2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

THE AUTO PAGE

By

John Heilig

·         MODEL: 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT

·         ENGINE: 2.0-liter MiVEC with twin electric motors

·         TRANSMISSION: 1-speed

·         HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 117 hp @ 4,500 rpm (190 hp with electric)/137 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm

·         WHEELBASE: 105.1 in.

·         LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 184.8 x 70.9 x 67.3 in.

·         TIRES: P225/55R18

·         CARGO CAPACITY: 30.4/66.6 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)

·         ECONOMY: 74 mpge/25 mpg fuel

·         FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 11.3 gal. 

·         CURB WEIGHT: 4,178 lbs.

·         TOWING CAPACITY: 1,500 lbs.

·         COMPETITIVE CLASS: Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Ford EcoSport

·         STICKER: $43,920 (includes $995 delivery, $430 options)

·         BOTTOM LINE: The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good SUV, but the electric range of only 22 miles seems like much ado about nothing.

            I know that manufacturers are doing their best to comply with Federal guidelines for overall fuel economy, and I appreciate their efforts. However, the much-touted Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT is a disappointment insofar as the electric power aspect. You can get a “basic” gasoline Outlander for around $25,000. Yet, for an additional $18,000 you get a whopping 22 miles electric before it switches back to gasoline. Why?

            The 2.0-liter 4 under the hood is an under impressive 117 horsepower. The two electric motors boost that to 190 horsepower for reasonable performance through the one-speed (yes!) transmission. The tranny does have a manual shift mode, but even on our hill climb it was a “why bother?” situation.

            Obviously, there’s a lot to be desired from the performance perspective. 

            There’s an interesting shift pattern to the automatic that I’ve seen before. Push the lever left and up for reverse, left and down for drive. When you’re in drive, tap it down and you get B, which hooks up the manual mode. Paddles behind the wheel are large and not connected to the wheel.

            On the plus side, front seats are comfortable and heated. Rear seats offer good legroom. Rear passengers also have their own heating and cooling controls, plus USB and 110-volt outlets at the rear of the center console. 

            We enjoyed the proprietary Rockford Fosgate sound system.  The centrally mounted infotainment screen has the standard menu of options - FM, AM, Bluetooth, Phone, SiriusXM, Apps, iPod, settings, plus 11 more on secondary screens. 

            Cargo capacity is very good. In addition, there’s a 110-volt AC plug in the cargo area, EV plug-in connectors stow below the cargo floor.

            Overall, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, because of its electric limitations, is just another ho-hum SUV with the questionable feature of electric drive.

            Outlandish?

(c) 2019 The Auto Page Syndicate