The 3-row 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV name isn’t on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but for those shopping the plug-in compact crossover market, perhaps it should be.
The Outlander PHEV follows the 2022 gas version touting a completely new look that includes the addition of a third-row seat. That last bit is significant because competitors such as the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Kia Sportage PHEV, and Ford Escape PHEV have only 2-row seating. Adults will likely find Outlander’s third row a snug fit, but for kids, it’s bearable.
Each of the Outlander PHEV’s four trims comes standard with all-wheel drive (what Mitsubishi calls “Super-All Wheel Control” or “S-AWC”), a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, and two electric motors.
A 20-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides enough power to travel up to 38 miles solely on electric power. The Outlander PHEV gets around 26 mpg combined when not in electric mode, which lags most competitors.
Another advantage for Outlander PHEV is its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, one of the best in the industry.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES: $39,845
The entry-level ES comes nicely equipped compared to similarly priced competitors.
The ES’s standard driver assists include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor.
A quick walk around the exterior reveals LED headlights with washers, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, variable intermittent front wipers with de-icers, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, power side mirrors, and a rear wiper/washer. Remote keyless entry comes standard but requires manual key fob operation. You’ll need to move to the SE trim if you want a system that lets you unlock the doors by touching the handle.
Due to the placement of the battery in the back and the 3rd-row seat, the Outlander forgoes a conventional spare and uses a tire repair kit instead.
Climbing inside the cabin reveals a modern design with several upscale touches, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a push-button starter, and Mitsubishi’s drive mode selector with settings for Normal, Power, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud.
Cloth fabric covers the seats, which include a manually adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support and a 40/20/40-split folding second-row seat with a folding center section. The 50/50-split folding third-row seat is just there for quick trips and not someplace you’d want to spend a lot of time. We suspect most buyers will prefer to leave it folded and take advantage of Outlander’s generous 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Rounding out the ES amenities are a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, rear seat air vents, dual-zone automatic climate control, an electric parking brake with auto-hold, and two front USB ports (one Type-A and one Type-C).
A 6-speaker AM/FM radio connects to an 8-inch color touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. You’ll get a 90-day trial period to SiriusXM All Access and a 2-year trial to Mitsubishi Connect with Safeguard and Remote Services.
With the $1,345 destination fee, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES costs $41,190. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $740. See 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES models for sale near you
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES includes:
- Rear automatic emergency braking – The Outlander’s rear parking sensors can detect when a collision is about to occur and activate the brakes to help prevent it.
- Windshield de-icers – Heating elements at the base of the windshield help keep snow and ice from building up on the resting wiper blades.
- Power lumbar support – The Outlander driver’s seat includes 2-way power lumbar for better lower back support.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE: $42,145
Considering the modest price difference between the ES and SE, we’d skip the ES and go right to this trim. It offers features we think customers want, including additional driver assists. The SE also opens to door to a few optional package upgrades.
Adding to the ES content, the SE brings LED fog lights, power-folding heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a hands-free power liftgate. The FAST-key keyless entry system adds touch-sensor handles for locking and unlocking the doors and liftgate.
Additional driver aids include adaptive cruise control with stop/go and Traffic Jam Assist, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. There’s even intervention technology for the blind spot and lane-departure warning systems to nudge the car back into its lane.
The SE interior gains synthetic leather upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat, one-touch up/down power windows, heated front seats, and two rear-seat USB ports.
A 9-inch color touchscreen replaces the ES’s 8-inch unit and includes navigation and a 360-degree Multi-View monitor with moving object detection. SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link come standard with a 90-day trial period. Also included are HD Radio and a wireless charging pad.
Optional on the SE is the Tech Package, which adds a 9-speaker Bose audio system, a panoramic glass sunroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
With the $1,345 destination fee, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE costs $43,490. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $781. See 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE models for sale near you
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE includes:
- Adaptive cruise control – This system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, with the ability to slow and even stop the Outlander should traffic come to a complete halt.
- Multi-View monitor – With cameras at all four sides, the Multi-View monitor shows a 360-degree view outside the car and can even be used to display a bird’s-eye view when parking.
- Hands-free power liftgate – Got two arms full of groceries and no way to reach the key fob? No worries. Just kick your foot under the rear bumper to open the power liftgate.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL: $45,445
The SEL ups the Outlander’s luxury quotient, adding features like leather upholstery, a memory driver’s seat, tilt-down-in-reverse side mirrors, and 3-zone automatic climate control with a rear seat control panel.
The EV system gets a bump with DC fast-charging capability that reduces the 10%-to-80%-charge time to just 38 minutes.
In SEL trim, the Outlander PHEV also gains silver roof rails, an 8-way power passenger seat with memory, heated rear seats, manual rear-door sunshades, LED interior lighting, and two 1,500-watt outlets (one in the back seat and one in the cargo bay).
An optional Touring Package brings a 9-speaker Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and a panoramic glass sunroof.
The Premium Package includes the contents from the Touring Package plus semi-aniline leather seats, quilted synthetic leather door inserts, and massaging driver and front passenger seats.
With the $1,345 destination fee, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL costs $46,790. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $841. See 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL models for sale near you
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL includes:
- DC fast charging capability – When using a DC fast-charging station, the Outlander PHEV’s battery can be brought from a 10% charge to an 80% charge in less than 40 minutes.
- 3-zone climate control – This system includes a rear control panel giving second-row passengers more say over their climate settings.
- Available Bose audio – A big improvement over the stock system, the Bose upgrade includes nine amplified speakers that bring even the most sedate music to life.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 40th Anniversary Edition: $49,995
This special anniversary edition celebrates Mitsubishi’s 40th year in North America. The 40th Anniversary Edition builds off the loaded SEL Premium Package, then adds unique Black Diamond paint with a bronze roof.
With the $1,345 destination fee, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 40th Anniversary Edition costs $51,340. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $923. See 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 40th Anniversary Edition models for sale near you
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 40th Anniversary Edition includes:
- Massaging seats – The Outlander’s massaging front seats improve blood flow to the legs and back, reducing the fatigue and stiffness that often accompany long trips.
- Head-up display – Projecting pertinent information onto the windshield helps drivers keep their eyes on the road.
- Heated steering wheel – A push of a button is all it takes to heat the steering wheel rim quickly, making it more comfortable to grip in cold weather.
This was a great and clear write up on the trim differences, the kind of info I looked quite a bit for on Mitsubishi’s website but couldn’t find. Thanks for this!