2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewIt's exciting when an automaker completely redesigns a vehicle, but total overhauls aren't always necessary.Sensible, incremental upgrades can make a huge difference, as the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid elegantly proves. This refreshed electrified SUV offers more of what matters most in a PHEV. You get significantly more horsepower, there's more electric range courtesy of a redesigned battery pack, and there's more efficiency than you might expect, all without costing you a lot more than before.Quick TakeThe Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid still has some advantages, but the redesigned 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is better than ever, and more than competitive with other plug-in SUVs. If you're thinking about buying an electrified vehicle like this, consider the new Outlander PHEV.2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid First Drive: All The Details2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid First Drive: All The DetailsView GalleryAdvertisementAdvertisement45 photosMore Performance, Greater EfficiencyThe updated Outlander features subtly reworked exterior styling (emphasis on subtly) and a few interior upgrades, but the big news here is what's under the hood. As before, a Mitsubishi-developed 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is the heart of this SUV's series-parallel hybrid powertrain (a design that's very similar to Honda's Two-Motor Hybrid system), though it is now matched to a 22.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, up from just 20 kWh last year. With a new cooling system, improved thermal management and a prismatic cell design, this pack delivers 60% more power than before.That foundational change boosts this Mitsubishi's total system output to a stout 297 horsepower, an increase of almost 50, but that's not all. The estimated electric range has also jumped from 38 miles to an impressive 45, plus the efficiency is higher as well, clocking in at 73 miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe when running on electricity.Those figures are more than competitive in 2026, though the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, arguably the Outlander PHEV's top rival, does have an edge. This Toyota has 324 system horsepower, plus it offers up to 52 miles of electric range and a maximum estimated MPGe rating of 96.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis Mitsubishi does, however, have a huge advantage over nearly every other plug-in hybrid available in the U.S. today, though this is a bit of a double-edged sword. The Outlander PHEV can DC fast charge, which is great if you want to maximize your efficiency on road trips. The downside is that the vehicle has an outdated CHAdeMO port, andchargers are probably pretty tough to find in the U.S. right now as everyone switches to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) socket, commonly known as the Tesla plug.For AC charging, the kind you do at home, the Outlander uses the familiar J-1772 port. Tap into a 240-volt Level 2 charger and you should be able to completely recharge this SUV's battery pack in around 6.5 hours. If you do happen to find a CHAdeMO DC fast charger, the battery can take in energy at 50 kilowatts, enough to go from a 10% state of charge to 80% in around 29 minutes.2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewA Pleasant Driving ExperienceAside from some curious whirring noises at lower speeds, the Outlander PHEV is pleasant to pilot: potent, planted and refined. With standard all-wheel drive, that electrified powertrain delivers more-than-respectable acceleration when you stand on the pedal, with the engine engaging and shutting off as dictated by conditions to deliver the best efficiency. In some situations, that four-cylinder runs a generator, feeding electricity to the battery, which then runs the vehicle. But at other times, particularly higher speeds, the engine can directly power the front wheels through a special clutch. There is no gearbox here, neither a conventional stepped-ratio unit nor a continuously variable transmission (CVT).AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Outlander Plug-In Hybrid's electric efficiency rating of 73 MPGe is impressive, but this vehicle is noticeably less economical when running on gasoline. Expect around 27 miles per gallon in mixed driving when the battery pack is depleted and the engine is doing the work, not very impressive for a hybrid.2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewMatching its strong acceleration, this Mitsubishi's steering is nicely weighted, with unexpected heft for a mainstream vehicle. The wheel itself is also nice and meaty, feeling great in your hands. Similarly, the ride quality is excellent, both soft and firm at the same time. The suspension absorbs and digests roadway inputs – small and large – quite nicely, though the body remains reasonably well controlled in corners and never seems to bobble around over bumps.If there's a downside to the way this vehicle drives, it's the braking. The stopping performance is perfectly fine, but the pedal itself feels squishy and numb.2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewFamiliar Looks, A Few RefinementsAside from those powertrain upgrades, if you were expecting radical changes to the rest of this SUV, you may be disappointed. The Outlander looks essentially the same as before, though designers made a few small tweaks here and there. The hood and grille have been slightly altered, the bumpers are new, and the wheels got redesigned, with the largest ones spanning 20 inches. There's also a new Black Edition model for 2026, the top trim level.AdvertisementAdvertisementSimilarly, the changes inside are super subtle but still meaningful. Designers improved some of the materials – there's lots of soft stuff, and I love the generous use of contrast-color stitching – though the piano-black trim, which is a magnet for dust and fingerprints, and the unintuitive gear selector borrowed from the Nissan Rogue could stand to be replaced.2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewThe Outlander PHEV's power-operated front seats are super comfortable, and certain models now have ventilation. The second row has plenty of room for adult-sized passengers and the Outlander PHEV even comes standard with a third-row seat, though it is tiny, not really even large enough for small children.Making life just a little easier, the front cupholders and wireless charging pad have been redesigned to work better, the center console now has 45% more storage space, and engineers worked to make the cabin quieter.When it comes to technology, the Outlander PHEV comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen of the same size. The infotainment system is reasonably responsive and intuitive, though if you prefer something else, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both included. Beyond all that, you can get a head-up display and even a digital rearview mirror that dramatically increases visibility behind the vehicle.AdvertisementAdvertisementExclusive to Mitsubishi, the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid also comes standard with a Yamaha audio system. Two variants are offered, one with eight speakers and another with 12. Overall, this SUV's interior is attractive, well-appointed and mostly comfortable, plus the tech is easy to use.2026 mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid first drive reviewThe VerdictThe 2026 Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is available in four trim levels: ES, SE, SEL and the new Black Edition. Expect this efficient SUV to start around $45,525 including $1,795 in destination fees (delivery is slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii). That price is not unreasonable, but it is about $2,430 more than a base RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. As for the Black Edition tested here, it should check out for roughly $57,000 with a couple options and destination fees.The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is better than ever for 2026. Even though this SUV still isn't the best offering in its class – the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid has some important advantages – the Outlander is still plenty competitive and more than worth your consideration if you're thinking about getting an electrified utility vehicle. Sweetening the deal, Mitsubishi also offers dynamite warranty coverage on every one of its models. This includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee, a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and even two years of free maintenance.ProsConsComfortable first- and second-row seatsThe RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid offers moreThoughtfully designed interiorMushy, numb brake pedalStrong performanceWonky gear selectorGood efficiencyThird-row "seat"Third-row seatBecome an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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