2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review

Name: 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Brand: Mitsubishi

Price Range: $17,990 - $22,999

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

On the one hand, the 2020 Outlander PHEV benefits from 22 miles of electric-only range, strong off-road capabilities and comfortable front seats. On the other hand, it's handicapped by a poor driving experience, disappointing build quality, and a loud and buzzy gas engine. Also, some tech features are either nonexistent or frustrating to use. We expect more from the new Outlander PHEV, and so should you.

See all features & specs

6 Offers Near Ashburn, VA

Check out current offers on the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

SHOP NOW

Mitsubishicars.com

Price & Payment

Select year

Average price: $20,142

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2020 Mitsubishi

Build & Price

Mitsubishicars.com

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV model years

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for Sale

Pros

Offers a generous list of standard features
Can travel up to 22 miles solely on electric battery charge
Sophisticated all-wheel drive offers stability on slippery surfaces

Cons

Poor cabin quality with lots of creaks and rattles
Weak acceleration and vague steering make for a bad driving experience
Unlike a regular Outlander, it doesn't offer a third row
Small gas tank limits overall range

What's new

Most advanced safety features are now standard on the base model
GT Premium interior package debuts
Larger infotainment screen
Part of the third Outlander generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

10/17/2019

In some key ways, the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV should appeal to car shoppers. For one, you get a lot of standard features that include DC fast charging and a generous list of advanced safety tech. There's also about 22 miles of electric-only propulsion, which could make your gas station visits far less frequent. And the Outlander has more off-road capabilities than you might expect.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

4 listings

Sort by:

New Listing
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
SEL 4dr SUV
$19,590
good price
$1,186 below market
- 39,924 miles
- 22 mi est. electric range
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Richmond (95 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (25 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4J24A59LZ008964
Stock: 2004129107
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 10-05-2025
EV Rebates^{Certain EVs and PHEVs may be eligible for a rebate. Buyer and car must qualify.}
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
GT 4dr SUV
$22,999
- 44,660 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 22 mi est. electric range
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- Enterprise Car Sales Lancaster (95 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in East Petersburg, PA
Transfer of vehicle from another location to your neighborhood Enterprise Car Sales may require payment of a non-refundable transfer fee to begin the ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (25 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4J24A56LZ028380
Stock: 8G0CKF
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-11-2025

See all for sale

Unfortunately, that pretty much covers the nice things we can say about it. The Outlander PHEV is dreadfully slow to accelerate, and the gasoline engine sounds horrible when it's called upon. From the inside, the ride quality is unsettling and busy, and there's a noticeable amount of road and wind noise on the highway. Unlike the standard Outlander, this PHEV model loses the third row of seats to the battery pack. Even though there are a lot of features, they're not particularly easy to use, and overall build quality leaves much to be desired.

For these reasons, we suggest checking out the competition before committing to the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Those rivals tend to have far more positives than negatives.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

6.5

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Outlander PHEV drive? When it comes to drivability and performance, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has two bright spots. It is the most capable off-roader in the class, and the transitions between electric and internal combustion propulsion are smooth.

Unfortunately, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. It takes 9.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is slow for any vehicle, and the gasoline engine sounds harsh and strained when activated. On-road steering is vague and requires constant corrections. And handling does little to instill confidence since the SUV is plagued by excessive body roll and sensitivity to midcorner bumps.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Outlander PHEV? We give the Outlander points for the comfortable front seats and the many customization options for the climate control, but those bright spots are dimmed by a few drawbacks. The ride quality is compromised by the suspension's inability to smooth over sharp impacts and noticeable bounces over undulations. At least when the vehicle is in electric mode at low speeds, the cabin remains quiet. That all ends when the gas engine kicks in, emitting a harsh and intrusive buzz.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The Outlander PHEV is pleasantly roomy for four passengers, but squeezing a fifth in the back seat will be tight. It also offers good outward visibility, and it's easy to enter and exit thanks to tall door openings and doors that aren't very long. Unfortunately, the cabin feels cheaply built, the controls can be hard to locate, and taller drivers will find the driving position awkward.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? Technophiles and early adopters may want to steer clear of the Outlander since its best tech attributes are limited to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a pair of high-output household power outlets. There is no map-based navigation. Instead, you get some rather useless GPS coordinates, which means you'll likely be receiving directions from your phone.

The native voice recognition system is deeply frustrating because it frequently misunderstands commands. And the adaptive cruise control can react violently when the traffic speed changes suddenly.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? On paper, the Outlander's 30.4-cubic-foot cargo space is generous, but in practice, it's not nearly as usable as that figure suggests. The cargo floor is narrow due to the sizable intrusions from the rear wheelwells. But the rear seats do fold flat, offering up to 66.6 cubic feet of space, which is a decent amount for this type of SUV. The liftover height is low to ease the loading of bulky objects.

The door pockets, bins and glovebox are all large, but there aren't many of the handy little cubbies that we've come to expect for phones or other small items. The car-seat anchor points are placed at an unusually steep angle, making them harder to access, but the high rear seat means less bending over to situate kids.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says you can go about 22 miles on all-electric power, which is an average distance for a plug-in hybrid. Once the electrons run out, however, the Outlander PHEV is rated to get just 25 mpg in combined driving. That's worse than most other non-hybrid small SUVs. We got 29 mpg in our limited testing; it's better but still not great.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Outlander PHEV a good value? A solid warranty and the ease of DC fast charging are fine touches, but this Mitsubishi is a $40,000-plus vehicle that feels cheaply built. We noticed some surprising lapses in quality, such as rattles and creaks from the cabin and rippling in the formed metal along the edges of the doors.

There's a lot of hard plastic and vinyl around the cabin, adding to the chintzy, lightweight feeling of the Outlander. Even when taking into account the premium inherent to buying a PHEV, it's expensive. At least there's enough charge to cover an average commute, even in traffic.

Wildcard

5/10

We like the concept of the Outlander PHEV. But if you're not keeping it charged all the time, you're not reaping many benefits. And in that case, you're better off with a standard SUV. The dreary driving experience and low-buck interior sap whatever's left of the cool factor associated with driving a green-oriented vehicle.

Build Your 2025 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

At a Glance:

5 Colors
6 Trims
$40,445starting MSRP

Build & Price Mitsubishicars.com

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV trim level differences

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a five-passenger plug-in hybrid SUV offered in two trim levels: SEL and GT. Both are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (117 horsepower) joined by two 60-kilowatt electric motors at each axle. The combination gives the Outlander PHEV all-wheel drive, and the total system output is rated at 190 hp. Electrical power is stored in a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Compare the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV trim levels in-depth.

Which Outlander PHEV trim does Edmunds recommend?

Now that you can get almost all available advanced safety features in the base model as standard equipment, we suggest checking out the Outlander PHEV in SEL trim. With this change, it's more difficult to justify the GT trim's price premium.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$116/mo

$163/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Reliability

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V507000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SR-25-002
Manufactured from:: 2013-04-12 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 91697
Defect Description:: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Defect Consequence:: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

48 reviews

5(58%)

4(19%)

3(6%)

2(2%)

1(15%)

See all 48 reviews of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Great plug-in hybrid for a very specific driver

hk, 11/18/2019

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

If you cannot regularly plug in this car, your mpg will be middling to poor. If your regularly commute/daily drive greatly exceeds the PHEV's electrical range (about 24 miles) you will also see lower mpg savings. However, if you are like me, and drive on average 30-40 miles per day, can plug in your car every night, want the option to be able to use gasoline on long road trips and not …

Comfortable, capable, affordable, electric SUV!

Chris, 11/27/2018

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)

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.

Listen to owners, not a professional car reviewer!

Happy PHEV Owner, 07/05/2020

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid DD)

I have to chuckle when I read the Edmunds review of the 2019 Outlander PHEV. Along with the Consumer Reports review, it nearly dissuaded me from buying this vehicle, which I did in June, 2020. I am so glad I overlooked the overall negativity of the "professional" reviews and focused on what was really important to me. If you and I have similar values, I think you will be quite pleased … with this vehicle.First off, let me offer an alternative perspective on the ride and comfort of the Outlander PHEV. My first impression on the test drive was that this looks and feels like a luxury vehicle. I bought the base SEL, which comes with handsome leather upholstery. What other brand offers leather in the base model?! I fell in love with the comfy front seats, which offer four dimensions of electric adjustment to get into that perfect driving position. I'm 6'2" and I find the driving position comfortable, with plenty of head room--even when I'm sitting on top of a two inch pad! The legroom in the front row is also generous. And I love the expansive view out the front windshield. The sight lines give me confidence.I have not ridden in the back, but my 12 year old daughter says it's comfortable and roomy--certainly better than she is used to (she has ridden Subarus in the past).I will also mention that an electric liftgate, auto sensing wipers, a blind spot warning system, heated seats, and Carplay/Android Auto are all standard on the base model. They work great and add to the luxury look and feel of the Outlander PHEV.So everything the Edmunds pro reviewer says about "cheap appearances" comfort can be thrown out the window, based on my non-professional experience!Next we come to the drive. Edmunds claims it has poor handling and is underpowered. I have observed the opposite, which may just say that I don't drive the same cars as the Edmunds reviewers. Compared to the four Subarus I've owned, the handling and power are superior. In electric mode, the power is downright pleasing and the ride is eerily silent. But going over a mountain pass in gas mode (which I did this morning), the vehicle delivered plenty of power and really wasn't loud and whiny to my ears, as Edmunds said. Edmunds also mentioned that the steering and braking are subpar. Honestly, I just don't understand what they're talking about. Of course this car is no Lamborghini but you already know that!So set aside Edmunds' complaints about the engine and handling. If you're a normal person like me, you'll find both satisfactory to pleasing.Finally, I come to the three considerations that ultimately inspired me to buy this vehicle: fuel economy, all wheel drive, and price:1. Fuel economy. Who wouldn't love a full sized SUV that can go 22 miles on electricity and can get impressive mileage on moderate-length trips? Most of my trips are local and so I really don't use the gas engine much. But when I need it, it's there to extend the range to about 300 miles, even with the"small" 11.3 gallon gas tank. On trips of under 50 miles, you can expect an mpg of 40-110 depending on terrain. It then drops off, depending on how often you can recharge. On the 1,000 mile trip I'm just finishing up, I averaged 28-30 mpg with mostly highway driving and no recharging. In my opinion, that's still acceptable for a large SUV, especially if you, like me, rarely take such trips.2. AWD, baby! I mentioned earlier that I owned four Subarus prior to the Outlander PHEV. There was a reason: I live in a hilly area that can have rough winters and I love the security and confidence that all-wheel drive provides. I have been frustrated with the lack of choices that those of us who care about fuel economy (and who really want an electric vehicle) have when It comes to AWD SUV-type vehicles. Basically, we have a few hybrid options (e.g., RAV4, CRV) and very few PHEV options (the Outlander, the Ford Escape but it's only FWD, and the RAV4 Prime. I was going to hold out for the RAV4 Prime, but then I learned that it could be awhile before I got one and also that they will go for MSRP or higher because of demand. This brought me to the third consideration.3. Price. So, the 2019 Outlander PHEV retails for around $38,000--not much less than the much anticipated 2021 RAV4 Prime. However, the Outlander PHEV can evidently be had for WAY below retail. I bought mine in June, 2020 (it was the last 2019 on the lot) for $27,500! If you add in the $6850 federal tax rebate, I'll actually be paying under $22,000 for my Outlander PHEV. That's a real bargain! Of course, it doesn't have EV range of the Prime and it doesn't qualify for the WA State sales tax break (which requires 30 miles of EV range), but still... You'd be hard pressed to find a conventional sedan at this price point, let alone a PHEV SUV. That sealed the deal for me. Maybe it will for you too?

I like the 2020 GT

andy, 11/14/2019

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

I have had a 2020 GT for about 6 months now. It has enough range for my daily drive and when I want to hit the road no problem.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, so we've included reviews for other years of the Outlander PHEV since its last redesign.

2020 Outlander PHEV Highlights

Trim:

SEL

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$36,295
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	22 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	74 MPGe
Cost to Drive	$116/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	3.5 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Outlander PHEV models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Prevents a potential lane change collision by alerting the driver when a car is hidden in a blind spot or is approaching from behind.
360-Degree Camera: Creates a simulated bird's-eye view of the car for tight parking situations, allowing the driver to see the vehicle from all angles.
Forward Collision Mitigation: Helps mitigate an accident by monitoring ahead, warning the driver of an impending collision and applying the brakes in certain scenarios.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.7%

People who viewed this also viewed

Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $34,490

See Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Inventory

Mitsubishi Outlander
Starting at $29,995

See Mitsubishi Outlander Inventory

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
1.3 average Rating out of 4 reviews.
Starting at $60,490

See Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Inventory

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV trim level differences

Which Outlander PHEV trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Outlander PHEV Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Mitsubishi

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds