Used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Consumer Reviews
Used Outlander PHEV for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Comfortable, capable, affordable, electric SUV!
Chris, 11/27/2018
updated 11/23/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
99 of 101 people found this review helpful
We’ve had our Outlander PHEV for a month now and here’s my first impressions. There really isn’t anything else like it available in the United States... I guess it has been sold in Europe for several years (top selling SUV in the UK, Netherlands and Norway) but they sent them to Europe as fast as they could build them (and sold them for more $) so we just had to wait. There are several outstanding features to consider now that it is here: 1) Price: The well-equipped 2018 SEL model can be found in the US for $30K (perhaps less as the end of the year gets closer). With a $5,836 federal tax credit, I’ll end up paying ~$24K after tax returns are filed. Anything else on the market that can give you similar dedicated electric range, 4x4, and towing capability cost over twice as much. 2) Range: I’m seeing close to 30 miles of dedicated electric range, plus another 270 miles on unleaded. I’ve taken it on two long trips now where the battery is mostly depleted and it’s using the gasoline engine to keep a basic charge level on the battery and move us down the highway. I live in Utah, where there are long stretches of 80 MPH speed limit freeway. Driving from Salt Lake to St. George (~300 miles) with the cruise control set at 85 for the majority of the trip, we averaged 24.7 MPG. Granted, the 11 gallon fuel tank is on the small side for long trips like this, but that’s not really the car’s strong point (although 25 MPG is almost 10 MPG better than my last SUV). The dedicated electric option on shorter trips is where this thing shines though. My daily commute is 28 miles round trip, so I’m usually able to do it all on electric. (Your electric range does drop a bit if you run the heater.) I recharge it each night at home, so my first tank of gas lasted a little over 800 miles. It has become our go-to vehicle for the quick trips around town. We pay .11 a Kw and the on-board recharge cost calculator tells me it’s taking a about 80 cents each night to charge up. 3) 4x4: All wheel drive for winter driving, with a 4x4 lock button if you need to break snow drifts. I’ve only had it out in one storm so far this year, and just running errands around town, but it seemed sure footed. I’ll update this as we get further into the winter months. 4) Passenger/Cargo Capacity: Seats 5 comfortably, with plenty of cargo space left in the back. The standard Outlander has two small folding seats in the rear for a 7 passenger capacity, but they are omitted in the PHEV. This leaves you with lots of cargo space in the back, but it would be nice if they could find a way to put back in even one of those small rear jump seats. The seats you do have are comfortable enough. Front seats are both heated and fully adjustable via electric switches... these seats are standard even on the lower level SE model (which we own) and leather is standard as well. Fold down the rear seats and you have a little over six feet of flat floor cargo space back there. Automatic tailgate is also standard on the base SE model. 5) Towing Capability: The Outlander PHEV is rated to tow 1500 lbs in the US, but 3300 lbs in Europe. Same vehicle is sold on both continents, so I suspect the lower US rating has more to do with the number of lawyers here, rather than any actual engineering issue. I had the factory Class 3 receiver hitch added to our SE. That costs about $700, but well worth it to me to have the towing option. We have towed with it and found it stable and capable for the short, 20 mile trip we made with it. 6) Warranty: Mitsubishi backs up the drive train and battery with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Mercedes GLC 350e gives you 4 years/50K miles on the drive train, 6 years, 62K on the battery. Volvo XC90 4 yr/50K miles on both. Tesla Model X has 4 yr/50K basic, 8 year/unlimited mile powertrain. All considerably more expensive vehicles, each with their own range limitations. The exterior of the Outlander may be a little dated, but considering how most manufactures over-design the body on electric vehicles (looking at you Nissan) I don’t mind the unassuming nature of Mitsubishi’s offering... just another Outlander from the outside. From an engineering standpoint however, Mitsubishi has produced a unique vehicle here and perhaps it’s understated looks are part of the reason it has received so little attention here in the USA. It may also be that Mitsubishi isn’t a big brand here, being one of the smaller manufactures by sales in the US. I don’t work for Mitsubishi (or any other automotive company). I’m just a happy owner, who lives in an area that often has dirty air, and wish more folks new about this machine. One year later we are still very happy with it. No issues to report. Highly recommend the car. Update: Sold after three years to upgrade to a Toyota Rav4 Prime... same concept, more battery/capability. Never had an issue with the Outlander and still highly recommend it, just needed to tow more.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Superb Mileage and Performance for Daily Commute.
cvs, 01/12/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
44 of 45 people found this review helpful
I went to dealer on 30 december and trade in my Prius immediately. I was totally happy with the purchase and it has 5 braking modes which can stop the car by itself. It has three driving mode and if you are confused then dont select anything and the computer will do its job way better. The instant pickup is great (not like sports car). The mileage is good and it has better isulation and you dont see any road noise inside the cabin. I handles better in the corner and i am driving daily i am liking more and more. Keep in mind it is regular SUV and for daily commute. I go 20 miles one way daily.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for sale near you
Showing 3 of 10 listings
- SEL Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUVMSRP: $19,998305 mi away
- SEL Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,663484 mi away
- GT Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUVMSRP: N/A461 mi away
See all 10 listings
Once you do electric you will never go back!!!!!!!
PHEV_Mark, 03/28/2018
updated 04/07/2025
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
74 of 77 people found this review helpful
Ok, just test drive one. Once you slide into those leather seats and grab the shifting knob and roll your hands over her firm steering wheel then slowly ride her as she quietly drives with that electric drive....mmmmmm so nice. Have driven 3K miles in 2 months. A quiet ride and smooth. Easy to charge but takes getting used to hitting a button and nothing happens until you shift and give her a little on the pedal. I achieve 25 miles on electric only and forget about that 300 mile range. If it is city driving I have surpassed 500 miles on a single tank on hybrid mode. Regeneration is the key. Let her slurp it back up when she is going down....hill. Quick off the line but a little slow when you want her to run. I bought her to help me lower my carbon footprint and Protect our Winters. My hope is that many find electrics our the way to go and abandon gasoline powered cars. My last car was a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. Now I have a 2018 Mitsu PHEV baby steps to full electric. I have driven the future and I like it. Ride is a little heavy but blasting through a snowstorm of heavy rains? This car is a car on rails. It never felt out of control through a 18inch storm. My problem was getting past the idiots doing 25. I was doing 50 and it was letting me run her. Its a SUV. Lots of cargo space and fun to drive. I really like her. Update.... I have had her for over two years now. The mileage is now 34,712 miles. Mostly driven under electric but I take longer drives to go Skiing in Wisconsin and drove last September to Nashville. Can't wait to go back to Nashville. It is one cool city to have fun in but it has city issues with homelessness and drug abuse problems that it needs help with. If I ever get to retire I wish to go back to help. I go tangent, the PHEV outlander is still fun to drive. Gas mileage for me on long trips is 32-35 mpg. I need all the space for my gear and luggage. I have no gradation of the battery after two years. I charge 2 times a day. That is over 1300 charge and discharge cycles. I basically travel the same 24 mile route each way everyday. I get to work with 1 mile of e juice left and get home on 0. I charge at night and then they let me charge for free at work. When I went to Nashville they let me charge for free at the Hotel. Also in Wisconsin I can sometimes find an outlet. On a 220V home charger, It is 2Hrs to charge. When I get home I plug in. Eat some dinner walk the dog and then unplug. By this time I have 20 miles stored to run errands on. Works for me. At work it takes 7-8 hrs to charge on the 110VAC charger that comes with the car. I pull in and plug in. After my shift it is fully charged and I unplug, wrap up and drive home. I reduced my commute cost from 6 bucks a day (with the gasoline car replaced) to 1 dollar a day (with the Mitsu PHEV). They say it can go 22 miles but I have consistently get 24-25 only on electric drive. Once in a great while, when the outside temperature is just right, I may get 27. That is rare. I don't believe these stories about degrading batteries on this. I drive the same route everyday for two years and the same amount of battery use has been seen. Still fun, still quiet and still loving it. In 20 years, the car will pay for itself in gas savings. No mechanical or electrical problems for the 2 years 2 months owned. Will keep you posted. Update: 9/30/2021. I have the Mitsu PHEV Outlander for 3 years 9 months, Just over 53,000 miles and still no issues. Did much trailer towing this year. Pulling firewood and stuff. If you wish to tow you will have to get the OEM trailer hitch. There is no aftermarket that fits the PHEV. Still loving it... still getting great mileage both on electric and gas.... to reiterate, Still fun, still quiet and still loving it. In 20 years, the car will pay for itself in gas savings. No mechanical or electrical problems for the 3 years 9 months owned. Will keep you posted. Update: 3/30/2022. I have the Mitsu PHEV Outlander for 4 years 3 months, Just over 57,000 miles and still no issues. Made some trips to go Skiing in Wisconsin and since Gas Prices are high, it was nice to average 42 miles/gallon on these trips.. Still loving it... still getting great mileage both on electric and gas.... to reiterate, No mechanical or electrical problems for the 4 years 3 months owned. Same tires with about 10K is tread left and same brake pads front and rear. The smooth ride still exists and quite. Why do people but large noisy mufflers on their cars. Wouldn't it be great if those idiots spent there money on making their machines ultra quiet and less polluting instead of deafening and super stinky? I guess it is in their nature to be irritating rather than harmonious. Here's a Mitsubishi car-mercial " The new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. "Find some Harmony and test drive one at your Mitsubishi Dealer today" "You may find it to be most Harmonious machine on the planet Earth." I like to see the world today in perfect HArmony.........(just this part of the song playing lightly in the background during the last sentence....( ideal is trademarked by me). 9/30/2022. Lost my job due to Covid. Over 60 and being aged over for positions. At least I have one awesome Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vehicle that sips money from my wallet. Almost to 60K miles and no issues. Looking forward to many more trouble free years. Back to LinkedIn to find something that an Old Man can do without annoying a teenager. Still loving it. Update 10/3/2023. 67K and still uneventful. Working part time and now 62 going on 63. Same tires, brakes. Just changing the oil every 7000 miles because I can't get an answer of when I should change it. It looks clean when I do. The engine oil basically sits idle since I drive 80% electric and 20% gas EV. Still love the car and will take it to my grave. Bought it in 2017 for 30K after rebate,and almost 5 years now. I see the new ones are almost 50K. Battery still good and auto runs great. Just love to drive it. Still towing and still living, in harmony. Hello. 4/4/2025 Yes, I still own and drive the Mitsu PHEV Outlander 72,127 miles. No issues. Haven't even checked the brakes or changed them. Just got new tires and replaced the the OEM at 70K miles. Still getting 32-35 a gallon in Hybrid mode on long trips. The EV mode allows 21 miles EV only in 60 degree weather. When it was 10 degrees it was 15 miles. Love the cargo hold love the long term drive comfort. Just changing oil at 7K and driving. I love this car. Just wish the sunroof was offered on the base level. Been 7 years 4 months of ownership (Bought Dec 2017) and still loving it. What can I say. Driving it has been nothing but smooth and no problems. See ya next year.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Test drives
Nate the great, 01/14/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
71 of 74 people found this review helpful
Figured something is better than nothing... so I'll post the first review in case some of you have no nearby dealer. Test drove a silver GT and red SEL. Impressions: 1) Gorgeous exterior, nothing not to like. Nice to have 8.5 inch ground clearance, beats most other CUV's, except the CX9. Stock rims look great. 2) Interior is also nice. Seats very comfortable, good thigh support for a 5'11 guy... for what that is worth. Both driver and passenger seats are 8 way power adjustable, which is very rare for this class. Not having a third row is probably the deal breaker for my wife. Between the black and brown leather, I liked black with silver stitching, my wife liked brown with red stitching. 3) Performance. Good not great. Thought acceleration was a bit slow in the 30 to 60 range, although it was plenty zippy off the line. Really loved the paddle shifters, adjusting the engine resistance when foot was taken off gas (for accelerated charging). B5 for tight city driving or hills made one foot driving possible. B2 or 1 for highway driving. Love the amount of control you have over the electric, or combustion. I would recommend going combustion on the highway and electric in the city. A guy who bought one at the dealer was in to get a tow hitch installed and told me he was getting 125mpg so far using that technique. As far as sspension and braking, it was phenomenal. Ive never experienced regen brakes that tight and smooth... did not feel like hybrid brakes. Suspension was perfect.... firm but not crazy tight. Definitely minimized body roll, but could be considered a bit rough for those used to a boat like cadillac experience. Tech: I'm not a big fan of my car braking for me, so I could care less about that, but for SA, the GT trim has all this crazy safety, tech features plus the moonroof and Rockford sound system. Android auto, Apple car play standard both trims. Misc: Surprised about the 11.5 gallon gas tank... deal breaker for me. Unless you do all short trips, this is not the right car. 300ish mile range is no bueno if you have to do a cross country haul on occasion. Worse range than almost any hybrid vehicle. Still a five star vehicle... but I'd be traveling with a 5 gallon gas can in the rear. Overall great day driving Mitsubishi, and with a 2500 dollar rebate and fed tax refund this is a great deal.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Not your average hybrid!
Skylar Bulosan, 02/17/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
27 of 28 people found this review helpful
They gave me an amazing deal on a 2018 Outlander PHEV. This vehicle is a life-saver! I have had it for almost 2 months and still not needed to refill the gas. With my driving I am able to drive solely off the battery and that has been saving me a lot of money! We all know traffic is bad and with my HOV sticker, my commutes to work are cut in half. I don't spend hours in traffic on the 91 and when I go out somewhere that uses toll roads, I sure as hell take advantage of those toll discounts.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Outlander Replaces Highlander
Jonathan Paul Quick, 09/23/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful
UPDATE: We installed an L2 home charger for the Outlander at a cost of around $700. Home recharge times are now typically in the 2 - 3 hour range after a full day of driving. On my 64 mile round trip work commute, I am averaging 51 MPG. This vehicle is posting phenomenal MPG results far above the EPA average. Fuel efficiency is truly astonishing given the fact that the Outlander is a mid-size 4WD SUV with 63 cubic feet of space in the trunk. We love this vehicle platform so much that I decided to trade-in a late model Hybrid sedan for a 2nd Mitsubishi Outlander SEL PHEV this weekend. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I've spent about a month driving the 2018 Outlander PHEV around 3000 miles around town and short road trips. This vehicle was purchased as a replacement for a 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited. Fuel efficiency has been well above the EPA combined rating. Our worst trip mpg to date was in the mid-thirties. Recharge times with the included 110v wall charger are usually around 5 hours. CHADEMO charging is available in < 20 minutes, but high local rates at area charging stations make this implausible as part of a daily commute. As a daily driver, the vehicle offers all of the creature comforts available from pricier rivals coupled with rock solid build quality. Front and rear passengers are coddled in the quiet cabin, which is free from squeaks, rattles, and jostling over rough roads. Vehicle infotainment controls are logical and easy to operate while driving. The audio system with integrated subwoofer and HDRadio support should satisfy most audiophiles. Modern safety features such as blindside monitoring and collision avoidance perform flawlessly. Outward visibility is excellent and the rear backup camera makes parking a breeze. The powertrain provides adequate acceleration with only a muted groan on heavy acceleration. 4WD is available if needed. Braking distance is at par for the class. Handling feels more truck-like than most crossovers. The climate control system outperforms pricier rivals. Cargo capacity and passenger space easily outclasses comparably price rival SUVs. Although many vehicles are now sold with embedded modems that enable remote features, the Outlander is limited to WiFi connectivity with cellphones. Many features such as remote start/stop, lock / unlock, and climate controls are controllable via cellphone, but inaccessible unless owners are with 10 - 20 feet of the vehicle. At roughly $26k after the federal tax credit, the Outlander offers a tremendous value for the price when compared with rivals from Toyota, Honda, and domestic manufacturers. I would strongly recommend that prospective SUV buyers take a test drive to see why the Outlander PHEV has been the #1 PHEV SUV in Europe for the last 5 years.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Make the leap to PHEV its worth it
Happy Mitsu Owner, 01/17/2019
updated 07/23/2021
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
30-mo review: 30K miles, MPG 58, PHEV is more flexible than an EV with great tax credits. This is my 5th Mitsubishi, 1st new Mitsubishi, and 3rd Outlander. Yes, I am a loyal Mitsubishi customer but I have owned other cars inclusive Toyota, Honda, Subaru, VW, and Mercury. I also looked at other cars during this purchasing process but came to the same conclusion. that Mitsubishi's to have the best value compared to other cars. When buying a car I calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (purchase price, the expense to run, and depreciation) for different vehicles and time after time Mitsubishi wins. It helps that I do not care to keep up with status or trends and view a car's main purpose is to transport me safely, efficiently, and without issues. That allows me to look past the industry reports score Mitsubishi's very low. I focus on customer reviews, what I want in a vehicle, reliability, and the financial reality of operating the vehicle. This makes the decision process much easier since you are buying a car based on your needs and real-world usage. I find both Edmunds and Fueleconomy.gov give you access to the best customer reviews/real-world usage information. If you read the professional reviews you would be lead to believe the Outlander PHEV has limited range, gets poor gas mileage when the battery runs out, is slow, and loud. I have found the opposite on all accounts when compared with both my gas Outlander and other Hybrids or PHEV that are rated higher. My review below points out real-life usage over a year that debunks the negative comments by the professionals. Over the last year, I am getting 59 MPG for all of my drives which is double the MPG I had on my old gas Outlander. I work from home so my driving habits are the ideal match for a PHEV. Most of my drives are short local trips of approx 30/50 miles and I charge my car after almost every local trip. I am getting 60 to 100 MPG for local driving, a tank of gas takes me over two weeks to use, and I getting 700 to 1,000 miles on a tank of gas. I have done many long trips and I am getting 32 to 40 MPG and 250 to 350 miles in range. The main variable is weather since the battery operates more efficiently in temperate climates. Additionally, you are not using the heat or AC so the is less of a draw on the battery. Having a PHEV on long trips takes away any range anxiety and is more efficient than most vehicles on the road. I have found long trips provided few opportunities to charge due to availability, time, cost, and ease. When you have a PHEV that is not an issue since you just need to charge when it is convenient. I tend to go to rural destinations however even in urban locations options tend to be out of the way, full, or cost more than gas. On my longer trips, I use its default hybrid mode which gives you great MPG (36-42) and range (350-400 mi). Costs to charge at public charging stations can cost more than gas. I am getting better MPG than my regular gas Outlander and even my other cars. Before my PHEV I considered it a success if I got 30 MPG on long trips but now I am getting between 36 and 42 MPG average which is a big improvement and as good as regular gas midsize cars. Home charging has been easy and affordable. A full charge costs around 80 cents and I am getting 20 to 30 miles on the charge. You get better results when its warmer so in the late spring, early summer, and early fall I have gotten as high as 40 miles per charge but constantly getting 30 miles driving on local suburbans/country roads when not using heat or AC. When you compare the cost of home charging to fuel cost you save over $2 per trip. I ran the numbers and I am saving over $500 per year on fueling my car with electricity and gas. This number takes into account both my home electric and fuel costs. Add this to the tax credit the value of the car becomes obvious. Outside of the math is it is just a good car to drive. Not too big/small, comfortable, quiet, and it can get you anywhere you need to go (distance, weather, on/off-road). You are not going to win a race in this car but if you need speed you can either hit the pedal and the power is there and if you need more take it out of ECO mode. It has all the higher-end features you need but it's not over the top. Most importantly its a car first with a lot of usable technology that makes it efficient and enjoyable to drive. My neighbor just purchased a Tesla Model 3 and it is a computer first that operates a car. I prefer what Outlander offers which is a great quality car that will save you money and is pleasurable to drive. If you are in the market for a PHEV SUV or even Car you need to check out the Outlander. Given that is one of the few PHEV SUV on the market and the only in its price range it will likely make it to your list if you do any research. I hope you decide to make the leap to an Outlander PHEV since based on my findings it is in a class all by itself.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great plug-in with good range AND cargo space
ChanZen, 04/17/2019
updated 04/20/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
Still loving this car. I researched every single plug-in hybrid on the market in 2019 and this was the only one with a decent amount of battery range AND cargo space. The Chevy Volt and Honda Clarity had the best ranges, sure, but their trunk space was limited, no good for trips to the gardening store, road trips, windsurfing gear, etc. And the plug-in hybrid SUVs with more cargo space -- the Volvos and BMWs -- were way more expensive and, to top it all off, rewarded you with LESS battery range. So, while not perfect, the Outlander PHEV was a perfect replacement for our Prius V, which got good gas mileage and swallowed cargo with its big trunk but was a dud to drive and fouled up the garage with its gas exhaust smell whenever the engine fired up, something you grow to hate after driving an EV (our other car is a Model Y). While not overly exciting, I do like the Outlander's understated crossover styling, which aspires towards sporty. It's not too big and not too small, with plenty of room for the kids or other passengers in back. The interior on the GT trim I have is nice, though it is a bit dated as others have said. The tech features are decent -- Android Auto is great to have -- and I appreciate all the safety features, as well as the parking cameras, both front and back. I love the adaptive cruise control on longer drives. I had a home charger already for our first EV, a 2016 Leaf, so I also love topping off the Outlander whenever it's needed to save on trips to the gas station. Of course, there are some things with the Outlander I'd change: 1) Get driving settings to hold. Right now they reset every time you start up the car, whether it's the regen level or the Auto Hold feature. This gets annoying, until you just give up using the less important features. 2) Bump up the regen for true one-pedal driving. The highest regen level -- B5, which goes all the way down to B0, which let's the car freewheel -- is just shy of bringing the car to a complete stop. I wish it did like the Model Y, Bolt EV or the new Leaf. But overall, I'm really happy with this car so far, and it's fit our needs perfectly.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Great machine!
Mike S, 04/30/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
Overall, we are very happy with this vehicle. It's a great value, particularly when you add up all the federal, state, and local rebates that go with it. Compared to other crossover SUVs with hybrid or electric technology, this was priced very well. Corners that were cut to lower the cost seem minor to us (ie quality of some of the interior elements) but I do wish the front seats were more comfortable for longer drives. Lower back can get a little sore after a couple hours - we plan to use a lumbar support pillow for our next road trip. Battery range for EV only driving is good at ~20 miles - while part of me wishes that was a bit longer, that would mean more battery which means less cargo room and a heavier vehicle, so it seems like a good balance. Cargo space is very good. Safety features on SEL model are appreciated. Vehicle accelerates smoothly and switches between EV and gas mode smoothly and quietly. Car looks good too (though I would lose the huge PHEV stickers on the sides). I'm surprised it took so long to get to the US after excellent reviews and sales in Europe, but I'm glad it's here now!
EV for life
Mark B, 06/21/2019
updated 12/27/2021
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
What this car is- an incredible fuel efficient SUV. What it is not- A full electric vehicle. This is a vehicle that you need to do your research before buying to know what you are getting. If you have a daily round trip work commute of less than 30 miles, this vehicle is mind blowing. Monday through Friday, I hardly use a gallon of gasoline. I can go 2-3 weeks on $20 of gas before a refuel. The other day I was averaging about 190 mpg at one point. The times that you get beyond the EV charge, you have decent fuel economy for a 3000+ lb vehicle. I had a Jeep Wrangler before this, about the same weight, and it's a night and day comparison. The gas engine is quiet and had sufficient power. You'll hardly notice when it does come on. The best thing about this car is all the flexibility that you have when driving. You can charge the battery with a push of a button. My strategy on longer trips is EV to the interstate, then charge mode on highway miles. This is one of the quietest vehicles I've ever been in. When I drive our minivan, I think that something is wrong with it because I can feel the engine through the gas pedal and it's much louder on the highway. The handling of the PHEV is very good, more like a large car. The interior is very comfortable with plenty of room. We did a 6 hour ski trip this winter with 4 people in the car, skis on top and cargo area fully loaded. No complaints. I highly recommend getting a class 2 charger. You can fully charge the battery in about 2 hours when it's fully depleted. The charger that comes with it is very slow, about 12 hours. You'll need a 240v line for the class 2. Not a big deal. I have a 6 kw solar array on my home so I'm getting free charging from the sun a lot of the time. My only complaint about the car is the limited EV range. If it got 30-50 miles on a full charge, that would be way better. People worry about EV's range but after you have one, you realize that most of your daily driving is short trips. I highly recommend this vehicle if you have realistic expectations of what it can and can't do. If you want a full EV SUV, buy a RIvian next year. it will cost you about $40K more that the PHEV.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Heavenly ride
Rolf Kestermann, 05/09/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Wonderful car, great balance of compromises. Love the ride, silence, electric torque, versatility, and especially that the usefulness has not been compromised by absurd design. Visibility, mirrors, ceiling height, standard moon roof with solid blind, self folding rear seats, folding rear seat head rests, touch screen, non reflective odometers and many other little things I do love. My only gripes are the gezillian warning beeps and of little importance, not a fan of shiny black plastic parts on the dash and front grill, even if you call it piano finish poly carbonate. Also the various control buttons seem sprawled out, wish they would be in a single cluster above the heater controls
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Plug in hybrid, comfort, but hope to get a turbo
EdwardL, 01/08/2019
updated 07/20/2022
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
Its a plug in hybrid, SUV, heavier than my previous own Toyota Prius Plug In, but it is a very solid build car, the suspension and breaking is really nice. I use to own Honda and Toyota, BMW, and I am surprise the quality of this Mitsubishi, very fine work they done. But I have to admit, the only reason I buy this car is to get the California HOV sticker. I didn't think about the HP from this 2.0 IL4 engine on this relatively heavy car ( may be battery and ev parts cause it to be heavier ). When you still have battery power, the acceleration was ok, but when it is on gas mode, it lacks power and you can feel it. Over all, I still love this car a lot, most of the time we have 21 miles of EV range after all night 120VAC charging, and if I don't visit customer that day, it is perfect that I didn't have to use gas at all. I did use the CHARGE mode sometimes just want to keep the range available as much as I can, because driving on EV mode feels much better in this vehicle. If you are looking for a Plug in SUV, this is the most affordable one, and the interior room is great, much better than Chevy Volt, Prius Prime and Subaru Crosstrek? The only wish I have on this car is if they can put a turbo charge on the gas engine will be great. After 1 1/2 year of ownership, it’s still a great car to drive. Had 27500 miles on it. There is one short point is the gas tank is too small, if you drive from LA to Vegas, you must stop for gas because it’s all uphill , there is no way you can get 300 miles range. Either they put a bigger tank or bigger battery, otherwise no choice, you can’t get there. The 2020 got hit w Covid-19, I don’t drive as much, the EV range is ok, don’t use gas that much. 2022 update: still a wonderful drive so far, no big problems, 46000 miles, live everything about it, I live in So Cal, the dealership near me is puente hill Mitsubishi, very good service, Sal is very nice, service cost is very reasonable. Change tires once , everything else is functional.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
7,500 Miles Review
Agustin, 05/11/2019
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Highlights: Amazing SUV!. My wife uses it for Daly errands, we charge every time we get back home, on 1 gas tank we are doing between 750 to 1,000 miles! It is the perfect equation Size, Price, Real MPG. We did 1 long trip from Miami to NC and all safety features on our GT are an amazing help while driving, the adaptive auto pilot, and the automatic high beams are 2 features that I will not buy any other car without them! Then the automatic whippers helps a lot in South Florida all year heavy rains. The only complaint I have is that under 90+ degrees on most days of the year, not having a rear vent for the AC make my kids force me to put the fan on the AC on high all the time.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
great car
jeff, 06/18/2018
updated 06/21/2021
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
Update,138000miles now(daily work drive), still love it, two complain 1. the horsepower when acceleration. I guess the new 2.4L engine can get better. 2. fuel tank too small 11Gal. others no complain On my shopping list never have this Outlander PHEV, but I just bought it (2018 Outlander PHEV GT). I was planning to buy MDX Hybrid(my most favorite), RX450, Volvo XC60 Hybrid, but I see this car can get into the carpool lane and only $40K (out to door), that is a good deal. plus I will get another $6k tax credit (fed and ca) , a really good deal. did I mention a 10-year warranty ??, to me, those luxury car charges are way overpriced, you are buying that logo for extra, as well as your own feeling good over others only, that is it. the only thing I don't like this car is the driver's seat, not too comfortable (compare to my old RX400H and my wife's BMW230i), but will get used to it in time. overall I like it after 1-week commute daily to work.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Beautiful SUV I highly recommend
Horizon 95, 05/26/2019
updated 12/02/2019
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I compared all the Hybrid & electric SUVs available in 2018 models. I found this SUV to be the best choice financially and in performance wise. I was debating between this and a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. After careful consideration of all the factors: price, performance, interior & exterior looks and amenities, and car reviews, buying the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT was a no brainer. I have owned this vehicle for 8 months and haven’t regretted my decision. I’m so pleased with this vehicle and I get a lot of compliments from strangers on it. I live in Hawaii where Toyota & Honda are the go to cars and dominate the market. I have short daily commutes and love all the perks, free EV parking, driving solely in electric mode, tax rebates, etc... Strangers compliment my beautiful baby daily. I bought the ruby black pearl color and it shimmers in the sunshine. All my family and friends love the exterior, interior, and driving performance as much as I do. I’ve owned BMWs, Toyotas, Fords, Saturns, and Hondas in the past and I must say, this vehicle comes in 1st place for me. The only downside is I wish it had better electric driving range but given everything else it does have, I still love it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great PHEV
Choc Lab, 04/13/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Thinking of getting a second one
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good size car, incredible milage at this point.
Ben, 09/12/2018
updated 03/16/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bit of noise and vibration when gas motor starts to charge battery. So far I have driven 745 miles on 1/2 tank of gas.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very happy with this car - coming from Acura MDX
Taylor, 11/20/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I was happy with my MDX but I must say that this Outlander actually rides smoother and is immensely more efficient. It's a simple vehicle in terms of gadgets and features but everything it does it does pretty well. Overall very happy with this SUV
2 year ownership impressions
Darrin, 11/18/2018
updated 05/19/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
There are quirks and limitations, for certain, but what you get for the money, especially with tax cred and potential State rebate, you can't beat it. I'm like the car, and even though it has its shortcomings, it's a cool car for the money.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best Value
David, 04/27/2020
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I typically go anywhere between 500 to 700 miles on 9 to 10 gallons of gas. That is with a combination of charging several times a week. It’s comfortable, great visibility, decent interior although hardly a luxury car. For the money this is a hard proposition to beat
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Test drive before you buy
Mike, 08/21/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
18 of 29 people found this review helpful
Pros: quality materials, enormous cargo space, good pricing after incentives. Cons: sluggish acceleration, not enough front leg room for a tall person, very limited battery range
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Dangerous Experimental Vehicle
Warren, 10/06/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
56 of 123 people found this review helpful
If you are considering purchasing a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV please look elsewhere. I purchased this vehicle because I consider myself a proponent of innovative green technologies. Furthermore, the promise of high mpg/gallon and a federal tax incentive helped me decide on the purchase. I've owned trucks, SUVs, hybrids, and sedans and all drive similarly due to standard controls. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT has moved to 100% electronic controls. This literally means no or little gears, buttons, or dials. The intuitive instincts of driving are not helpful as this is an entirely new experience. Most of this is annoying but you will adapt. Now I said dangerous and here is why. If you forget to unplug the car from the charger and push the reverse button a signal will appear on the dashboard alerting the driver to unplug the car. This puts the car in a pause state but you must push the PARK button; otherwise, after exiting the car, walking around to the passenger side, and unplugging the charger will result in the car spontaneously reversing without a driver. This happened in our garage and nearly killed my wife. The car was also damaged because it hit my house. Mitsubishi was unconcerned that a human life was in danger and said to file a claim with your insurance company for damages to the vehicle. For reliability, let's say you need to get gas. You go to the gas station to fill up. You push the gas door button to open the door (remember everything's electronic) and a message comes up on the instrument panel that says fuel system malfunction. I've never owned a vehicle that refuses to let me add gas???!!!! Since I didn't have enough gas to get the dealership and the dealership was concerned this was dangerous, I had my 5 month old car towed to the dealership for repairs. Turns out the car needed a software upgrade! Bottom line, in my opinion this car is not ready for sales and unethical Mitsubishi is using customers as Beta testers. Let me also say something about the gas mileage. It's going to get anywhere from 14-100mpg. Yes, 14 at the low end. If you take a long road trip expect to get around 50-100mpg for 20 minutes on the freeway then it will go lower and lower. The gas tank is very small too so you'll be filling up very frequently so this is not a good road trip or commuting car. The gasoline engine is completely pathetic and very inefficient which makes no sense to me. If you considering purchasing a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, just understand your buying an overpriced poorly tested software package and make sure you live close to a dealership because no one will else will know how to work on the car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Disappointing Technology
Joe M, 10/05/2018
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)
18 of 51 people found this review helpful
I was excited about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It had everything I wanted, all the safety features, surround cameras, accident avoidance features. I was ready to sign on the dotted line. Then I learned it didn’t have an integrated navigation system. I have had integrated navigation in all my cars since it first was introduced. So, I convinced myself that I could live with navigation through the vehicle from my phone. The I learned that when you are using a navigation app on your phone, you cannot use any other apply play features in the vehicle. Come on Mitsubishi, what is up with that? I am even willing to pay for integrated Navigation but it is not even offered as an option. Very disappointing.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort