Mitsubishi updated the Outlander extensively for the 2023 model year. The whole range got better inside and out, including the PHEV model. The plug-in hybrid will hit the roads in the U.S. and other markets this November, wearing an initial price tag of $39,845, excluding destination fee, which will vary according to the area.
For instance, the PHEV destination fee for Hawaii and Alaska is $1,470, whereas the models arriving on the mainland are a little less expensive with a $1,345 charge. With the destination fee, the price varies between $41,315 and $41,190.
When Outlander PHEV came, we knew it offered 54 miles (87 kilometers) of all-electric range, which is calculated on the lenient European test cycle. However, the EPA estimation is a lot lower at 38 mi (61 km). That said, Mitsubishi claims this Outlander hybrid SUV can cover around 420 miles (674 km) of distance on a full tank and battery charged.
Regarding the powertrain, the SUV features a 2.4-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol mill, assisted by two electric motors (one at the front and the other at the rear axle). The hybrid powertrain creates 248 horsepower (184 kilowatts) and 332 pound-feet (450 Newton-meters) of torque.
It is a 27-horsepower boost over the outgoing Outlander PHEV. The 2023 model uses a 350-volt, 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that is 40% more efficient than the previous, offering 80 per cent recharge in only 38 minutes (on a DC fast charger).
Other changes to the Outlander include a bigger 14.8-gallon fuel tank and the automaker’s Super All-Wheel Control system. The engine and one electric motor send power to the front wheels while the rear motor spins the rear wheels. The plug-in hybrid model also employs Mitsubishi’s Active Yaw Control.
The PHEV is an expensive model compared to the petrol-powered, entry-level Outlander, which costs $26,995 (without the destination fee). Although the Outlander PHEV is a lot pricier than the standard model, customers are still more interested in hybrid. Mark Chaffin, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, said, “We can’t wait to start delivering on that excitement,” and he believes the PHEV is the “pinnacle” of Mitsubishi’s engineering.
The new Outlander PHEV comes with the same design as other models in the lineup. The interior styling for PHEV and non-PHEV models does not change either, except for the hybrid-exclusive readouts.
The 2023 Outlander PHEV will arrive at select US markets first in November 2022, while nationwide sales will start later. The local launch in the UAE is still not confirmed, but we expect the new Outlander here at the start of next year.
Source and Images: Motor1