Mitsubishi sweetens pot for Outlander PHEV

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is the only hybrid CUV model of its kind and it might change the landscape of Mitsubishi Motors.

The Outlander PHEV is a perfect choice when it comes to entering the alternative fuel market without going all in, as Mitsubishi Motors did with the less desirable Mitsubishi i-MieV (can we say a flop?).

It took some time, with the Outlander PHEV first being sold overseas, but once it did make it to these shores’ consumer reaction has been lukewarm, with sales averaging less than 300 units a month. Now with the model year quickly approaching 2020, as well as new concepts from the Diamond Star brand, like the Engelberg Tourer and the alliance with Renault / Nissan, the Outlander PHEV will need some serious help to stay viable.

During the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, Mitsubishi debuted the Engelberg Tourer concept. This is another PHEV one hopes will enter Mitsubishi’s lineup. Whether or not the concept will see reality is left to be seen. The automaker has been toying with many ideas, such as the e-evolution concept and redesigned Lancer Evo, so it’s anyone’s guess which will get the most focus after the dust settles.

Around the same time, Mitsubishi unveiled the Dendo Drive House (DDH), an eco-friendly house designed to absorb energy with solar panels and then use that energy to power the house and even one’s automobile. Stating that such houses can get the equipment and battery installed by the end of 2019, Alliance Ventures (a funding campaign Mitsubishi Motors is a part of with Renault-Nissan) invested with Mobility House. Just like the DDH, the goal of The Mobility House is to create a zero-emission energy and mobility future. The Engelberg Tourer was the obvious choice during the demonstration to use with the DDH during the demonstration at Geneva, but if this concept doesn’t come to pass, the next best choice is the 2020 Outlander PHEV.

But the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV shouldn’t be the “next best choice”, it “should be the best choice.” In order to do that, Mitsubishi Motors needs to sweeten the pot. So, the 2020 Outlander PHEV will be offered with a new premium interior package, specifically for the new GT model. Offering a more sumptuous appearance, the new package is a great choice for consumers who want some higher-class styling. At a $42,920 window sticker, the Outlander GT PHEV is still more expensive than say, a premium Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD. Our Outlander SE S-AWC came in at a far more reasonable $29,825.

Also added to the 2020 model year is a new red diamond premium exterior color. A new Mitsubishi power sound system is standard on the GT trim, and consumers can get a new second-generation Smartphone-link Display Audio system on the GT and SEL. The SEL also gets some upgrades in 2020 with safety, adding Forward Collision Mitigation, Automatic High Beams, and Lane Departure Warning.

So maybe the new 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV isn’t just the next best choice after all.

What’s new for 2020

One would think that being absorbed by the large Nissan-Renault conglomerate was a path of no return for the once mighty Japanese brand, but the “Diamond Star” automaker is proving everyone with that particular mindset wrong.

Not only is it now a partner with naming rights with a major global player in the auto industry, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, its global sales have started to grow exponentially in spite of axing the Lancer in 2017. Mitsubishi Motors North America even achieved a 14 percent growth rate in the U.S. alone compared to 2017 when 103,686 new Mitsubishi models found their new homes.

The Lancer nameplate is still alive, though only in China, where it languishes as an underpowered compact family hauler. But as mentioned beforehand, the Lancer Evo (the only model which really counts) may be making a comeback, and if we’re lucky, wearing a new suit.

Mitsubishi’s U.S. sales account for roughly one-tenth of the company’s global sales and show strong growth and potential. With 118,074 units sold here during 2018, the Japanese company is enjoying its best period since 2007 after which the economic crisis cut sales by almost 60 percent over a two-year period.

The company’s global sales have surpassed the psychological 1-million-unit barrier for the first time in a while as well. In 2017, the Japanese brand marketed 1,026,000 vehicles worldwide and achieved a 3.5 percent growth rate compared to the previous year for the first time in this decade. This is a healthy basis for the future which still looks uncertain, but at least it isn’t as gloomy as it used to be after the emissions scandal shook the company in 2016 which saw the automotive giant gobbled up by the Nissan-Renault alliance after company shares halved in value.

2020 Outlander

Starting from around $25,000 for the SE, the Outlander crossover is currently the least expensive compact crossovers in its segment, especially as a third seat model (Note: the PHEV does not have the third seat because of battery storage). It’s also the best-selling model in the lineup with 41,818 of them finding new homes in 2018. But unfortunately, it’s the largest SUV in the Mitsu lineup, with no model, such as the Endeavor, to fight for the mid-size real estate.

This is actually the Outlander’s best result since the compact’s inception back in 2002. The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander will be a carryover despite the fact the current generation dates back to 2013. After all, the compact recently received a slight refresh for 2019 which gave it a new frontal facade, standard 18-inch wheels, and some mild interior revisions. What’s more, all but the PHEV edition receive all-new steering and suspension which makes the Outlander more refined and quieter than before. All this is welcomed news for the aging model, but some issues continue to plague it. Advanced safety equipment is still scarce, and the interior feels more inferior and outdated than the competition from say, the Nissan Rougue and Volkswagen Tiguan. Performance is adequate but does leave a lot to be desired.

Speaking of performance, there are two gasoline internal combustion engines (ICE) and one hybrid powerplant to choose from. Most models receive a 2.4L inline-four engine with 166-horsepower and 162 lb.-ft of torque which again, feels inadequate for a vehicle of its stature. The larger 3.0L V6 with 224-horsepower and 215 pound-feet of force is a much better option, however it doesn’t come without problems of its own. Rated at 26 mpg combined (29/24 City/Hwy), it burns more fuel than it should and still doesn’t offer enough horsepower for seamless highway driving. We took the Outlander SE S-AWC down to Huntsville, Texas and back, and while this ‘ute managed to obtain a comfortable cruising speed, it still lacked the performance of the Nissan and VW. While the larger engine is offered exclusively with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 4-cylinder pairs with a CVT and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive being an option.

Economical

Finally, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV pairs a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with two 80-hp electric motors and a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a combined output of 197-horsepower and 22 miles of all-electric range, which is almost meniscal, considering the range of the all-electric (EV) Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf Plus or Prius Prime. But in consideration, those are lowly sedans (or hatchbacks), not crossovers. Moreover, this plug-in hybrid is rated at 26 mpg combined or 74 MPGe and stands out as arguably the best model the Mitsubishi lineup (in the U.S.) has to offer.

Standard driver-assist

The 2020 Outlander now comes standard with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation, and Automatic High Beams on SE, SEL, LE, and GT trims. Each trim now has a new Super All Wheel Control system paired with Active Yaw Control.

To make the Outlander more comfortable, the 2020 model has power lumbar support in the driver’s seat and better seat shapes for the second row. The second row also added a second USB charging port, meaning there are now three total USB ports in the vehicle.

The technology has vastly improved, thanks to a Smartphone-link Display Audio unit that is now eight inches and includes revamped HVAC control knobs. Furthermore, the new model says goodbye to the Rockford-Fosgate audio unit and hello to the new Mitsubishi Power Sound System. The 2020 model is removing the GT Touring and SEL Premium Packages. In addition, the headlight manual leveling switch is being dropped from the SEL touring and the GT that contains LED headlights. However, all the new upgrades, like the Red Diamond premium color, makes this a stop gap year until the next-gen model arrives.The 2019 Outlander has been a popular vehicle, winning its fair share of awards, including a Kelly Blue Book (KBB) award. For the new 2020 model, Mitsubishi has made improvements to ensure the latest model is the best yet. The 2019 model was once again an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the compact SUV with the accolade for the sixth year in a row.