Living With The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Better than Rav4 Prime? (POV Binaural Audio) 

Longer than my usual videos but there was A LOT to to discuss. I hope you appreciate the details and that it gives some insight into a decision if you're in the market for a PHEV.

People love to hate on Mitsubishi but I can't help but root for them. Especially when they actually seem to be trying to release some quality cars.

This is probably the most intelligent and insightful review I've ever seen on this vehicle. I bought one 2 months ago and absolutely love it. Please allow me to mention a couple of other features that were not mentioned in the video. It has two 1500 watt AC outlets 1 in the middle row and one in the back, it has a kick liftgate, it has a very cool heads up display that you could see on your windshield in the video, it's all-wheel drive, it has double pane glass to keep the cabin quiet, and it charges in 6 hours on level 2. It is an absolutely fantastic vehicle!

Work at a dealer with a small Mitsubishi satellite store and I was SHOCKED when I first got into an outlander. Interior is wayyyy nicer than you’d think and our mechanics say it’s the vehicle they see the least problems in

Thanks for the review! -- I bought my 2023 Outlander PHEV (SEL Premium) 4 months ago - local dealer (Columbus, Ohio - USA) had 7 Outlander PHEVs on the lot. They now have 11 on the lot with great sales deals. I got mine for $1,200 UNDER MSRP and the dealer gave me $31,500 for my 2018 Acura TLX -- I paid $18,000 plus tax for the Outlander. I have driven 4,356 miles - have used 32 gallons of gas total. I am plugging it in every night for my daily commute and weekend errands. I have taken 2 road trips of 300 miles round trip each; got 37 “mpg” using “Normal” hybrid mode for these trips. It feels "luxurious" inside -- premium leather, panoramic roof, 360 camera, power folding side mirrors, heated steering wheel, heated front AND rear seats, hands-free tailgate, head up display, Bose speakers AND massaging front seats! If I take a longer drive, I will have no "range anxiety." Plus, the Outlander has a 10-YEAR WARRANTY. ONE BIG NOTE: the owner's manual clearly states that the 3rd row is ONLY for people under 5' 3." I do not need a 3rd row, so I "tri-fold" it. This opens up a HUGE, DEEP storage well. And, I can stack duffel bag items on the folded 3rd row! The RAV4 Prime may have better overall mpg, but the 18-month wait and $12,000 "dealer adjustment" are outrageous. One local dealer wanted $65k for loaded Prime with MSRP of $52k. I did not consider Kia or Hyundai brands -- "Kia boys" have stolen 3,000 of them in my area (and assaulted drivers in the process). This is a real issue. Lastly, my home solar panels were installed 2 months ago. I got a level 2 charger in my garage 3 weeks ago. The Outlander PHEV is the PERFECT choice for me in 2023 --- availability, luxury, value and price -- a great vehicle to "step into" electrification!

This video opened my eyes to this car. I’ve been thinking about getting a PHEV as a daily and this seems to fit my needs very well. Chargers at office ✅ Short commute ✅ Desire for cargo space ✅ Takes multiple long road trips per year ✅ Only thing I didn’t hear about was a heated steering wheel and I’d like cooled seats for the summers which this doesn’t have .

As a 2018 Outlander PHEV Owner I highly recommend the new Oulander PHEV. The only comprimise over the RAV4 is the ride quality - but only slightly. Even if they were the same price Outlander is much more reliable - Mitsubishi is one of the biggest companies in Japan and Globally (top 10) for many decades. Sound system is also better in the outlander too.

Just got a new 2023 outlander at the dealership with 8k in rebates!! Toyota dealerships don't even have Rav4 Primes available in my area... you gotta order it and pay the dealer like an extra 5k in commissions. The 2023 outlander feels like a luxury vehicle on the interior... it has so many lux add ons. I'm obsessed!

I can honestly say, I dig the new Outlander. I looked at one at the Mitsubishi dealer in town, and for what it is and how I remember Mitsubishi as a kid, they’re dang nice. I’d love to see the new Triton come here to the states

The inside of this car is a perfect mixed of analog and digital I love it so much!!

You realise you're not getting full power in Normal Mode? Put it in Tarmac or Power and you get the full output - it transforms the car. The power and traction you have coming out of corners is almost frightening.

It's amazing to me that the same company that made the Mirage also makes this

Just a note I saw in a review I want to add, the recharge mode is pretty efficient, it will use about 3L to charge the battery from empty to full in about 40-50 minutes. This has the potential to really help your fuel economy if you dont have the possibility to charge it while on a road trip, getting half the battery charge for 1.5L at 1.70$ a L will be better than using the gas engine with a depleted battery at 9L / 100km ( based on the 61 km with a full battery) since this come up at 6.6L / 100km

You can alter the "feel" of the brake pedal by changing regenerative braking setting, B0 to B5.

Great video Tedward! You cover so much in these videos. I really like the rear design and interior of this car so much. I saw the X3 in the background which I’m curious about whether that is Tedward’s favourite daily suv🧐🧐😀

I am a 2023 sel touring mitsubishi outlander owner. The only thing that makes Rav better is more power.. apart from that, mitsubishi outlander is the best in all,comparing interiors, exteriors, features and comfortability.

Enjoyed your video. And yes the people at Mitsubishi are very nice. I bought a Mirage 3 months ago & I love it.

My friend has this and I went in his car before and I have to say it’s so spacious in the back and front and very well designed

I think the point of dealer markups is very important when looking at these vehicles nowadays. I was looking to purchase a Toyota recently and i couldn’t find a dealer that didn’t want unneeded mark ups on the vehicle I was looking at and I had to go for another option from a different company. MSRP seems to no longer matter to many dealers unfortunately.

Great video. Are we going to get any more therapy drives? I really love those!

Love the format... thanks for the detailed info.

Thanks, Ted, for this interesting and engaging clip. Thanks for putting it up for viewing. Australia doesn't get the RAV-4 Prime, so our decision is relatively easy. Just watching and listening to your words, it seemed to me that the Outlander has a degree of charm or likeability that the RAV-4 misses-out on. I drove an Outlander over the weekend and the recurring thought was "this is _really_ nice!" I ask - if you have the time to provide further information, what would its acceleration times be like from say, 50 to 80 mph. This is a common overtaking speed (despite being solidly illegal in much of the country) for me. I have some information that indicates above around 70-ish acceleration slows dramatically.

Nice review & thanks for the details ... though there are few things I felt could have been different or included. 1) Under the hood NISSAN is wrong statement only thing Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance worked together is tech but the actual powertrain, s-awc and engine of Outlander PHEV is completely owned by Mitsubishi. 2) Not sure if you have driven with B0 it does works in different altogether you can coast at same speed on a flat roads. In this mode you will see brakes/regen work bit different feel. 3) Its not CVT engine just a single speed motor doesnt have any variable transmission, most of the times engine acts as generator and in hybrid mode at higher speeds it may connects to front wheel to assist 4) Official MPG number are way vague numbers than in reality , I consistently got 5.4 to 6.6L/100 i.e. 42 to 35MPG on highways speed on the other hand EV mode I am getting 80 to 100KM range. Even on ChaDemo with 30 mins charge i get 66KM range which at 75% battery. 5) Last but not least Top selling SUV PHEV in the world with IIHS Top Safety Pick+

I love this car I wish I had it, still learning how to drive my dad's Mercedes ML 320

I hope you have tried the tarmac mode of this car in order to fully experience the handling capability of the outlander.

Wow...that interior looks fantastic.

Appreciate the comprehensive review! Only sat in the Outlander, I couldn't manspread and my leg was at an odd angle to get to the gas pedal, so it was a no-go for me and I left disappointed as I really like the look of it.

Also, you can use the down flappy paddle to increase the braking. If you want to maximise your fuel economy, you should use the down flappy paddle, instead of the brake pedal, except when you want to come to a complete stop, shouldn't you???

I would definitely have this over a RAV4- what it doesn't offer in range and performance it makes up for with luxury and style, and it offers significantly nicer trimmings than the RAV4 at a similar price point.

We got a mid-tier trim outlander (2021 model?) as a rental a little while back. I had forgotten Mitsubishi even made cars anymore. It was fairly capable and somewhat comfortable, but was hilariously slow. Putting the CVT in "sport" mode just meant it would sit at 5k RPM for 15 seconds straight trying to get to 60mph. It was probably because that trim level was just underpowered or didn't have a hybrid assist motor. The sport trim at the time only had 168hp with the 2.4L. No wonder it was a slug

The eclipse , Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, Lancer Evolution and the 3000 GT were amazing cars from Mitsubishi

I'm kinda glad to see this is pretty decent. Was a huge fan of them when I was younger, but obviously they're a lot different than they were even in the 2000s and I tend to give them shit due to how boring they are now. Since they're a "smaller" company (still Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, they're doing fine overall), I like seeing that they can hold up to a giant like Toyota.

I have a 2022 Outlander Sport GT, I wish it came with this style of steering wheel. The wider variant steering wheel would’ve been ideal, More grip and confidence.

Nice video!

Very nice reviews.

Great review. I actually get nearer 100km ev range, I think Mitsi has been very (pleasingly) conservative with its range estimate. I have zero regrets with my 2023 outlander phev

I love our Outlander, but I find the ride a bit harsh. I'm wondering if swapping out the 20" wheels for 18" with bigger sidewalls would make make the ride a little smoother.

I bought my SEL 2023 for $44K, when Toyoya wanted $50+ for regular RAV4 which I hated. Prime was probably around $60K+, with no test drive and long wait.

Glad you mentioned how one of them is impossible to get and the other is easy + has an extra row. I also found it to be listed for 20% cheaper than the rav with a lot of the rav top features on the base model, so its not apples to apples. But I guess things have changed. mine charges off a wall outlet in 8 hours. Idk what's going on with your wall outlets. Also every model has the Chadmo charger, even the lowest model. Unless they stopped that? You under electric only launch seemed really slow for some reason. I reach 80kmph is almost no time at all in normal mode. If you drive with no charge it gets 6.5L/100km Charge mode and save mode forcibly connects the engine to the road on the highway, which is more efficient. Your car is built differently, it took me a bit to notice.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the interior on this thing, however, i dont think its a $50k vehicle. Then again, when the RAV4 Prime is getting marked up out the waxoo, maybe this starts to make a little more sense.

Is engine longevity a concern with PHEV vehicles? It seems like their gas engines are often going straight from off to high power output. Usually with gas cars I let it warm up before giving much gas.

I think the level 2 charge time is a bit of a deal breaker with this one for someone who takes multiple local trips per day. You can charge a Tucson PHEV, which costs less than this, in 70% less time (under 2 hours). And I would argue that it does everything slightly better. Hyundai turbo 4-banger likely sounds better than the Rav or the Mitsu. Similar to many cars these days that aren't Toyotas, Teslas or Hondas, I also feel like the Mitsu would suffer from depreciation. You can get a 2 year old (2021) version of this with 16k miles for under $30k currently. So that means about $1/mile depreciation on that particular vehicle-not very economical despite fuel savings. I would def lease one of these instead of buying, would likely end up paying about $0.60/mile over 2 year, 20,000 mile lease. Current lease deal in Boston area on an SE is $299/month for 24 months with $4k down. And only $0.25/mile extra if you go over the mileage. I don't know that Toyota will even lease out a Rav4 Prime.

I still lost gas and I got home with 2 miles of battery left am I doing something wrong?

How the heck did you get it to stay in EV power only when you really stomp on it? Mine always kicks the gas engine on once the EV power level gets to the top even in EV mode. I'm in sunny Los Angeles, so I don't think cold weather is the issue. Great review by the way!

I'm not sure about this, but isn't the Mitsubishi a true 4WD, with roughly 50/50 split between front and rear axle power and torque, whereas the Toyota is mainly front wheel drive, with a small motor on the back axle? i.e. the split on the Toyota is closer to 80/20????

I don't understand why it's STILL so hard to get an MSRP Toyota. Makes me not want one even if I could get one. What are they pulling?

Beautiful suv love Phevs, just bought a Chevy Volt !

Loved the commentary on the CVT! It's not supposed to be fun and engaging, you guys, it's supposed to deliver max power at any speed and that's the beauty of it. I hate it when manufacturers have the simulated gears even when you're just in drive and not in "manual mode". I know it's not as cool sounding as a manual or an automatic with actual gears, but it's the theoretical best transmission for max acceleration!

The dashboard looks like my Mitsubishi Xpander Cross CVT, but it’s blue color

I want that one. You put some miles on it so it should be considered used. 😂

Nice review, I would like to know though, which max. weight this Outlander can pull. Is it any good in that respect?

Up in Canada here you can't even GET a Rav4 Prime....and even if you do manage to get one, they are charging 10 grand over MSRP + a 2-4 year wait (if they will even deliver it) For the Outlander PHEV....if you know where to go, you can get MSRP. Don't settle for anything over that as some dealers are trying to charge in the range of 7-10 grand over MSRP...OH and THEY ARE IN STOCK!!!! I got my 2024 Outlander PHEV GT last week and OMG....300 Km driven so far and only two little notches of actual gas used. Everything else on electricity (big city driving and small commutes makes this perfect). So far, my gas milage is sitting at 4.2 l/100km (yes...the gas engine comes on to heat up the interior since it's cold here...but showing me at a full charge...83KM)

interior is more nice in Mitsubishi, but electric range is better in Rav4 Prime. Question what will give more happiness in the long run - better interior or better range?

Is that not a nissan on the inside?

Very good overall look and feel of this car. Could you compare it to the Kia Sorento?

Is this car worth it without the PHEV range?

Is there any other PHEV out there that has DC fast charging? That seems pretty unique!

nice explanation

Does it come with a spare tire option like Rav4 Prime ?

I've heard from owners that this projector on the windshield does not support the display of turn arrows on the navigator if you have connected your phone (CarPlay, Android auto). Is it true? Why did not they implemented that? You always use your phone, not the built-in navigation.

Outlander PHEV has no mechanical transmission therefore it’s actually extra difficult to make fake gears 😂. The engine is mated directly to a generator.

The front of this looks like a rogue because it is a rogue. Both cars share a chassis

wonder what the fuel use is to charge the battery

They need to figure out their front-end styling. The globs of lights on the sides is a big oof. Shockingly nice interior though! I guess it has to be for the price.

chAdemo port is there on this vehicle for its Vehicle to load capability rather than fast charging

Wow in Australia the rav is ,56k to order and the outlander 77k!

The Outlander makes sense if you really need the third row or if for some reason you just like it. On a practical level, the Prime has much better efficiency in both EV mode and the HV mode. It is lighter and has more horsepower so I'm guessing that makes a big difference. We don't have a Mitsubishi dealership nearby so it's not an option around here. Interestingly the Outlander is the only PHEV that completes with the Prime for EV horsepower. But it's much heavier so I'm guessing it's not as satisfying.

On car gurus, ive noticed many of these are listed 2-3k under their 50k msrp and some have been sitting on dealer lots for 100+ days, some closer to 200 days. Those that have bought one, what kind of deals are you getting? Would i be able to snag a sel for around 40k?

Tedward, curious to what watch you are wearing?

i sat in a new rav4 it was a base model but i really didnt like it compared to my gfs forester

Nice car...❤💯

So close…yet so far. As the owner of a 2021 Rav4 Prime, I was looking at this PHEV because I prefer the interior and driving technology of the Mitsubishi with the superior mechanical AWD system compared to Toyota’s i-AWD system. But the MPG’s of this PHEV in hybrid mode is almost 15 miles less than my Rav4 Prime. That’s unacceptable in my view. Also, the exterior styling is an eyesore (especially the front end) and it will not age well in a few years. The lack of a spare tire is also a negative.

Isnt it just a rebranded nissan rouge?

Great review. But your home voltage isn't 110V. It's 120V. Electricians know.

what are the wheel pallets for?

You can get a 2 year old used one for under 20k after $4k used ev rebate at a qualied dealer.

19:31 PT Cruiser towing lmao

Engines with CVT transmissions sound like they are giving away so much power they scream like "I'm a monster RRAAAAAAA"...

The only New mitsubishi that i like

I looked at this model earlier this year when I had to find another car after mine was totalled but I'm sorry the front design is horrible, I could not see myself driving this thing. It's sad because the side and rear are great.

These are basically a Nissan Rogue, correct? But made in Japan, not like the Rogue.

One of the most sought after cars the Prime rav 4 and Toyota can`t make them fast enough really bad management when they loose sales to other

My man has a GT Premium but thinks it's an SEL, no wonder it feels so premium🤣

The steering fit better on triton 2024

"zero fuel"...not so fast! The vehicle requires a 20 litre top up of petrol about every 3 months. If you only do short city driving you may have an issue.

Hate it. But the price is right, gotta give them credit for that

I had a non-PHEV outlander base model as a rental a few years ago. It was the generation before this one. I gotta say, I hated it. Drove poorly, incredibly slow, interior quality was abysmal, and no android auto / Apple CarPlay in model year 2020. That being said, this one does look A LOT nicer. I’m glad to see the improvements. The Rav4 prime needs competition!

It's crazy that this car requires a hood prop when my 2006 saturn doesn't

Why does the enfotainment screen look like the Nissan pathfinders screen.

Remember when Mitsubishi got rid of the EVO, their bread and butter? Pepperidge farm remembers

that outlander is really nice, but it's partially owned by Renault and Nissan, Jatco makes the transaxle, it's a sibling of the cvt from nissan, and any car centric person knows how great a jatco cvt is..

Remember this same family company owned made all of WW2 zero combat naval airplane that attacked Pearl habor and all the Pacific ocean campaign battles.

My dream PHEV car to get.

Mitsubishi cars are so nice and extremely reliable.

A Mitsubishi at msrp? I remember when they have you deeeep discounts and 1% interest for 60 months, lmao

That speed of charging on chademo is bad. It is a small battery. Most EV battery only vehicles will charge in less time to 80% on type 2 charging. Chademo is old tech.

I prefer the RAV 4

Ill take the Mitsubishi over the Rav4, yes the toyota will last longer but the Mitsubishi is so much more comfortable and quiter

the only downside of this car is the temperature sensitivity of the battery pack, like with any other hybrid. in my opinion, this is the future of cars, not pure EV.

I didn't even know Mitsubishi still sold cars in North America until I saw a new Outlander a few weeks ago lol