2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: New Zealand prices over 30 per cent more than ICE model

The upcoming second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) has gone on sale in New Zealand.

While the model isn't expected to go on sale in Australia until the second quarter of the year, prices across the ditch could act as a solid indicator of what we can expect when the SUV lands on local shores.

Having been announced in the back end of last year as the electrified variant of the fourth-gen Outlander, the Outlander PHEV is still without an official price tag for Australia.

Premiums are expected to go up over the outgoing model thanks to updated equipment such as a larger battery and more powerful motors.

UPDATE, July 2022: Outlander PHEV pricing announced

Australian pricing and details for the Outlander PHEV have now been revealed. Even better, we've also driven it! Get the full story at the links below.

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In New Zealand, the Outlander PHEV is only offered in three grades – LS, XLS and VRX – with prices starting at NZ$60,990 (AU$57,200) including on-road costs for the LS PHEV, a NZ$16,000 (AU$15,000) premium over the equivalent 2.5-litre, non-electrified variant, representing an increase of 36 per cent.

Moving up to XLS PHEV, buyers now pay NZ$18,000 (AU$17,000) more for the electrified model over the internal combustion XLS, with its price tag of NZ$67,990 (AU$63,900) reflecting the same percentage jump between ICE and PHEV of 36 per cent.

Finally the range-topping VRX also incurs a price increase from standard to PHEV of NZ$18,000 (AU$17,000), setting customers back NZ$73,990 (AU$69,600) drive-away, also delivering the lowest ICE to PHEV price percentage jump of 32 per cent.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander New Zealand pricing (ICE and PHEV)

Prices exclude on-road costs.

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In Australia, the Outlander is currently sold in five grades – ES, LS, Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer – and while it's not yet known which variants will carry across to the PHEV, using even the lowest figure of a 32 per cent price increase would put the cost of the entry-level, five-seater Outlander PHEV ES up to roughly $48,800 before on-road costs in Australia, a jump of over $11,000.

Moving up through the grades, the LS could start around $53,500, with the Aspire bumped up to $58,000 before the range-topping Exceed Tourer hits the ceiling at $67,300 – or close to $11,000 more than the outgoing flagship Outlander PHEV Exceed.

To put it into perspective, the price difference between the previous Outlander Exceed ($43,990) and the former Outlander PHEV Exceed ($56,490) represented a 29 per cent discrepancy.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Australian pricing (ICE)

Prices exclude on-road costs.

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As expected, prices of the Outlander PHEV will rise across the range to become higher than its predecessor, with an increase of anywhere between $1000 to over $7000 in the case of the Exceed grade likely.

While not yet officially confirmed, the rough price guide below gives an idea of what kind of prices buyers should expect to see when the new Outlander PHEV arrives in Australia.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Australian pricing vs projected 2022 PHEV pricing

* Denotes unconfirmed price/variant.

However, as previously mentioned, the incoming PHEV's larger 20kWh battery pack (up from 13.8kWh) and more powerful front and rear electric motors (85kW/255Nm front, 100kW/195Nm rear, up from 60kW/137Nm and 70kW/195Nm) justifies the potentially increased costs, excluding the other equipment updates.

The new Outlander PHEV is expected to continue on its predecessor's legacy, with the outgoing model boasting the title of the world's highest-selling plug-in electric vehicle.