miles in one go. The Subaru comes a close third with 90 MPGE while the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets pushed down in this regard, only managing about 74 MPGe.

Well, let’s say the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s inside looks more functional than out-and-out modern. The design is almost 8-years old but Mitsubishi has brought in the new steering wheel, infotainments, and HVAC controls to keep it in line with the times. The cabin feels very roomy thanks to the clever design and big windows although the 56.4-inches of shoulder room is not the most accommodating in its class. The drive selector is a drive-by-wire unit and is not the most functional drive selection setup out there. The touchscreen unit falls in one arm's reach and is pretty intuitive to use in general.

One thing we have to praise Mitsubishi for is the equipment being offered even in the base trim. The crossover gets leather upholstery, powered and heated front seats, an 8-inch infotainment system, backup camera, dual-zone AC, rear heater floor ducts, cruise control, push-button start, and a whole lot more. There are pretty much no reasons to go for a higher trim unless you want a heated steering wheel, LED headlamps, Multiview camera, and a1500 W power outlets. Even if you go for the higher trim, the value quotient remains the same as the base trim as you are essentially getting what you pay for.

Models	2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	2021 Ford Escape PHEV	2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	40.6/56.4/40.9	37.7/57.8/41	40/57.6/42.4	39.8/56.7/43.1
Second Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	38.3/56/37.9	39.5/56.4/37.8	39.3/56/38.9	37.6/55.6/36.7
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)	30.4	33.5	34.4	15.9

The Ford Escape does offer the best compromise when it comes to cabin space and also comes with the largest trunk in the segment. The RAV4 comes close but has a slight compromise in headroom owing to the standard sunroof. The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV does measure below the Toyota when it comes to the dimension but in reality, it is the one that feels the roomiest in this comparison. The Crosstrek PHEV does offer decent space inside, but its cargo is just too tiny, measures just half the capacity of the competition. Some standout interior features of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are;

• 8-way power-adjustable front seats with heating function
• Dual-Zone climate control
• 8-inch infotainment system
• Leather seating surfaces
• Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
• Rear seats air vents

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comes packed with a standard 8-inch infotainment system that incorporates Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Sirius XM, HD radio, and voice control. The base SUV does come with a standard 6-speaker audio system while the top two trim gets an 8-speaker unit. Both front and rear passengers get individual USB ports for additional connectivity options. Some standout infotainment features of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are;

• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Sirius XM, HD radio, and Bluetooth support
• Voice recognition
• 6-speaker Audio system (8-speaker available)
• Steering mounted audio controls

The 2021Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a genuinely good-looking vehicle and still got the charm after all these years. Even though Mitsubishi likes to refer to their car as a crossover, the proportions go in line with a mid-sized SUV. The front looks sporty and there is a perfect use of chrome embellishments to bring about a premium appeal. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV does ride a bit low for an SUV but the 18-inch wheels fill the arches to give the entire side profile a proportionate look.

As for the features, Mitsubishi has thrown in almost everything from the base variant. All exterior lighting except the headlamps is LEDs. The 18-inch machine alloy wheels we just talked about are standard fitment and so are features like automatic wiper, automatic headlamps, power tailgate, rear window defroster and wipers, chrome exterior garnishes, and heated auto-folding outside mirrors. Going for the second trim adds in the sunroof but features like LED headlamps and auto-dimming exterior mirrors are only available on the top trim.

Models	2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	2021 Ford Escape PHEV	2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Curb Weight (lb)	4244	4235	3870	3717
Length (inches)	184.8	180.9	180.5	176.5
Width (inches)	70.9	73	74.1	71
Height (inches)	67.3	67	66.1	62.8
Ground Clearance (inches)	7.3	NA	NA	NA
Wheelbase (inches)	105.1	105.9	106.7	104.9

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the heftiest of the segment as it has the widest and longest frame here. But the comparatively short wheelbase has caused it to compromise when it comes to the cabin space. The Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Ford Escape PHEV do come close in dimensions but the Escape gets a considerable advantage when it comes to weight, weighing close to 360 pounds less than the RAV4 Prime. The Crosstrek PHEV does weigh the least but does come with a lot of space constraints, especially in the trunk. Some standout exterior features of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are;

• 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels
• Automatic halogen headlamps (LED available)
• LED DRLs and Brake lights
• Heated power-folding outside mirrors
• Rain sensing wipers
• Power tailgate

One place where the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV outshines its competition is in the safety department, at least with regard to the features offered. Even the base trim comes loaded with the full suite of driver assistance features and this includes collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning. Lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and brake assist. Also, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was rated 5-stars by the NHTSA while the same SUV earned the tag of a top safety pick back in 2019. Some standout safety features on the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are;

• Forward Collision mitigation with pedestrian alert
• Lane departure warning
• Blindspot warning with lane change assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Auto high beam assist
• Backup camera

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime starts at a slightly higher price than the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. But for that money, you get a considerably more powerful drivetrain with better overall efficiency and range. The RAV4 prime is also slightly better when it comes to space on both the insides and in the cargo hold. That said, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV does hit back with its abundance of standard equipment which foreshadows the Toyota. That said, it is pretty much impossible to beat Toyota when it comes to the reliability quotient and customer support. We do prefer the Toyota RAV4 prime ever so slightly over the Outlander PHEV, but if features are a priority, then the latter is the one to go for.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2021 Ford Escape PHEV

As the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV starts at a lower price than the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, it does compromise a lot when it comes to power and equipment that is on offer. Even though the Ford comes a bit lacking when it comes to gizmos, it does pack in a bigger cabin and better MPGe figures. One could say that the Ford is the cooler of the two but the Mitsubishi feels more functional. The Outlander PHEV wins in the safety department as well, boasting a wider array of safety instruments. As a family crossover, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV hits more things right than wrong, getting our favor in this comparison.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2021 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, taking advantage of its lower curb weight and robust build, is the quicker and capable crossover when compared to the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. That said since people are looking for better practicality, space, and comfort, the Outlander PHEV with its huge cabin scores real high here. Also with a plethora of equipment from the factory, it won’t leave with a feeling of wanting in pretty much any department in front of the Subaru. So just based on what you get for your money, we have to go with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as it just brings in a whole lot more as a complete package.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been one of the bestselling PHEVs in the market and there is a reason why. Packing in almost every feature from the base trim, including advanced driver assistance features, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV hits the value for money quotient right on the head. It brings all this in a decently sized package with the right kind of efficiency figures suited for a modern family SUV. 

It can be a grocery getter, daily driver, and a decent highway machine at the same time with that all-important SUV tagline that people tend to desire more for these days. We don’t see anything that should keep you away from getting the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and definitely should be on your priority list when shopping in this price bracket especially with the new one already on the pipeline.