2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to come with a 7-seat option [Update]

Update: ‘Powertrain’ and ‘Release Date’ sections updated.

The plug-in hybrid variant of the all-new, fourth-gen Mitsubishi Outlander that went on sale in the U.S. is out now. Pictures and basic details of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are also available, and it will soon replace the first-gen model that arrived in the U.S. in 2016.

Design

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has all the same recognizable features as the gasoline model, but not without slight changes. Seeing how good the original design is, this approach will likely please most customers. It keeps the next-gen Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield front face and the bold proportions.

Mitsubishi offers two different contrasting roof colors for the all-new Outlander PHEV. Image Source: Mitsubishi

The new Outlander PHEV has a special two-tone exterior with a contrasting roof and a ‘PLUG-IN HYBRID EV’ badge on the front fenders. Sure, there’s the customary lid on the left shoulder hiding the charging port, but visual differences end there. Like on the gasoline variant, single-color paint options will be available, and the 20-inch alloy wheels look the same.

Adaptive LED headlights, LED DRLs with sequential turn indicators, LED front fog lights, roof spoiler, and LED rear combination lamps are other exterior highlights of the all-new Outlander PHEV in Japan. The redesigned plug-in hybrid SUV is available in the Mitsubishi’s home market in ten color options, two dual-tone and eight mono-tone:

• White Diamond + Black Mica (roof)
• Black Diamond + Deep Bronze Metallic (roof)
• White Diamond
• Red Diamond
• Black Diamond
• Cosmic Blue Mica
• Deep Bronze Metallic
• Sterling Silver Metallic
• Titanium Gray Metallic
• Black Mica

Like on the outside, no drastic changes are observed in the interior. The instrument cluster allows the driver to check the functioning and status of the plug-in hybrid system. It indicates the electric motor and petrol engine’s outputs, the level of charging being achieved from regenerative braking, the charging level, and more.

The driver can adjust the brake regen to the desired level in six steps ranging from B0 to B5 using steering-mounted paddles. Image Source: Mitsubishi

12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, head-up display, three-zone automatic climate control system, 10-speaker Bose audio system, and MI-PILOT Assist (for semi-autonomous driving on single-lane highways) are some of the equipment highlights of the all-new Outlander PHEV in Japan.

On the safety front, Mitsubishi equips its new plug-in hybrid SUV with features like Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).

7-seat option

A major drawback of the previous-generation Outlander PHEV is that it cannot leverage its large dimensions and accommodate seven passengers like the gasoline or diesel models. The all-new Outlander PHEV, however, has this covered. Three-row seating is optional, though, with a five-seat version ensuring a lower entry price and suitability for customers who need cargo volume.

The all-new Outlander PHEV has increased motor output and battery capacity. It will offer better performance and a higher range, likely both electric and combined in the U.S. Image: Mitsubishi

Powertrain

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV combines the 4B12 2.4-liter MIVEC gasoline engine with the S91 electric motor at the front and the YA1 electric motor at the rear. The engine produces 98 kW and 195 Nm of torque. The front electric motor generates 85 kW of power and 255 Nm of torque. The rear electric motor develops 100 kW of power and 195 Nm of torque. The source of energy of the electric motors is a larger, 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack operating at 350 volts. These are Japanese specifications, and the North American specifications should be announced in the coming months, without much deviation.

54 miles of pure electric driving range

The 20 kWh battery pack provides an EV mode range of up to 87 km (54 miles) in Japan’s WLTC mode. That’s a significant improvement over the previous model’s 57.6 km (36-mile) EV mode range. In addition, the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV should offer extended gasoline and combined ranges, as it has a bigger gas tank. Charging the battery pack takes approximately 7.5 hours using a normal charger. However, it’s possible to fast-charge to 80% SoC in just 38 minutes.

The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a new version of the S-AWD 4WD system. Image Source: Mitsubishi

Booster

Mitsubishi has equipped the front motor’s power drive unit with a booster function, which increases the supply of voltage to the front motor, offering improved performance, while also improving electricity consumption by raising the generator’s efficiency. The company has unified the rear motor with the control unit, and so, there’s enough room to add an extra row of seats. Mitsubishi has installed the control unit on the outside of the passenger compartment, which should provide superior quietness inside the cabin.

S-AWC

Mitsubishi has applied a Lancer Evo-derived S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) 4WD system in the Outlander PHEV. However, the next-gen model uses an “evolved” or improved version. In addition to a braking control system for the front wheels, the updated S-AWC has a braking control system to control the brake forces of the rear wheels. It reduces the load on the front wheels and allows extracting the maximum performance from all four wheels in a more balanced manner. The driver can select from Normal, Gravel, Snow, Power, Eco, and two more drive modes.

AspectNew Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SpecificationSeating Capacity5/7Engine4B12 2.4L MIVECEngine Power98 kW (131 hp)Engine Torque195 Nm (144 lb.-ft.)Front Electric MotorS91Front Electric Motor Power85 kW (114 hp)Front Electric Motor Torque255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.)Rear Electric MotorYA1Rear Electric Motor Power100 kW (134 hp)Rear Electric Motor Torque195 Nm (144 lb.-ft.)Battery Pack TypeLithium-ionBattery Pack Rated Capacity20 kWhElectric Range (WLTC)87 km or 54 miles (5-seat)/83 km or 52 miles (7-seat)Combined Efficiency (WLTC)16.6 km/l or 39 MPG (5-seat)/16.2 km/l or 38 MPG (7-seat)

All-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV specs in Japan (Source: Mitsubishi)

A new feature many customers may appreciate in the latest Outlander PHEV is one-pedal driving. This feature could prove to be particularly useful during off-road driving or on snow-clad roads. In optimal driving conditions, customers can use the company’s improved MI-PILOT single-lane ADAS technology on the highways. MI-PILOT integrates Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist, and it takes into account the navigation data to adjust the vehicle speed. It works even on curves.

Video Source: YouTube/Mitsubishi Motors Global

Release Date

Mitsubishi launched the next-gen Outlander PHEV first in Japan, on December 16, 2021. On February 9, 2022, it announced that it has received orders for more than 10,000 units. The company said that the previous generation model was selling at a rate of about 11,000 units a year, while the new-generation model is showing similar potential in a fraction of that time.

On March 6, 2022, Mitsubishi launched the all-new Outlander PHEV in New Zealand. The Australian launch, originally scheduled in the first half of the year, has been pushed to the middle of the year because of supply chain constraints, as per a report from Drive.

The U.S. will get the all-new Outlander PHEV between July and December. While left-hand drive markets received the Outlander gasoline variant earlier, the cadence is reversed for the plug-in hybrid.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Ralliart

Announcing FY2020 results in May 2021, Mitsubishi revealed that it is bringing back the Ralliart brand. Though the company said it wants to develop accessories and participate in motorsports with the rejuvenation of Ralliart, it is clear that their plan is to launch new Ralliart variants of their passenger models again.

Mitsubishi could launch an Outlander PHEV Ralliart/Outlander Ralliart if there are enough takers, although we wouldn’t get our hopes up just yet. Image Source: Mitsubishi

Right on cue, Mitsubishi unveiled an Outlander performance concept SUV at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon held between January 14 and January 16. Based on the second-gen Outlander PHEV, the Vision Ralliart concept sports a matte black color that appears blue when lights hit it in a particular way. The face of the SUV exudes an imposing character with a large radiator grille shutter, sporty and rugged front and rear bumpers, front and rear diffusers, prominent wheel arches, stylish 22-inch alloy wheels with large brake discs with opposed six-pot calipers. Mitsubishi has not announced production plans for the Vision Ralliart.

On the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (current model)

Since the new Outlander PHEV is a while away, Mitsubishi launched a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, based on the older generation, in the United States in February 2021. A few months later, the company quietly brought it into the 2022 model year. The base price of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the same as that of the earlier Outlander PHEV – USD 36,295, despite the updated engine. The 2022 Outlander PHEV is USD 700 more expensive, costing USD 36,995 in the base trim (MY2021 model’s price was USD 36,295).

The upgraded third-gen Outlander plug-in hybrid, which other markets received in 2018, arrived in the U.S. in February 2021. Image: Mitsubishi

The MY2021 and MY2022 models are more advanced, as Mitsubishi has introduced a 2.4-liter engine (in place of the 2.0-liter engine) and a 13.8 kWh battery pack (in place of the 12.0 kWh battery pack).

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs. 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (current model)

AspectSpecification2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Specification2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SpecificationEngine4B11 2.0-liter MIVEC4B12 2.4-liter MIVECEngine Power117 hp at 4,500 rpm126 hp at 4,500 rpmEngine Torque137 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm148 lb-ft at 4,500 rpmFront MotorS61S61Front Motor Power60 kW60 kWFront Motor Torque137 Nm137 NmRear MotorY61Y61Rear Motor Power60 kW60 kWRear Motor Torque195 Nm195 NmDrive Battery12.0 kWh Lithium-ion13.8 kWh Lithium-ionEV Range22 miles24 milesCombined Fuel Economy (Gasoline + Electricity)74 MPGe74 MPGeCombined Range310 miles320 miles

U.S.-spec Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comparison

The updates that brought a performance upgrade and a minor improvement in the EV range isn’t helping the aging Outlander PHEV improve its appeal in the U.S. market. In 2021, the Outlander PHEV registered 2,250 units in U.S. sales, a minor increase from 1,964 units in 2020. Numbers may not get considerably better until the new generation with extensive improvements to the design, features, and EV range hits the dealer showroom this year.

Production

The inspiration behind the revolutionary new design of the 2022 Outlander is the Engelberg Tourer concept from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Image Source: Mitsubishi

Production of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander takes place at the company’s Okazaki plant in Japan. Prices of the 2022 Outlander in the U.S. start at USD 26,095, and the 2023 Outlander PHEV’s base price could fall between USD 38,000 and USD 39,000.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV FAQs

What is the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV release date?

The all-new Outlander PHEV is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. during the second half of this year.

What will be the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV price?

The new Outlander PHEV should cost between USD 38,000 and USD 39,000 in the base trim.

Which models will the new Outlander PHEV challenge?

Ford Escape PHEV, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Hyundai Tucson PHEV & Kia Sportage PHEV (TBA) are the provisional competitors.

Featured Image Source: Mitsubishi

Keyword: 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to come with a 7-seat option [Update]