Not for Us: Mitsubishi Gave the European Outlander PHEV a Larger Battery
Mitsubishi often feels like a forgotten brand in the U.S., but its Outlander PHEV is a solid SUV. The automaker is rolling out updates to the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Europe that bring a larger battery pack, but the changes oddly haven’t made it to the U.S.-bound variant for the 2025 model year.
Mitsubishi bumped the Outlander PHEV’s battery capacity from 20 kWh in the States to 22.7 kWh, which pushes the SUV’s electric driving range to 53 miles on the WLTP cycle. The Euro model is estimated to offer a 524-mile driving range combining gas and electric powertrain components.
That said, it’s important to note that the WLTP numbers are often more generous than EPA estimates, so those mileage estimates will likely change if the new batteries come here. In comparison, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV returns an EPA-estimated 38 miles on a charge.
The U.S. version offers a generous number of standard features, even without the larger battery pack. It comes with a digital gauge cluster, smartphone mirroring, and a good amount of driver-assistance tech. It’s also one of very few plug-in hybrid three-row SUVs on sale, though the back seat isn’t the most accommodating space. It also has a surprisingly nice interior and a reasonable starting price.
[Images: Mitsubishi]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
I own a 2019 Outlander PHEV in France. Because most of my driving is puttering around town, there are many days I never use gas. I am averaging 55 mpg with electric and gas combined. It is decently quik on electric only, but I don't drive particularly fast. We are only now getting the new Outlander PHEV and I will be looking at that vs the Ford Kuga PHEV, which is very nice. I am leaning towards the Outlander because 5 years with zero issues and still tight and solid goes a long way in my decision making.
Mitsubishi can read the news. With the new administration putting a muzzle on the EPA and telling the Energy Department to ''drill, baby, drill'', expect an increase in oil production and lower prices at the pump, keeping the ICE market in business. 32-cent gas in 1971 is about $2.20 today, even with higher gas taxes in many states.