what was the best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV in Spain returns completely renewed

When the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV It debuted in our market, there were hardly any plug-in hybrids, which were also premium. This allowed him to become the most sold plug-in hybrid in Spain. Since it was sold in Europe, it has signed more than 200,000 units in total.

Now, with its fourth installment, the situation is very different: the PHEV offer is much broader and has rivals with almost identical credentials, such as the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in. This new generation seeks to differentiate itself thanks to its 4×4 system, added to premium features and more technology.

to the market It will arrive at the beginning of 2025, but we have already known this ZERO label in person. Although we will have to wait to drive it to taste the benefits it promises. In Europe it will only be sold with this plug-in hybrid mechanics.

A spacious and comfortable family SUV

He nuevo Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV grows slightly in sizebeing almost 2.5 cm longer than its predecessor and with a 3.4 cm more generous wheelbase. The trunk has almost the same size (495 l), so there are no changes in this regard.

Upon opening its electric gate, we find ourselves almost the same hole in the double bottom as in the previous onenext to the opening mouth to store the charging cable. It is deeper than it is high and when the seats are folded down it offers less capacity: 1,422 liters compared to the previous 1,602 liters.

When we sat in the rear seats we confirmed the extra comfort that Mitsubishi promises: these seats are very comfortable and spaciouseven the central one. With the front seat in its rearmost position, a 1.63 m occupant cannot place his knees on the backrest.

Although we are talking about a large SUV and, compared to other rivals, it is less spacious. Even compared to compact SUVs like the Renault Scenic E-Tech we have less legroom. This is due to the electrical mechanics located just in front of the rear wheels. It is the price to pay for your 4×4 system.

Present and a bite of the past in its design. In terms of exterior design, this Mitsubishi Outlander combines the brand’s new language with discreet nods to its most emblematic off-road vehicles. Its front Dynamic Shield It features a thin grille and two huge C-shaped moldings that frame the adaptive Full LED main headlights, with 12 individual LEDs. Above these moldings we find sharp daytime LEDs.

With a very high waist and robust lines, the roof barely falls into the rear, ensuring good headroom. It is panoramic and practicable, by the way, with a glass surface almost 1.0 m long.

It is at the rear where that classic essence can be seen: with horizontal lines and elongated optics, the tailgate is inspired by that of the emblematic second-generation Mitsubishi Montero. Generous 20-inch wheels complete the set of the unit shown, although the most affordable versions will have 18-inch wheels.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will be offered in 12 color options: five two-tone with black roof and pillars, and seven in a single color.

With premium aftertaste

As soon as you enter this Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV We appreciate a good jump in perceived quality. At least in its most complete finish of the three that will be offered in the European market: Motion, Kaiteki and Kaiteki+.

The leather coverings that cover not only the seats, but also the lower area of ​​the dashboard, the door panels and the frame of the central tunnel rule. The common and dirty piano black is reduced to a minimum in these areas, which is appreciated.

Although it has two screensAs fashion dictates, we find numerous physical controls. Under the touch display that floats above the dashboard we find a panel for dual-zone air conditioning, including roulette wheels that are already beginning to be conspicuous by their absence. The steering wheel multifunctions are also physical and have another panel next to the steering wheel on the left to manage the cargo hatch, the fuel tank or the electric trunk, among others.

Without having driven it, we already have the feeling of having everything at hand: in the central tunnel, two buttons allow you to directly activate the electric or hybrid mode. And with the central dial behind the gear lever, its multiple driving modes (including off-road) as well as descent control are selected. Design, comfort and functionality come together in this new Outlander.

Digital interior, connectivity and Yamaha premium sound system. The 12.3-inch Smartphone Link Display multimedia screen is combined with a digital instrumentation configurable in two views that is also 12.3 inches. It also has a fairly generous wireless charging platform in the central tunnel. And although it has a wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its system integrates a TomTom mapping browser with real-time traffic warnings.

In the sound section it also improves: mount a audio system developed together with Yamaha with surround sound that can have eight or twelve speakers. It also includes a subwoofer with dual amplifiers with DSP (Digital Signal Processor) from the tuning fork company.

Connectivity is not lacking either: in addition to connected services, it also has an intelligent assistant that understands commands in natural language to manage its systems. And from the brand’s app it offers remote functions such as alert notifications, opening and closing doors, pre-climatization, controlling charging or car locator.

The package of assistance systems new Mitsubishi Outlander It includes radar-based emergency braking to detect pedestrians and traffic jams, active rear cross-traffic braking, blind spot detection, active lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition or camera fatigue alert.

An ECO label that promises good work on and off the asphalt

In this new delivery with plug-in hybrid mechanics, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV It improves on its predecessor: it is 72 HP more powerful and almost doubles its electric range. It sits on the CMF-C/D platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance on which, for example, the Nissan X-Trail also does.

They are gasoline engine is still a 2.4 liter atmosphericwhich now produces 136 HP and 203 Nm. It is combined with two electric motors: the front signs 85 kW (116 HP) and 255 Nm and the rear 100 kW (136 HP) and 195 Nm. Again it is an all-wheel drive PHEV and is managed by an automatic transmission.

With these ingredients, the total power of the new Outlander is 302 CV compared to the 230 HP it offered before. Its maximum torque is set at 400 Nm. This mechanism moves a total of 2.7 tons: its maximum speed is 170 km/h (limited to save battery energy) and it accelerates from 0 to 100 in 7.9 seconds.

Almost 90 km of electric range. The two electric motors of the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid take their energy from a 22.7 kWh battery. It has significantly more capacity than the previous one (13.8 kWh), which allows it to extend its range between charges to almost double: approved 86 km in mixed cycle for the previous 45 km. The heat pump that integrates its system also helps to stretch this range, an element that we do not always find standard even in electric cars.

The Outlander’s PHEV system offers three driving modes: modo EV (only electric motors operate), Hybrid mode (always drives electric except when more power is required, for example when accelerating uphill) and Parallel Hybrid mode (gasoline and electric ones operate automatically at driving demand).

It also includes, as usual, regenerative braking, which is given priority by the ECO mode of the specific driving modes. As a good PHEV, it approves very low consumption: combined, it is set in 0,8 l/100 km. Its emissions are 18 gr/km of CO2. Regarding the charging times according to the charging post, Mitsubishi does not provide data at the moment.

A plug-in hybrid with an off-road soul. One of the main claims of this plug-in hybrid SUV is its S-AWC all-wheel drive. This is Mitsubishi’s latest generation 4×4 system developed based on its experience in off-road rallies.

Thus, it promises good performance off the asphalt and has specific offroad driving modes, with a total of seven: Normal, ECO, Power, Asphalt, Gravel, Snow and Mud. These modes are selected from the central wheel, which also includes a button to activate descent control.

However, Mitsubishi points out that it has worked to improve the driving comfort of this SUV. The new suspension scheme reduces the hardness of the springs and shock absorbers and its double-pinion electric power steering has been adjusted to facilitate maneuvers, in addition to improving its response at medium and high speeds.

On sale in March

In fact, the fourth generation of Mistubishi Outlander It has been on the market for some time in Japan or the US, but had not yet been launched in Europe. With its first restyling it has made the leap into the Old Continent and It will be sold exclusively in plug-in hybrid format.

Mitsubishi Spain details orders to take over the services of the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which will open at the beginning of March next year, but at the moment the brand has not announced its price.

With the leap in technology, materials and approach, added to now much higher prices, it is understood that it will far exceed the 35,800 euros from which this great SUV started in its PHEV option. Its main rival, The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in starts at 51,500 euros o at 47,500 euros with the current offer applied.

The Toyota one has a very similar power (309 HP), its configuration is also 4×4 with two electric motors and AWD-i all-wheel drive. They also look quite similar in design, with that elongated front and flat roof. The logical thing is that the Outlander moves in this price range to be able to compete head to head with it.

Like the rest of the Mitsubishi models, the Outlander will enjoy five years warranty and a specific eight-year period for the traction battery. It is one of the car brands that offer the most guarantees since they exceed the mandatory three years.