You may remember the Chevy Volt, which was an electric car without the wait — or the anxiety.
It had a small gas-burning engine as well as an electric battery and motors. But unlike all other hybrids, the gas engine was almost exclusively an onboard generator that burned gas so the driver didn't have to stop (and wait) for a charge. The Volt was propelled by its electric motors, just like an electric car — for about 50 miles. That's about how far it could go on a full charge. But the Volt could go much farther because its gas engine kicked on to replenish the charge as you drove.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid works similarly.
It can travel on battery power, just like an EV. But it doesn't have to stop for a charge when its battery runs low because it has a gas engine that keeps you going (and charges the battery as you go).
When you have the time, you can also plug it in for a charge, just like an EV.
Without the hassle of having to wait.
What It Is
The Outlander is a compact-size crossover with a standard third row and seating for up to seven. The plug-in variant can go about 38 miles on a full charge, which may be enough range to get where you need to go (and back) and thereby use very little (or even no) gas getting there and back.
Prices start at $40,345 for the ES trim, which comes standard with 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control and a six-speaker audio system.
A top-of-the-line Platinum trim stickers for $50,345 and comes standard with two-tone Black Diamond and silver paint, a panorama sunroof, three-zone climate control, a premium nine-speaker Bose audio system, heated leather seats and a larger (9-inch) LCD touch screen. This trim also comes standard with DC fast-charging capability — a feature that other hybrids don't offer.
Other trims can be recharged at home using either "Level 1" (120V) ordinary household-type outlets or "Level II" (240V) dryer-type outlets.
What's New For 2024
Other than the new Platinum trim, the Outlander plug-in hybrid is unchanged for the new model year.
What's Good
An EV — without the hassles of owning an EV.
Standard third row folds into the floor, minivan-style.
420 miles of range doesn't cost extra.
What's Not So Good
Just 38 miles of EV-only range.
Once the charge is depleted — and the engine comes on to keep you going — your gas mileage goes down to about 26 mpg.
Fast-charging capability is optional (and uses a CHAdeMO charging port, which doesn't work with some fast chargers).
Under The Hood
There's a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the Outlander PHEV's hood — the same basic engine that's under the hood of the nonhybrid Outlander. The difference is that in addition to sometimes powering the front wheels, it also indirectly powers the rear wheels by generating the electricity that powers the motors that exclusively turn the rear wheels.
When the 20-kWh battery runs low on charge, the 2.4-liter engine replenishes it so that there is always power enough to keep the rear wheels turning. And so long as there's gas in the tank, the front wheels will keep on turning, too.
You have a total of 420 miles of combined range, which is enough to eliminate any anxiety about range.
Combined system output is 248 horsepower, enough to get the plug-in Mitsubishi to 60 in just over 7 seconds.
On The Road
It's nice not having to stop and wait for a charge — and to be able to drive on a charge, when you have the time to wait for one.
Having options is always nice.
EVs don't come with those. You drive as far as the charge allows — and then you must wait for a charge. The problem is that takes more time than you may have, especially if you didn't plan ahead to have the time to wait. No such problems with the Outlander, which you can just drive — as you would any other car.
It's kind of fun to watch the Outlander's charge remaining indicator go down — because it doesn't matter. You can push it to see how far it can go on a charge, knowing there won't be consequences.
This Mitsubishi feels electric; it has "one-pedal" operation similar to that found in most purely electric vehicles. You can use the accelerator to go — and to slow. Just lift off the accelerator and the Outlander decelerates. When in EV mode — and assuming a full charge — it operates nearly silently, just like an EV. But when the gas engine comes on — whether to top-off the battery or to provide extra motive power when accelerating — it doesn't sound like an EV.
It sounds like it has an engine, which is pleasant — if you like the sound of something happening as you're accelerating.
At The Curb
The Outlander's about the same overall size as other crossovers, but it is styled to look more like an SUV — and its looks are backed up by some goods. In addition to the leverage advantage of the dual-electric motors, there is the advantage of about 8 inches of ground clearance and driver-selectable terrain modes.
Another advantage — one that's exclusive to the hybrid version of the Outlander — is a third row that stows as opposed to just folds, greatly increasing the Mitsu's cargo-carrying space without the hassle of having to physically remove the third row to carve out the space.
The Rest
All trims come standard with a 12.3-inch digital display instrument cluster, which includes an EV-esque charge/power gauge to the left of the speedometer. But ES and SE trims do not come standard with DC fast-charging capability. It's available in the SEL and Platinum trims only.
The Bottom Line
If you're interested in an EV but not interested in feeling anxious about range, this part-time EV could be the right EV for you.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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