First Look: 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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A sure sign that the plug-in hybrid era is maturing is the ongoing debut of second-generation electrified models, featuring powertrain improvements, better efficiencies, and longer ranges. And when the top-selling PHEV in Canada the past three years undergoes this type of transformation, and more, it’s a big deal.

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The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was revealed today in Japan, and while the technical specs and trim levels reflect that home market, most of what was divulged also pertains to the units bound for Canada later next year as a 2023 model.

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We’ll start with the powertrain, which sees an increase in output thanks to a more powerful and efficient 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a larger capacity battery. The new gasoline unit, while the same size as the previous model’s, provides 131 horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque, an increase of five and four, respectively. Likewise, the two motors, mounted front and rear, also stay the same size but have increased their outputs to 113 hp and 134 hp, respectively.

That same-size-more-power theme continues with the upgraded lithium-ion battery pack, which offers 350 volts and 20 kWh of total capacity, compared to 300 volts and 13.8 kWh in the current model. Other battery improvements include an all-new cooling system that utilizes a so-called ‘heat sink structure’ that directly cools each cell with refrigerant; and a new battery temperature adjustment system that optimizes the battery temps while charging at lower temperatures (something very relevant for those Canadian winters).

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Which brings us to the million-dollar question of any electrified vehicle: what’s the all-electric range? Well, this is where the Japan specs leave us guessing a little. The Japan test for verifying EV range is called JC08, and according to that, the new Outlander’s PHEV range is 103 kilometres. We won’t have a Canadian rating — typically thanks to our EPA friends south of the border — until probably midway through next year, so all we can do is some calculations based on the outgoing model’s JC08 range — which is 65 km — in relation to its EPA rating — which is 39 km. Recalling high school math, that would equate to a 61.8-km all-electric range under the EPA guidelines for the new Outlander. If that is indeed the case, that’s very impressive and just a few klicks shy of the gold standard for PHEVs, the Toyota Rav4 Prime.

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As for charge times, Mitsubishi Canada reports a DC charge time of 38 minutes to get up to 80 per cent charge, and 7.5 hours using a Level 2 charger. And with the convenient charge-by-engine mode, an 80 per cent charge can be realized in just over 90 minutes when stationary.

What we can say with upmost confidence is that the overall range of the new Outlander PHEV will be much more than the 509 kilometres combined range of the outgoing model. All-electric range will increase for sure, we’re just unsure by how much, and with a bigger fuel tank — up from 45 litres to 56 litres — the gasoline range will also get a healthy boost.

One note on new fuel tank: it’s made of plastic for weight reduction and, obviously, is more rust-resistant than the former steel tank. That tank is located under the floor of the vehicle as part of an entirely new platform developed through the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Front body rigidity is increased, as is torsional stability, each adding not only to the safety of the vehicle but also improving handling and stability. The new Outlander PHEV is also lighter than the outgoing model thanks to swapping out steel for aluminum in the hood and plastic in the front fender.

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As expected, the exterior and interior of the new Outlander PHEV mimic the design language of its gas-powered stablemate, which underwent a major design overhaul for its all-new fourth-generation model this year. The most distinctive — and controversial — exterior change is in the front end, which sees a new grille configuration offset by massive headlight wells. Like that look or not, there’s little to quibble with in the new cabin design, which is exquisite and features higher-quality materials, upgraded seating for seven, and an all-new 12.3-inch digital driver display and a nine-inch centre console that is Apple CarPlay- and Android Auto-friendly, and unlike its predecessor, has built-in navigation.

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I’m currently doing a long-term test of the 2022 Outlander PHEV, and in my first instalment I pointed out a couple of issues, including the lack of onboard nav. The other was the myriad of buttons and switches required to select and engage the different drive modes, from EV-only to Sport to Eco. Clearly, I wasn’t alone in noticing this, as the new model has incorporated all the drive modes in a dial selector; and the EV modes into two adjacent buttons. Those drive modes include Normal, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, Mud, and Power, the latter harnessing all available power from the gas and electric motors for the best possible acceleration.

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Another welcome first for an Outlander PHEV is one-pedal drive mode, allowing the driver to accelerate and decelerate using just the accelerator pedal. In this mode the vehicle will come to a complete stop when you take your foot off the accelerator, making it ideal for driving in congested conditions.

Other updates include improved steering feel and all-wheel-drive control, a quieter cabin, larger disc brakes, driver attention alert, wireless phone charging, a traffic-sign recognition system, and a completely overhauled chassis. And updated driver assist technologies, including MI-PILOT, which among other things integrates adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to maintain the distance between vehicles and keep the Outlander PHEV in the centre of the lane.

We’ll certainly know more when we get a chance to get behind the wheel, hopefully in the spring, but from what was revealed today on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, there’s little to suggest that the new Outlander PHEV won’t continue to be a top seller in Canada in the plug-in hybrid category.