Mitsubishi launched a completely new Outlander for 2022, and now the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model is on the way. The latest Outlander gets a new PHEV powertrain with more power, more battery, and (we expect) more range.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a new 20-kWh battery pack that holds 45 per cent more energy than the pack in the previous model. Mitsubishi hasn't said how far it can go on a charge, but it should manage significantly more than the 39-km range Mitsubishi offered last year.
Both axles get new electric motors, enabling all-wheel drive. The front climbs from 80 hp to 114 with the rear to 134 hp from 90. On the rear axle, a new integrated motor control unit takes up less space and lets the Outlander PHEV get a third-row seat for the first time. Mitsubishi says the system allows better all-wheel drive response times, too, with drive going to the wheels that need it much faster than a conventional AWD system.
Gas power comes from an efficient 2.4L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. The company didn't say how much power it will make, but for reference, the old one made 126 hp. The electric motors are doing most of the work here anyway.
Like the standard Outlander, this new PHEV is much more luxurious than the model it replaces. The PHEV will offer massaging seats for the first time, as well as two-tone paint. A 9.0-inch touchscreen is standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital dash is standard, with multiple options for showing PHEV-specific screens.
Mi-Pilot Assist, Mitsubishi's highway driver assistance system that combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping is standard. It uses the car's navigation system to adjust speed for curves, intersections, and other road changes.
Production of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts in October, and the company expects vehicles in showrooms in November. Expect pricing, range, and feature updates in the fall.
You may also like
