Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 06 June 2014
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may appear like a run of the mill Outlander, but behind the mask is the most technologically advanced Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the market.
‘PHEV’ stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and as the name implies it means the Mitsubishi can be fuelled by electricity from a domestic socket to power electric motors that are assisted by a petrol engine.
Twin electric motors each drive the front and rear axle separately, making this the only four-wheel-drive SUV plug-in hybrid obtainable, while the batteries allow electricity-only driving at up to 75mph.
Beyond that speed, or should the battery pack deplete to less than 30 per cent of its charge, a 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol engine instinctively kicks in. It acts as a generator to help the Outlander PHEV achieve a total driving range of around 500 miles on a full tank.
In addition to being the world’s first plug-in SUV electric vehicle, the PHEV is also the most fuel efficient four-wheel drive. That’s astonishing for a family-size SUV that tips the scales at a bulky 1810kg, and seats five in comfort.
World First
As a world first, the Outlander PHEV also has no direct rival. The closest is the Lexus RX450h, though it can’t be recharged via a powerpoint and can’t run on electric juice alone.
Befitting its premium status in the Outlander line-up, the PHEV is very well kitted out, with 18-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing auto headlamps, seven-inch touch-screen with satellite navigation and reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and seven airbags. The flagship GX4hs was driven for this road test and that comes with additional features such as adaptive cruise control, a forward collision mitigation system and lane departure warning.
If you’re used to a standard car, it’s going to be a weird experience the first time you lightly push the little joystick over to the right into ‘D’ and drive off in unnatural silence for the first time. Even sharp stabs of the accelerator produce the same amount of hush, though that has its rewards – the six-speaker audio unit is average, so at least there’s plenty of clarity in the tranquil cabin.
Pulling Power
The PHEV isn’t swift from a standing start, but terrific pulling power makes up for it once you get rolling. Initial acceleration suffers simply because of the 200kg mix of battery and electric motors that the usual Outlander doesn’t have.
When extra shove is needed for full-throttle acceleration or when elevated speeds are reached on the motorway, the PHEV seamlessly switches to parallel mode – when the petrol engine provides direct drive to the front wheels. Mile munching at high speed is unforced under electric drive, though unrelenting travel in this way can use up the battery quicker than the maximum range the Japanese automaker quotes.
When you need to recharge on the move, all you need to do is hit the ‘Charge’ switch behind the joystick, which fires up the four-cylinder engine to replenish the battery. A single charge via a powerpoint takes five hours, which could cost you next to nothing depending on the hours you choose to plug in to the grid.
Inside, it’s pretty much benchmark Outlander layout apart from the joystick-style selector and charging buttons. The tachometer has also been replaced by a power meter, which shows when you’re juicing-up the battery, using the battery, or running the engine.
In addition, the centre screen displays graphics such as how the power is moving around the Outlander via an engine-flow indicator, which also illustrates the quantity of battery charge remaining.
While there’s no shortfall of luggage space – at 463 litres – you do miss out on the third row of seats due to the modification of the PHEV’s platform to include the battery.
Game-Changer
Behind the wheel, body control is decent for an SUV of this weight as the Outlander PHEV profits from Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). This is a system originally made for the Lancer Evolution X that ensures maximum vehicle stability when cornering.
The Outlander PHEV has all the characteristics of a game-changer and even better, Mitsubishi Motors has recently announced that customers can choose between a diesel or PHEV Outlander for the same price.
The entry-level GX3h Outlander PHEV is on sale for £28,249 after the Government’s £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant. This is the same price as the Outlander diesel GX3 auto.
The GX4hs tested here is £34,999 (after the grant).
Local Dealer
Lincoln Mitsubishi Dealer: CHARLES WARNER Ltd, Outer Circle Road, Lincoln. LN2 4LD
