- the updated 2021 mitsubishi outlander plug-in hybrid comes with a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine plus more battery capacity at the same base price of $37,490.
- the updated phev crossover is not based on the nissan rogue–based outlander, which is coming this spring as a 2022 model.
- the 2021 mitsubishi outlander phev is available in u.s. showrooms now.
the updated 2021 outlander phev might look the same on the outside, but just like our mothers used to say, "it's what's inside that counts." the updated phev gets a nice powertrain boost thanks to a larger 2.4-liter cylinder engine vs the previous 2.0-liter engine and a more powerful 70-kw rear electric motor. the updated powertrain has increased the suv’s output by 31 horsepower to 221 horsepower. mitsubishi added the extra power without padding the starting price which is unchanged at $37,490.
on the battery front, capacity has jumped from 12.0 kwh to 13.8 kwh, resulting in an increase in all-electric driving range from 22 to 24 miles with an epa-estimated 74 mpge and 26 mpg. charging is taken care of via one of two ports available on the vehicle, a dc fast-charging chademo port (a standard seen more often in japan) or level 2 charging port.
for those interested in traction in the winter, the 2021 outlander phev comes standard with mitsubishi’s s-awc all-wheel-drive system and two new modes: snow and sport. mitsubishi also announced a new le trim, starting at $39,190, that comes with a sunroof, blacked-out grille, mitsubishi power sound system, and dark chrome dual-spoke 18-inch wheels.
the updated outlander phev has some stiff hybrid competition. potential buyers will likely be pitting it against the impressive 2021 toyota rav4 prime phev starting at $39,275 and the non-plug-in 2021 honda cr-v hybrid, starting at $31,735.
it is important to note that this vehicle is not a plug-in-hybrid version of the new 2022 outlander (available in april 2021) that's been redesigned inside and out and uses the nissan-mitsubishi platform that also underpins the nissan rogue.
a plug-in hybrid version of the new 2022 outlander is expected sometime in the future, although its timeline to market is unknown. but for now, the 2021 mitsubishi outlander phev is available now in u.s. showrooms.