Name: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014–2021) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mitsubishi Outlander
Rating: 64.0

Summary

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a medium-sized SUV/crossover that is powered by a combination of a 2.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. It was on sale in the UK from 2014 until 2021, and for most of that time was the county’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle.

The plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander was by far the biggest-selling version of the model in the UK. There was also a regular petrol model available, but those sold in tiny numbers and are not covered here.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV received mostly average to good reviews from the UK media during its production life. As of September 2021, when Mitsubishi withdrew from the UK market altogether, it had an Expert Rating of 62%.

The Outlander PHEV received praise for its low running and ownership costs, but was criticised for falling behind the best vehicles in its class for comfort and driving dynamics.

More Mitsubishi Expert Ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized SUV/crossover
Engines: plug-in hybrid (petrol/electric)
Price: From £36,755 on-road

Launched: Spring 2014
Last updated: Summer 2018
Discontinued: Autumn 2021

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

“Whether you feel the need to go electric to help the planet or you’re simply looking to cut costs, it is hard to ignore the Outlander PHEV.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Score: 6 / 10
“The petrol-electric drive system really is the Outlander PHEV’s major selling point, because in all other respects it’s not the most modern SUV and it can’t match rivals for quality or driving dynamics.”
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Autocar+

Score: 8 / 10
“The ownership factors are particularly impressive: it carries a five-year warranty, Mitsubishis have a good reputation for reliability and the tax advantages, especially for company car drivers, are hard to overlook. Given that it’s also a decent drive, it looks a wise buy.”
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Car+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but then again it didn’t need to. Ironically while it originally landed at a good time, it’s more relevant now than ever before as the push for plug-ins intensifies.”
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Carbuyer+

Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a popular plug-in hybrid SUV with a 30-mile electric driving range. It can be very cheap to run, but is also starting to feel a bit dated.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“You’ll buy the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for its good fuel economy and cheap road tax, but it looks very dull inside and you need to have somewhere to charge it regularly.”
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Honest John+

Score: 8 / 10
“Mitsubishi has found a very useful niche with the Outlander PHEV by offering this much space in such tax-friendly fashion, which could well be enough for plenty of company car buyers. However, those advantages are declining and the Outlander lacks charm and flair.”
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The Sunday Times+

Score: 7 / 10
“Improvements lift compelling package, but it’s still far from desirable.”
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The Telegraph+

Score: 6 / 10
“A vast improvement in driveability doesn’t turn this useful and nicely built family hybrid SUV into a Ferrari overnight, but it’s much better than before even if rivals outdrive the Outlander.”
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Top Gear+

Score: 6 / 10
“It’s brilliant. But only up to a point. Pity. It could be so much better…”
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What Car?+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV makes a tempting company car, but its ride and refinement let it down.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2013
Date expired: January 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 81%

Notes on safety rating

The Mitsubishi Outlander was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2013 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2020 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Outlander to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 2.4 PLUG-IN HYBRID 4X4 CVT

Overall score: 2 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 3.9 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 4 / 10

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid received a two-star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. Green NCAP said: “A 2.4-litre petrol engine is coupled with two 60 kW electric motors, one for each axle. The driver is offered a wide variety of driving modes including pure electric and battery-charge sustaining.

“Green NCAP’s tests were conducted in these two modes and the results combined in a way that represents how the car might typically be used, based on the available electric range. Because of the relatively low range, the rating is biased more towards the petrol mode than the electric one. In all three areas of assessment, the Outlander scores only modestly.

“Overall, with a rating of only 2 stars, the Outlander disappoints, with performance that is no better than many non-electrified competitors.”

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 95
Average repair cost: £704.09
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a better-than-average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the most recent Outlander generation and previous (pre-2014) version.

Around a third of all reported problems with the Outlander relate to its braking system, although the average repair bill is only about £300. Other areas to look out for are the suspension and electrical systems, although the average bills for these are again fairly low. Be aware of engine problems, however, – although rare, they are expensive with an average repair bill of more than £1,700.

If you’re looking at a used Mitsubishi Outlander, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.