It’s been a while since Mitsubishi had any big news, so they’re making the most of the 2018 novelty, specifically the arrival of a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (perfectly named PHEV). It’s the only plug-in hybrid. SUV in its elegance with all-wheel drive and the only one with fast charging. And it can travel up to 35 kilometers on electric power. It combines the ambient power of an electric vehicle, the capability of a crossover, and the versatility of an off-roader. Weather vehicle with Mitsubishi S-AWC or Super All-Wheel-Control.
The popular DC fast charging capability can reach up to 80% capacity in 25 minutes, an advertising base. At home, with its 120-volt outlet, it will be fully charged in 8 hours; Or part that time with a 240-volt outlet.
The new PHEV advances the generation of the small Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car. It uses two 60 kW high-efficiency electric motors fixed on the front and rear axles, to immediately send torque to the S-AWC’s 4-wheels. The synchronous electric motor that drives the front axle is smaller, lighter and stronger than that of the i-MiEV.
The Outlander’s PHEV formula has been tested and evolved in races such as the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2014 (prototypes took first and second place) and the Baja Portalegre 500 off-road rally in 2015. The petrol engine that is the engines (or not the engine?) is an effective 2. 0 litre.
The Outlander is known for delivering efficiency, convenience, and space, even taste and performance, at a lower price than the competition. It’s similar in length to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester, but feels more spacious inside. It seats up to seven people, with a small third row.
This generation disappeared in 2014 and was updated in 2016 with sleeker styling, better interior materials, more soundproofing, suspension modifications for ride and handling, and a larger, though still not smart enough, transmission. It was given Apple Car Play and safety improvements in 2017. . For 2018, the basic infotainment formula is updated with a 7. 0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity.
The base engine is a 2. 4-liter four-cylinder with 166 horsepower, mated to a frequently variable automatic transmission that is slightly adequate.
The Outlander GT is equipped with a 3. 0-liter V6 engine with 224 horsepower, but it’s not much faster than the four-cylinder. It accelerates from 0 to 100 in about 8. 0 seconds, which is slower than its rivals. However, it is increasing. Towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds and has a delightful exhaust rating.
Two all-wheel drive formulas are available. The entry-level Outlander ES has a locking center differential formula. Standard on the Outlander GT and available on other models, a formula with electronically controlled center coupling, an open rear differential, and an active front differential, but no low range.
The EPA rates the Mitsubishi Outlander at 25/30 miles consistent with gallons city/highway, or 27 mpg combined for the 2. 4-liter front-wheel-drive engine, while all-wheel-drive models with this engine are rated at 24/29/26 mpg. It is one of the cars with third-row seats with the highest mileage.
The GT, with V6 and all-wheel drive, 20/27/23 mpg, with Premium gasoline.
Driving fast on mountain roads, we got 21 mpg on the four-cylinder and 20 mpg on the V6, both with all-wheel drive.
The Outlander scores in all categories of IIHS tests, earning it the insurance industry agency’s Top Safety Pick honor. From the NHTSA, it gets 4 stars overall for front-wheel-drive models and five stars for all-wheel drive.
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in the form of the new PHEV, or in the form of the older ES, SE, SEL and V6 GT, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The PHEV is priced at $34,595.
The Outlander ES ($23,945) comes with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, a 140-watt six-speaker audio system, a second folding 60/40 row seats, 50/50 third-row split seats, forced locks, windows and mirrors; Rear underfloor storage, rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, 3 x 12-volt power outlets, USB port, 6. 1-inch touchscreen HD radio, rearview camera, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Outlander ES S-AWC ($26,445) features all-wheel drive.
Outlander SE ($24. 9455) adds satellite radio, Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It is also supplied with fog lights, heated seats and high-contrast instruments. The Outlander SE S-AWC ($26,945) with upgraded all-wheel drive.
The Outlander SEL ($26,145) has leather seats, a remote forced liftgate, and a Rockford Fosgate audio formula with satellite radio. The SEL also has a force-adjustable driver’s seat, force-folding mirrors, roof racks, gloss black interior trim, a dimming self-rearview mirror and a universal garage door opener. The Outlander SEL S-AWC ($28,145) has all-wheel drive.
The Outlander GT 3. 0 S-AWC ($32,245) gets the V6, the 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio formula with nine speakers, heated steering wheel, automatic LED headlights and LED fog lights. The GT Touring package adds the Multi-View camera system. Forward Collision Warning with Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warnings and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Options come with a DVD player in the rear, remote engine start, and other charging solutions. Available protection features include lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. All of these elements can be brought in combination in the mid-range SEL, as well as 3 new features: blind spot monitors, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Mitsubishi’s designers call its shape the Dynamic Shield. We call this a generic gesture that has a tendency toward the awkward. These designers claim that the styling derives from the appearance of the side bumper guard that existed on generations of the Montero SUV, which we remember. like a chrome molding in the shape of fangs. Mitsubishi says the Outlander doesn’t have a bad angle. It’s not a bad look from the looks, but they shouldn’t look it in the face.
The cabin is highly functional and one of the quietest in its class, but it’s not exactly harmonious. The low dashboard is undeniable and refreshingly undeniable; There’s a lot of detail here, and the design and finish are understated. It is sober, modest, warm and welcoming. Even if some might think so.
The interior fabrics are just as stylish as competitors like the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Escape.
The driving position is excellent, with supportive front seats and low cushions that are long enough for tall people. Unlike many crossovers in this class, the second row doesn’t feel flat or hard and is comfortable enough for adults. But only one child will have to climb to third place. Even tall teenagers can just stare at their laps.
The second-row seats fold down in 3 steps: fold the headrests forward, lift the lower cushion and place it opposite the front seat backrest, then fold the backrests forward. You can’t slide the second-row seats back and forth as you can with some other 3-row models.
The PHEV’s battery sits under the rear seat subfloor and doesn’t sacrifice any space or invade the cabin.
The second and third rows fold elegantly, creating a very useful cargo area with a low loading height. There are small side compartments right in the wheel arches, as well as a small underground garage compartment that can hide a laptop.
The Outlander is rarely meant to be sporty or fun to drive, and it’s not. It is comfortable and indifferent to the road. But it’s a simple, comfortable crossover, an easy-to-use crossover that inspires confidence on that foundation.
It’s underpowered by the 2. 4-liter 166-horsepower engine, and the CVT is too slow to respond. It follows a logic that keeps gears safe under acceleration, is indecisive on long inclines, and is slightly sufficient for this seven-passenger vehicle that weighs 3,500 pounds. .
Mitsubishi has worked to make this unit more responsive and quicker to adjust gear when overtaking, and the CVT aims to lessen some of the navigational feel of the engine that comes with many CVTs by holding gears for a brief period of acceleration. The net effect is that, although it seems comfortable and effective in occasional use and at low speeds, it hunts a bit in the hills.
Outlander GT models use a V6 with 224 horsepower; It’s much thirstier and needs a lot of fuel. To add to the disappointment, it doesn’t increase the torque much until you turn it. At least the puloadle-style paddle shifters and 6-speed automatic gearbox liven up the driving a bit.
Along with the engine and all-wheel drive, there’s an Eco Mode button that only uses front-wheel drive until the front wheels genuinely turn. The mode also softens the throttle reaction and uses the air conditioning compressor more conservatively.
The guidance of the electric force is exact and firm, and perhaps too centered.
The S-AWC manages Active Yaw Control (AYC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control (TCL). The driving force can press the 4WD dual-motor LOCK button to simulate the locking of a medium differential and optimally distributes torque to all 4 wheels for improved traction and stability.
The Outlander has more off-road capability than most other cars in its class. It should be noted that Mitsubishi Motors was once a leader in rallies and Paris-Dakar forays through the desert. The Outlander’s all-wheel drive and suspension are perfectly up to the task of navigating the roughest gravel roads or trails on your way to a trailhead.
The all-wheel drive that can be had in the ES is basic, with 2WD, 4WD and Lock modes (the latter a locking center differential). The all-wheel-drive SE and SEL models use a more complex formula; the GT is popular with it. It uses an electronically controlled center coupling, combined with an open rear differential. This formula also has a separate active front differential to help achieve the proper torque distribution depending on the conditions, helping to overcome some exceptional conditions, such as when a wheel is on ice.
The new PHEV uses a closed lithium-ion battery with 80 cells in series to produce three hundred volts and a maximum garage capacity of 12 kWh. It is classified by regenerative braking; Even during deceleration without braking (inertia), electric motors act like turbines to send speed to batteries. The driver can choose the level of regenerative braking by using the paddle shifters on the idler wheel to slow down the CVT.
The PHEV selects one of 3 drive modes for optimal functionality and efficiency. EV driving mode uses all-electric power. Series hybrid mode kicks in when the remaining power in the battery is low or when acceleration is required. It uses electricity and gas. In parallel hybrid mode, the petrol engine drives the front wheels, while the electric motors step in to get more power, such as on the highway or uphill.
The driver can also choose between three modes: eco mode, battery saver mode or battery charging mode.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has proven its worth, although it’s not very exciting with weak powertrains. However, the new PHEV is worth checking out if you’re interested in a plug-in hybrid crossover.
Sam Moses contributed to this report.