The facelifted Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV came out in the Old World in 2018, but the New World had to wait until now to get the same range of updates.
The old 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes room for a larger 2.4-liter unit rated at 128 PS (126 hp / 94 kW). The front electric motor continues churning out 82 PS (81 hp / 60 kW), while the rear one rises to 95 PS (94 hp / 70 kW). The cumulative output equals 224 PS (221 hp / 165 kW) and 332 Nm (245 lb-ft) of torque.
Battery capacity goes up from 12 to 13.8 kilowatt-hours, extending the electric range from 35 to 39 kilometers (21.7 to 24 miles) and improving the top speed in electric mode from 127 to 134 km/h (79 to 82 mph). Combined-cycle fuel efficiency is 73.5 MPG, or 3.2 liters of gas burned every 100 kilometers on average. A full charge is attained within 4 – 14.5 hours depending on the source. Using a CHAdeMO charging device enables replenishing 80% of the battery within 25 minutes. The curb weight is 1,925 kg (4,244 lbs).
At $36,295, the starting price is unchanged, but the larger battery makes the new Outlander eligible for a larger $6,587 federal benefit, saving buyers $751 more than before.
The reasoning behind the delay actually makes sense when you consider that Mitsubishi had sold around 270,000 Outlanders in 2013 through 2020, including over 185,000 units in Europe and a meager 4,774 units in the States in 2019-2020. It is obvious that the North American market was never a priority for the model.