Used 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a midsize SUV/crossover with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The initials PHEV stand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

What’s the difference between a plug-in hybrid and a regular hybrid? A PHEV has a stronger battery, providing a useful amount of range running purely as an electric vehicle. To make sure the battery is charged up fully, however, means connecting it to a charger — plugging it in. When it’s not in full-electric mode, a PHEV functions like a regular hybrid.

What’s the difference between an Outlander PHEV and the gasoline-powered Outlander SUV? This PHEV model has seating for five, whereas the non-hybrid version has three seating rows. The other big difference is that a completely new generation of Outlander (reviewed separately) has arrived for 2022, but the PHEV isn’t yet part of that change.

Otherwise, the Outlander PHEV is a pleasant, roomy, and economical crossover. A little dated in design and quality, but compensates with a lot of standard equipment.

There’s no special sequence required to engage electric mode. The 2022 Outlander PHEV is programmed to use battery power as much as possible before firing up the engine automatically. We covered 23 miles without using a drop of gasoline.

EV mode at low speeds is also when the acoustic alert system chimes in to warn pedestrians of the PHEV’s presence. It’s a gentle whoosh and can’t be heard inside the vehicle.

The Outlander PHEV SUV pulls away quietly and smoothly, yet with a definite thrust. It takes little time to reach highway speeds. When the engine does kick in, it’s virtually imperceptible. The hybrid system’s readout gives more of a clue about what’s going on.

Drivers can concentrate on the usual tasks and leave the PHEV system to its own devices. Or they can push the EV button if they want. There’s also a lever behind the steering wheel for drivers to adjust the rate of brake regeneration. That’s especially useful on downhill stretches.

As for the more everyday aspects, the seats are comfortable, so is the ride quality, and outward vision is good. If the infotainment system had physical knobs for volume and radio stations, we would have been even happier.

The dashboard and center console designs of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV probably never looked cutting-edge, but they hardly needed to. Pleasing most of the people most of the time with a conservative and functional layout is a perfectly valid approach.

Even the least expensive trim has leather seating surfaces. The mid-level model blends in some simulated suede, and the top trim adds diamond stitching. Only a few cheap-ish plastics here and there remind us that the 2022 Outlander PHEV SUV is a bit of a bargain.

Rear legroom of 37.9 inches is ample for most adults. The back seats split and fold in the usual 60/40 fashion, and behind them is 30.4 cubic feet of luggage space. Folding those seats down creates a maximum cargo area of 66.6 cubic feet (when there’s a sunroof, it’s 62.8 cubic feet). For comparison, the Toyota RAV4 Prime has another three cubic feet.

Now there’s a new and arguably handsome 2022 Outlander generation, this PHEV holdover is looking even further past its prime. Chances are most buyers won’t care, though, because they will be getting a midsize SUV/crossover with excellent fuel economy and plenty of standard kit for a reasonable price.

LE trim adds roof rails, grille accents, side mirror housings, and side window surrounds all in black, plus 18-inch alloy wheels finished in dark chrome. All trims qualify for premium paint choices. Pearl White and Ruby Black Pearl are $395. Red Diamond costs $595.

PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
Before the Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Ford Escape PHEV, the Outlander PHEV carved a lonely trail as the only plug-in hybrid in an SUV/crossover format that was also financially feasible for a wide range of potential buyers. And we salute Mitsubishi for covering this drivetrain with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

DRIVING MODES
These four distinct modes — Eco, Normal, Sport, Gravel, and Snow — change and optimize things like acceleration and steering weight. The EV aspect also has Priority, Charge, and Save.

Even the base SEL trim brings a lot of standard equipment into the 2022 Outlander PHEV. Such as 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/start, heated side mirrors, leather seating surfaces, heated/8-way power-adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, self-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, and a powered tailgate.

Safety features are also plentiful. Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with lane-changing assistance and rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams are all standard.

The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB port, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 6-speaker audio setup.

The mid-level LE trim differs from the SEL with a few black exterior elements, plus simulated suede seating surfaces with red stitching, a powered sunroof, and an upgraded audio system with eight speakers.

GT trim piles on more features such as full LED headlights with automatic high beams, LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, diamond-stitched leather seating surfaces, heated steering wheel, rear USB port, 360-degree camera system, and two 1,500-watt AC power outlets.

Going for one of these higher trims is the main way to acquire more equipment in a 2022 Outlander PHEV SUV. Options that apply to the range include premium paint, LED cabin lighting, trailer package, mats, mudguards, aerodynamic additions, roof rail crossbars, and rear parking sensors.

The plug-in hybrid setup of the 2022 Outlander PHEV SUV consists of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, plus two electric motors taking energy from a lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is 221 horsepower, going to all four wheels. Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

The ability to run for up to 24 miles solely on battery power means some short commutes and quick errands need not burn any gasoline at all. Recharging the battery on a domestic 120-volt outlet takes around eight hours. A 240-volt supply halves that time. Or a DC fast-charging station can supply 80 percent capacity in less than 30 minutes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The Outlander PHEV achieves 74 MPGe combined city/highway when those 24 electric miles are factored in. As a regular hybrid, the combined figure is 26 mpg. The total estimated driving range with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery is 320 miles.

2.4-liter inline-4 + two AC synchronous permanent magnet motors
221 total horsepower
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 74 MPGe (gas & electric), 26 mpg (gas)