The World’s Best-Selling Plug-In Hybrid SUV Gets Even Better: The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Connie Peters
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More of what we love.
And that starts with luxury. Probably not where you’d expect this story to start, but that’s where the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander really got me: Massaging leather seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, effortless acceleration, an electric-car-like drive experience and 38 miles of all electric driving. And, and interior that seemed perfectly matched to my LV Neverfull tote (how did they know?). I had the opportunity to check out this newly redesigned SUV at the company’s headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee last week and drove the new Outlander Plug-in Electric Vehicle (or, PHEV) both on-road and off to try out the improved performance, enhanced all-wheel drive and increased electric range.
The Outlander PHEV, which starts at just under $40K US and tops out at just around $50K US, is the world’s best selling plug-in-hybrid sport utility vehicle, and a 3-row that can seat seven, to boot! While I will say the third row shouldn’t be considered for full-time use, it’s handy for car pooling and occasional extra family members tagging along.
Related: BEVs, PHEVs, and Hybrids: Everything You Need to Know About Cars With Alternative Power
A rear view of the new Outlander PHEV. Photo: Connie Peters
More Miles, and Faster Charging for 2023
Plug-in-hybrids are a favorite of mine because I can drive all week without using a drop of gas. Yes, you read that right. The pure electric range of the Outlander PHEV has increased for 2023 and you will get up to 38 miles or 61 kilometres in pure electric range and I drive less than that per day.
Add to that fun fact, the new Outlander now offers DC fast charging, which means getting a full charge at a fast charging station in as little as 38 minutes. The Outlander is the first PHEV to be able to use DC fast charging, and to compare; it’ll take about 6 hours to fully charge the battery at a level 2 240V charger (similar to a household clothes dryer outlet) and overnight to fully replenish at a level 1 standard household outlet. I owned a Tesla and always plugged in at home on a level one household plug and was able to take full advantage of the electric range every day, however, so I’m not sure you’d really need to take it to a fast charger.
Related: USED: 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: An SUV With All the Right Stuff
I love the new front end on the redesigned Outlander. Photo: Connie Peters
More Miles from the Gas Engine, Too
The new Outlander PHEV also gets more overall range with a bit larger of a fuel tank and also more power. The 2023 boasts a 2.4L four cylinder with 2 electric motors getting 248 HP and 332 lb-ft Torque, which had no issues accelerating and passing on our day-long drive through Tennessee. I will say the single-speed transmission does make a bit of a whining sound which seemed strange at first, and might take a moment to get used to, but overall I was pleased with the performance on the freeway.
Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive system dubbed Super All Wheel Control or S-AWC has been improved for the new Outlander PHEV as well, and having felt it both on the circuit track and off-road in Tennessee mud, well, I’m a fan. It feels incredible stable and safe, which is exactly what you need in a family SUV.
A beautifully designed driver cockpit. Photo: Connie Peters
But how does the 2023 Outlander Look?
The design is looking a bit tougher as well, as it’s wider and adopts the Japanese “I FU DO DO” which stands for “Authentic and Majestic” and it looks fantastic overall. The interior is where it shines, however, the top trim, SEL Premium is what we drove and I appreciated the semi-aniline leather seats with massaging, wireless Apple CarPlay, heated seats, and ample space in the front for both driver and passenger.
This is the first year that the 3rd row comes in the PHEV Outlander, and as I mentioned, it’s very tight, but so nice to have for occasional use. You will get 33.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row when the two seats are folded flat.
Related: USED: 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: An SUV With All the Right Stuff
The 3rd row in the Outlander PHEV is tight. Photo: Connie Peters
More Electric-Car-type Driving
Mitsubishi wants to provide driving pleasure along with toughness and safety, along with an emphasis on “EV-ness” which means features like Innovative Pedal, DC Fast Charging, and Charge Modes.
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The Charge Modes in the new Outlander PHEV include Normal, EV, Charge, Save. Normal will use a combination of electric and gas-powered motors, EV will use up the battery pack to power the two electric motors until it runs out of juice, and then kick it back to gas-powered, Charge will actually charge the battery while you’re driving, or even idling. I found it so interesting that we could charge the batteries while we were having lunch just by running the cars.
The last mode is ‘Save,’ which means the car will hold whatever charge the battery currently has so that you can use the battery later. For example let’s say you want to save the battery for city driving and you’re commuting. You can use Save while you’re on the highway and then switch to Normal or EV when you hit the city.
Innovative Pedal is also new for the 2023, it is a button that will automatically set up the regenerative braking and mechanical braking will take you to almost a one-pedal-drive mode. I appreciate this function because maximum regenerative braking will provide more energy back into the battery pack, extending my range. Plus, I enjoy the feeling of one-pedal-drive in cars. It doesn’t take you to a full stop, however, the Outlander PHEV does still creep when you take your foot off the brake.
Related: In A Word, The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid SUV is Fun
The interior feels very luxurious, and pairs quite nicely with my handbag! Photo: Connie Peters
How much will all this new tech set you back?
The Outlander PHEV is packed with value. If I were to buy an SUV today, it would be a plug-in-hybrid for sure, and the Outlander has so much to offer for the price.
The Outander PHEV is a reasonably priced and versatile three-row SUV starting at $39,845 USD / $46,538 CAD which is amazing considering I’m not going to be spending much on gas any more either! Yes, the beauty of a PHEV is that you still have a gas motor so you can still get out of town and not think twice about charging stations or charging at your destination. You can even charge up the battery simply by driving or idling in Charge mode.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the full package: design, capability, “EV-ness,” and even a surprising amount of luxury. There is a LOT to love about this family car! This top trim, SEL Premium is priced at USD $48,145 and there is a 40th Anniversary Edition which adds special badging and 2-tone paint color for $49,995.
Disclosure: I was hosted by Mitsubishi Motors to drive the 2023 Outlander PHEV, all opinions are my own.
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