New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2022 launch) to come with a 7-seat option

The plug-in hybrid variant of the all-new, fourth-gen Mitsubishi Outlander that went on sale in the U.S. has been revealed online. Pictures and a few details of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are available now. The second-gen Outlander PHEV will replace the first-gen model that arrived in the U.S. in 2016.

Design

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has all the same recognizable features as the gasoline model, but not without slight changes. Seeing how good the original design is, this approach will likely please most customers. It keeps the next-gen Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield front face and the bold proportions.

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The new Outlander PHEV has a special two-tone exterior with a contrasting roof and slapped a ‘PLUG-IN HYBRID EV’ badge on the front fenders. Sure, there’s the customary lid on the left-side shoulder hiding the charging port, but visual differences end there. Like on the gasoline variant, single-color paint options will be available, and the alloy wheels look the same.

The interior has the same design as the gasoline variant. The instrument cluster allows the driver to check the functioning and status of the plug-in hybrid system. It indicates the electric motor and petrol engine’s outputs, the level of charging being achieved from regenerative braking, the charging level, and more.

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20-inch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, 10.8-inch full-color HUD, 10-speaker Bose audio system, and MI-PILOT Assist (for semi-autonomous driving on single-lane highways) are some of the equipment highlights of the gasoline-powered Outlander which should be available on the PHEV.

7-seat option

A major drawback of the present-day Outlander PHEV is that it cannot leverage its large dimensions and accommodate seven passengers like the gasoline or diesel models. The all-new Outlander PHEV, however, has this covered. Three-row seating should be optional, though, with a five-seat version ensuring a lower entry price and suitability for customers who need cargo volume.

Powertrain

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV combines the 4B12 2.4-liter MIVEC gasoline engine with the S91 electric motor at the front and the YA1 electric motor at the rear. The engine produces 98 kW and 195 Nm of torque. The front electric motor generates 85 kW of power and 255 Nm of torque. The rear electric motor develops 100 kW of power and 195 Nm of torque. The source of energy of the electric motors is a larger, 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack operating at 350 volts. All of these are Japanese specifications, as the North American specifications aren’t out yet.

The 20 kWh battery pack provides an EV mode range of up to 87 km (54 miles) in Japan’s WLTC mode. That’s a significant improvement over the previous model’s 57.6 km (36-mile) EV mode range. In addition, the all-new Outlander PHEV should offer extended gasoline and combined ranges, as it has a bigger gas tank. Charging the battery pack takes approximately 7.5 hours using a normal charger. However, it’s possible to fast-charge to 80% SoC in just 38 minutes.

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Mitsubishi has equipped the front motor’s power drive unit with a booster function, which increases the supply of voltage to the front motor, offering improved performance, while also improving electricity consumption by raising the generator’s efficiency. The company has unified the rear motor with the control unit, and so, there’s enough room to add an extra row of seats. The company has installed the control unit on the outside of the passenger compartment, which should provide superior quietness inside the cabin.

Mitsubishi has applied a Lancer Evo-derived S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) 4WD system in the Outlander PHEV. However, the next-gen model uses an “evolved” or improved version. In addition to a braking control system for the front wheels, the updated S-AWC has a braking control system to control the brake forces of the rear wheels. It reduces the load on the front wheels and allows extracting the maximum performance from all four wheels in a more balanced manner. The driver can select from Normal, Gravel, Snow, Power, Eco, and two more drive modes.

A new feature many customers may appreciate in the latest Outlander PHEV is one-pedal driving. This feature could prove to be particularly useful during off-road driving or on snow-clad roads. In optimal driving conditions, customers will be able to use the company’s improved MI-PILOT single-lane ADAS technology on the highways. MI-PILOT integrates Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist, and it takes into account the navigation data to adjust the vehicle speed. It works even on curves.

Video Source: YouTube/Mitsubishi Motors Global

Release Date

Mitsubishi plans to launch the next-gen Outlander PHEV in Japan on December 16, 2021, and then in Australia and New Zealand in H1 2022. After launching it in these RHD markets, the company will release it in the U.S. between July 2022 and December 2022. While left-hand drive markets received the Outlander gasoline variant earlier, right-hand drive markets will get the plug-in hybrid variant first.

Mitsubishi has started listing the next-gen Outlander PHEV online in some markets, but the U.S. is not among them. In New Zealand, for instance, customers can register their interest online and make a reservation with a deposit of NZD 500. The launch will take place in early 2022.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Ralliart

Announcing FY2020 results in May 2021, Mitsubishi revealed that it is bringing back the Ralliart brand. Though the company said it wants to develop accessories and participate in motorsports with the rejuvenation of Ralliart, it is clear that their plan is to launch new Ralliart variants of their passenger models again.

In July 2021, a report from Best Car said that Mitsubishi planned to relaunch the Ralliart brand with a sporty variant of the new Outlander PHEV at the 2021 Tokyo Motor Show. With the show canceled, the company could be looking at alternatives to showcase the product. The Japanese publication reporting the sportier Outlander has come up with a stunning rendering if you want something to ogle in the meantime. Aero parts, large wheels, body-colored brake calipers, hood vents, larger air intake grille, side air inlets, it’s got it all!

2021/2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (current model)

Since the new Outlander PHEV is a while away, Mitsubishi launched a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, based on the older generation, in the United States in February 2021. A few months later, the company quietly brought it into the 2022 model year. The base price of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the same as that of the earlier Outlander PHEV – USD 36,295, despite the updated engine. The 2022 Outlander PHEV is USD 400 more expensive, costing USD 36,695 in the base trim.

Compared to last year’s Outlander PHEV, the MY2021 and MY2022 models are more advanced. Mitsubishi has introduced a 2.4-liter engine (in place of the 2.0-liter engine) and a 13.8 kWh battery pack (in place of the 12.0 kWh battery pack).

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs. 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (current model)

Aspect\Specification	2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Specification	2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Specification
Engine	4B11 2.0-liter MIVEC	4B12 2.4-liter MIVEC
Engine Power	117 hp at 4,500 rpm	126 hp at 4,500 rpm
Engine Torque	137 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm	148 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
Front Motor	S61	S61
Front Motor Power	60 kW	60 kW
Front Motor Torque	137 Nm	137 Nm
Rear Motor	Y61	Y61
Rear Motor Power	60 kW	60 kW
Rear Motor Torque	195 Nm	195 Nm
Drive Battery	12.0 kWh Lithium-ion	13.8 kWh Lithium-ion
EV Range	22 miles	24 miles
Combined Fuel Economy (Gasoline + Electricity)	74 MPGe	74 MPGe
Combined Range	310 miles	320 miles

The MY2021 update that brought a performance upgrade and a minor improvement in the EV range isn’t helping the aging Outlander PHEV increase its appeal in the U.S. market. Between January and September 2021, the Outlander PHEV registered 1,647 units in U.S. sales, a minor increase from 1,579 units in January-September 2020. Numbers may not get considerably better until the new generation with extensive improvements to the design, features, and EV range hits the dealer showroom next year.

Production of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander takes place at the company’s Okazaki plant in Japan. Mitsubishi has priced the 2022 Outlander in the U.S. from $25,795, and the 2023 Outlander PHEV could start at around USD 38,000.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV FAQs

Featured Image Source: Mitsubishi