The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Left the UK, Then Came Back to a Market It Helped Create
Both reviews open with the same striking backstory: Mitsubishi exited the UK entirely in 2021, and this car — the vehicle that arguably invented the mainstream plug-in hybrid SUV back in 2014 — is now leading its return five years later.
Coming Home to a Party It Started
Few cars can claim to have genuinely created a category. Reviewers keep crediting this one with doing exactly that, then note the slightly strange irony of it returning to a UK market now flooded with rivals it effectively inspired.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Plug-in hybrid family SUV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L naturally aspirated petrol + two electric motors |
| Total system power | 299bhp (UK spec) |
| Electric range | 53 miles official (22.7kWh battery) |
| 0–62mph | 7.9 sec |
| Warranty | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear praised the smoothly integrated drive and genuinely pleasant cabin, rating the Outlander PHEV as "an antidote to pretty much everything else of a similar size" and questioning why it ever left the UK in the first place. They found the acceleration progressive rather than lunging, unlike too many rival PHEVs that feel lethargic off the line before suddenly surging, and confirmed real-world economy drops to around 35mpg once the battery is depleted on a long motorway run — honest rather than the wildly optimistic official claims.
Auto Express
Auto Express rated the transition between electric and petrol power as remarkably smooth using an automatic clutch, and praised generous rear legroom thanks to a theatre-style seating arrangement that improves visibility for rear passengers. They flagged Mitsubishi's continued use of the ageing CHaDeMO charging standard rather than the now-standard CCS as a genuinely puzzling decision, and found the TomTom-based sat-nav system outdated, with overly sensitive driver-assistance alerts requiring a menu dive to disable every single journey.
Strengths
- Genuinely smooth, well-integrated hybrid power delivery
- Class-leading 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty
- Comfortable, spacious cabin with theatre-style rear seating
- Proven, dependable off-road-capable four-wheel-drive system
Weak points
- Outdated CHAdeMO charging standard rather than modern CCS
- Dated, sometimes confusing infotainment and sat-nav system
- Overly sensitive driver-assistance alerts need disabling every journey
- Bland, uninspired interior design
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely dependable, well-proven plug-in hybrid SUV and value Mitsubishi's exceptional warranty and off-road pedigree over the latest infotainment tech. Worth being aware of the CHAdeMO charging limitation if you rely on public rapid charging regularly.