Mitsubishi Adds PHEV to 2023 Outlander Lineup
Since its introduction, Mitsubishi sold 300,000 Outlander PHEVs worldwide. It became the best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV in many markets. In the U.S.A., the Outlander PHEV made quite an impact, attracting fleet and commercial customers to its charm.
This vehicle alone was cited as one of the reasons Nissan invested into Mitsubishi to find ways to add the plug-in hybrid architecture into their electrification strategy.
A year ago, Mitsubishi introduced their newest generation of the Outlander three-row SUV. It was a matter of time when they would add the PHEV driveline to this highly acclaimed vehicle.
For 2023, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets a larger 20 kilowatt-hour battery that is good for a 38-mile all-electric range. This is a major improvement over the outgoing generation model. All told, this should yield up to 420 miles of total combined electric and gasoline range.
Charging can be done through a standard Level 2 plug, or a 50-kilowatt CHAdeMO DC fast Charging port. Using the latter, the Outlander PHEV can charge up to 80% in 38 minutes.
The gasoline engine has been upgraded to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The Outlander PHEV receives a larger 14.8-gallon tank. Mitsubishi claims that it should get up to 64 MPGe rating. All models will get a new version of Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system using the gasoline engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor sending power to the rear axle.
In the previous generation model, Mitsubishi installed a higher quality interior inside of the Outlander PHEV, along with some exterior upgrades. For 2023, only the PHEV badge and the charging port door opposite of the fuel tank door are the only differences between the plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine models on the outside. A different instrument cluster screen is another indicator that you’re driving a PHEV, as well. This brings the combined power rating to 248 horsepower.
A huge change from the previous model is the addition of the third row that is standard on all other Outlanders. Mitsubishi configured the battery to fit below the floor between the wheels to allow for a full seven-passenger configuration.
Mitsubishi is already taking orders for the 2023 Outlander PHEV with pricing starting from $39,845. The first units should arrive by November of this year.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
