~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

Any buyer hankering for a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL plug-in hybrid—not unusual given its combination of luxury, style and upscale appearance—could save a chunk of money by simply seeking a well-kept, low-mileage 2023 model.

That’s because the two versions are practically identical twins. The main difference is that the 2024 model has a price tag that is about $950 higher than its 2023 sibling to account for some embellishments.

Either way, however, you can’t go wrong. The Outlander stands out among compact crossover sport utility vehicles. Its classification is distilled purely from observations by critics and reviewers because the Environmental Protection Agency, which monitors things like size and fuel economy, has just two for SUVs: standard and small.

If the Outlander were a car, the EPA would classify it as “large,” based on its interior volume, including passenger and cargo space. As an SUV, with 131 cubic feet of total interior room, it is simply considered “standard.”

That doesn’t take anything away from the Outlander’s considerable package of desirable elements. Start with the power train. It’s a plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to two electric motors. In concert, they deliver 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels.

That’s enough for a zero-to-60 miles an hour acceleration run in the six-second range for the 4,750-pound Outlander, along with an EPA hybrid fuel economy rating of 64 miles per gallon equivalent. Running on the gasoline engine, with the battery pack depleted, the combined city/highway rating is 26 miles to the gallon.

The all-wheel drive system, dubbed S-AWC, continuously collects steering, wheel slippage, acceleration and braking information and uses it to send the torque, or twisting force, to the wheels that can use it the most.

The Outlander is a three-row vehicle, though the interior space is not particularly generous, especially in the third row. Two passengers up front and three in the second row are not likely to gripe, but the third row should be reserved for athletic youngsters.

Because almost everyone’s initial reaction to a new motor vehicle focuses on design and styling, the tested 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC PHEV has an instant leg (or wheel) up on competitors, which include the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50. It has sophisticated exterior styling, with triple-deck headlights and other fillips that give it a brawny yet appealing appearance.

Inside, the styling appeals as well. Quilted and perforated leather upholstery is accented with contrasting stitching. Welcome features include a hands-free power lift gate, adaptive cruise control, and a center touch screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. There’s also wireless device charging, a premium Bose audio system and a power panoramic sunroof.

Standard safety features include automated emergency braking with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist.

The tested Outlander SEL, a top-line trim, came with a base price of $47,740, including the destination charge, which is close to the average price for a new car these days in the United States. With $4,095 of options tacked on, including the tester’s snazzy Red Diamond paint with a black roof, the bottom-line sticker came to $51,835.

With its practical/luxury orientation, no prospective owner should expect an exciting, sporting experience. The Outlander is all about quiet competence and capability. On Interstate highways, it cruises quietly with a resilient ride and handling that is responsive enough to defeat the dullard drivers.

However, it’s no sports sedan for carving tight corners on twisting mountain roads. But it exudes a planted, confident feel as long as you don’t push it too hard.

Though knowledgeable older Americans associate Japan’s Mitsubishi with World War II and the company’s storied Zero fighter plane, the company now is a world-wide producer and manufacturer of an array of products and designs.

With the Outlander and its other vehicles, it also is taking a cue from the South Korean manufacturers Hyundai and Kia, which have become famous for their vehicle warranties. Mitsubishi has established itself in that territory by offering a five-year, 60,000-miles warranty on the Outlander, with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the power train.

Specifications

  • Model: 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC plug-in hybrid four-door, three row crossover sport utility vehicle with all-wheel drive.
  • Engine/motors: 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline with two electric motors; combined 248 hp and 332 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmissions: Single speed electric direct drive with continuously variable automatic for gasoline engine.
  • Range on electricity only: 38 miles; combined range 420 miles.
  • Overall length: 15 feet 5 inches.
  • Height: 5 feet 9 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 118/13 cubic feet. Cargo 36 cubic feet with third row folded.
  • Weight: 4,750 pounds.
  • Towing capability: 2,000 pounds.
  • MPG: Electricity/gasoline miles per gallon equivalent combined city/highway fuel consumption: 64 MPGe. Gasoline only: 26 MPG.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $47,740.
  • Price as tested: $51,835.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Mitsubishi