New Outlander What You Need to know -    • 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Review -  W...  
New Outlander Long Term Update -    • 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC //...  

There are HUGE changes in the powertrain department. First off under the hood we have a 2.4L gas engine that gives you 131hp and 144 lb/ft then we have a front electric motor that gets a 34hp bump up to 114 hp and a rear that gets a 44hp increase to 134hp up from 90 hp.
But wait there’s more, we have more giddy ups we need a larger battery which is 45% larger so we go from 13.8 to 20 kWh.

Another big change is the new PHEV is now equipped with a heat pump and because of that, under average temperature, it will not have to rely so much on the engine temp to provide climate control. I did say average so when it gets really cold out like close to zero, you’ll find that the gas engine may kick on more often especially at start up. I experienced all different weather conditions while testing this PHEV from below zero temps to double digits and just like any EV, the colder it gets, the range will get lower which is why this is a very good test because if it was summer or if you live in a warmer climate, your mileage is going to be better for sure.

Speaking of range, the official EV range is 61 kms however when you look at the computer, the number it provides is an average based on your driving. Eg. If you’re crawling at 30 mph in traffic for a long time, its going to get better efficiency and your number will be higher, maybe even more than 61 however if traffic picks up and your doing 100kms then it’ll go down.

Ive been driving mostly in colder weather so starting with a full charge I’ve gotten over 60kms of range however did burn a little fuel just at the beginning for about 4-5 min I guess to warm the engine not only for heat but for efficiency and emissions.

My fuel economy varied but with a flat battery, I averaged 6.2l 100/kms 38 US MPG. On one leg of a drive I averaged only 3.5 l/100kms, the reason, we climbed the ski mountain and on the way down I was able to Regen quite a bit of range back into the battery. Its quite fun because you have the paddles behind the wheel, pull the left one for 5 settings of Regen, pull the right to decrease so I just increased it when my speed increased and if I was slowing too much I just decreased to keep my momentum.

While we're on the Regen topic, here a new little button here beside the EV mode selector and that’s the Innovate pedal, press this you get one pedal driving however it will not come to a complete stop. Its handy around town or if you have a nice road with some curves and you want to maintain nice smooth rhythm, this is how you’ll do it without touching the brake and putting electricity back in.

So Brian how does it drive? Well after driving the gas Outlander for the past year, the PHEV does not disappoint. I predicted that it would pick up some of the off the line slack its gas only sibling as and it sure does. Whether you have charge in the battery or not, off the line torque is so much better due to the electric motors. The ride feels more planted most likely due to the extra weight from the low slung batteries.

I have to ask, anyone who has a PHEV, are you constantly trying to get the best efficiency? I’m telling you, I love watching my trip computer and especially the energy flow screening trying to be always get the best mileage. Theres so much going on but its like an orchestra of input, output, driving the wheels, Regen and its all very seamless.

Sometimes it operates as a series hybrid so the gas engine actually just works as a generator to supply power to the battery which in turn powers the motors, sometimes as a parallel hybrid which the gas engine will supply power direct to the front wheels and use electric assist with the motors and of course often it just runs completely off the battery and this will even happen when your battery is even showing empty. I guess there’s always a reserve. You’ll see this often when you're under light load even at speed on the freeway.


There are now 7 different drive modes for different conditions including a new POWER mode. Select this and it really wakes the Outlander up, perfect for higher speed passing or just when you need more power. This new version will make a run to 100 km/h from a stop 2 seconds quicker than the first gen.

Timestamp:
00:00 Best Selling PHEV SUV in the World
01:00 How Does it differ from the Gas Version?
02:17 It has a Third Row Now
03:09 Big Changes in Powerplant
04:35 A new Heat Pump
4:55 When Does the Gas Engine Start?
5:15 Real World Conditions
8:26 How to Regenerate More Power
11:02 Seven Drive Modes Including POWER Mode
14:00 Driving with a Flat Battery
17:03 How long to Charge plus Level 3 Charging
17:57 Evolved S-AWC All -Wheel Drive System
19:09 Description of Different Trims and Pricing
23:17 Very Family Friendly
23:38 How's the Third Row?
24:15 Really In a Class of its Own