First Drive: Mitsubishi’s Outlander
Plug-in hybrids are moving the game on in the war against excessive fuel consumption. Mitsubishi’s new Outlander hybrid isn’t the usual high-price, early adopter-friendly offering, as it boasts a sensible money price tag and real world versatility
What’s new?: While Mitsubishi’s latest Outlander offers a pleasingly revised and refined ownership experience, this model is a little different as it’s a plug-in hybrid variant. Mitsubishi might not have the same track record as the likes of Toyota when it comes to hybrid motoring, but this Outlander hits the ground running with boasts of 100-plus mile fuel economy figures and ultra low CO2 ratings.
Mitsubishi has opted for a petrol-electric setup, which is claimed to offer high levels of refinement along with the low running costs associated with petrol motoring. The car’s 2.0-litre engine partners with two electric motors – one at each end – to drive the Outlander. All-wheel drive performance is retained despite the absence of a propshaft, while the car can automatically channel power where it’s needed, such as a front-wheel drive mode for undemanding urban duties.
A press of a button transforms this Outlander into a surprisingly capable 4×4, proving no less able than its diesel-powered stablemates. This activity-focused approach continues inside, where there’s ample space for five in the practical cabin. The hybrid hardware has resulted in the removal of the regular car’s third row of seats, but the upshot is a flat, wide load space.
Looks and image: The Outlander’s streamlined exterior is a welcome change to the usual rough and rugged theme demonstrated by many of its rivals. It’s not all for looks alone, as this approach makes the Outlander a slippery beast – something that should help with its overall economy performance.
Famous more for purposeful off-roaders and turbo-nutter rally replicas, Mitsubishi doesn’t have much of a track record when it comes to alternatively fuelled transport. Thankfully the engineers in Japan have caught up quickly with the more switched on European car makers, and the Outlander PHEV is a surprisingly accomplished first attempt.
Space and practicality: If the only complaint is that you sacrifice the regular Outlander’s third row of seats to make way for the hybrid hardware, then Mitsubishi has little to worry about. The car’s cabin is spacious and practical; there’s ample oddments storage space, head and legroom fore and aft plus that previously mentioned wide, flat load space. The Outlander’s durable but classy cabin materials should easily resist the rigours of family life, while the powered tailgate is a nice, practical touch.
Behind the wheel: In real terms the hybrid Outlander behaves a lot like a regular model, although the quiet running on electric power is something of a giveaway. It’s an easy car to drive irrespective of the power source in use, and the beauty of the hybrid is that it takes care of everything irrespective of the road conditions. The regenerative braking can be dialled up so you almost don’t need to touch the brake pedal – a useful characteristic for urban driving, although it does take a bit of getting used to.
What’s also clever is this Outlander’s off-roading skills, as the two electric motors work together to deliver a total-traction experience akin to that of a diesel Outlander but without the need for a bulky propshaft. Keeping you informed is a clear and colourful display detailing the car’s various systems, from which way the energy is flowing to reams of data outlining fuel economy and eco performance.
Value for money: Plug-in hybrids aren’t know for being cheap, but Mitsubishi has dealt a blow to the opposition by pegging the Outlander’s price to that of the comparable diesel-powered model. There’s a small line-up boasting good to generous levels of kit, while the main attraction for business users will be the car’s tax efficient properties: low running costs, zero congestion charge rating, ability to offset the car’s cost against business activities. Factor in the potential ability to commute on electric power alone and charge up on low cost electricity, and the hybrid Outlander starts to make sense.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GX4hs, £34,999
Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit plus twin electric motors producing a combined 200bhp
Transmission: Single speed transmission with electric motors driving the wheels
Performance: Top speed 106mph, 0-62mph in 11.0 seconds
Economy: 148mpg combined
Emissions: 44g/km of CO2
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