2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer long term review

Snapper Ellen's battery charging duties just became a little more involved.

JUMP AHEAD

• Part 1: Large and charge
• Part 2: Things that go bump in the night

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Part 1: Large and charge

• Price as tested: $71,790
• Overall: 761km @ 5.8L/100km

What does this button even do? Let’s rewind a bit.

You’d have thought that working with cars for 27 years as an automotive photographer I’d have been reasonably up to speed on how cars work, but I’ll admit it – I’m floundering a little with this plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander. Let’s just say it’s a steep learning curve.

I’ll concede that driving and testing vehicles isn’t the same as photographing them. With the former, you tend to stand in fewer cow pats, your suntan is pretty feeble, and the way that you interact with the car is very different.

Put somebody like Ponch or Dylan in a car and they’ll figure it out in minutes. Me? I’ll take a bit longer, and that’s why I reckon I’m going to be a little more representative of what the average buyer might have to contend with when they’re considering such a technologically advanced car as this Exceed Tourer version of the Outlander PHEV.

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Over the next few months, it’ll be put through its paces – daily quick trips around the inner west of Melbourne, stretching its limits off road, and lugging camera gear hither, thither and yon.

Yes, the Outlander PHEV is a familiar face on Australia’s roads, having first debuted way back in 2013. This fourth generation appeared in 2022 and, by common consensus, is a huge step forward from its predecessor in terms of refinement and quality.

I like the idea of a plug-in hybrid in that it emphasises a certain environmental responsibility and minimising emissions but doesn’t carry with it the range anxiety that’s always nagging in the back of your mind if you choose a full EV.

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And, with my work often requiring me to cover big mileages, that’s a worry that I could probably do without.

Depending on how broad your take on this sort of thing is, plug-in hybrid crossover/SUV rivals could include vehicles such as the $64,990 Cupra Formentor VZe, the $78,500 Alfa Romeo Tonale Q4, and the $82,915 Peugeot 3008 GT Sport, but none offer the space and easy utility of the tried and trusted Outlander. Small wonder it’s long been Australia’s favourite plug-in hybrid.

As tested, this is a top-spec Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer AWD – a five-plus-two (or ‘seven-seater’ in Mitsi-speak) – priced at $71,790. But should you wish to jump into the Outlander PHEV family at a more accessible price point, things kick off at $57,290.

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Refinements such as two-tone leather upholstery, front massage seats, and rear-seat heating set the Exceed Tourer apart from the other Outlander models. You’ll also find a 10-speaker Bose stereo, tri-zone climate control, rear door sun blinds and a panoramic sunroof.

As an inner-city dweller with a large 4x4, I occasionally feel a little judged, but endeavour to ride, walk or take public transport when I can, and use the Outlander for longer adventuring and work commuting.

Mitsubishi claims a combined economy of 1.5L/100km, but it’s clear that this figure is very dependent on how often you get to plug the thing into the mains.

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I’ve also been button-happy, swapping and changing driving modes like free TV channels to find what’s better. There’s Normal, EV, Save and Charge.

I’m getting to grips with how they each function, but it’ll take a few more kilometres under the Outlander’s belt to report on exactly what effect they have on its efficiency.

The interior feels spacious, with the glass roof adding to an airy feel. The front seats feel comfy, but I’ve found the base of the seat quite long for my 5ft 1in stature and it cuts circulation a little on longer drives. Seat warmers are welcome in a Melbourne winter, but the jury’s still out on the massage function. Maybe it’s best saved for a long day and drive home.

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On collection, the third-row seat combination caught me unaware, thinking I was stuck with the rear seats folded up with only a small, deep boot with 161 litres.

It took reading the instructions on folding down the third row to discover, to my excitement, a large and fully flat luggage base with all seats down to house my mountains of camera gear or camping paraphernalia. In standard two-row configuration, space is reasonable at 461 litres.

I have some big trips planned and some serious hauling tasks for the Outlander to undertake in the next few weeks that’ll really test its mettle. But for now, this PHEV newbie is enjoying the journey.

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Part 2: Things that go bump in the night

• This month: 781km @ 6.1L/100km
• Overall: 1542km @ 6.0L/100km

Dark, cold, early starts are part of the gig if you sign up to be a car photographer, but even after all these years, I'm still not a natural.

Today I'm on dog-walking duties at, checks clock, 6:02 am. It’s not quite windscreen defrost territory, but not far off and I'm setting out to meet a mate to walk my four-legged bestie, Cleo.

Donning more layers than I care to load in one wash, they're having the unfortunate effect of temporarily insulating me against the Outlander's heated seats, even on the maximum level three setting. Fail. I prod the start button and attempt to clack the shifter back into drive and – clunk. I ought to have learned by now.

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One press on the starter button and the Outlander's accessory system comes to life.

You need a longer hold to actually make the PHEV system ready to drive. It's something that’s repeatedly frustrated me, and its simple, but I’ll get it right eventually.

In EV mode it whispers out the driveway. I can see how close I'm getting to the topiary (okay, a bush) with the 360-degree cameras, a revelation I’m loving; great vision and no disgruntled neighbours aside from the odd-sounding duck quack as you reverse.

Perhaps I've become a bit lulled by the Outlander PHEV's silent progress away from my house because I'm suddenly scared witless by an almighty thud. Even the dog looks shocked. After a bit of poking around in the luggage bay, I realise that the folded third-row seats have the propensity to raise up and then crash back down when the vehicle's negotiating speed humps at anything faster than a crawl.

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Unless I can lock them down, this is going to be annoying as my inner-city suburb is riddled with 'em.

In the last few weeks, I’ve attempted to spend the majority of my time in Eco mode to maximise driving range, accelerating gently, capitalising on the regenerative braking to slow and recharge. The early figures showing 2.2L/100km and 91% EV and I felt genuinely chuffed that I was making a difference.

What I wasn’t expecting was the length of home charging time. 12+ hours was giving me a mere 58 kms. The charging process seemed straightforward enough, but on a few occasions it just wouldn’t charge. Hmmm. Might need to resort to reading the instructions after all.

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Some quick observations? On the job, with my four-legged assistant Cleo in tow, her doggy bed matches the supple two-tone interior so perfectly that sometimes you need to double-take to spot her: a match made in heaven. 

I've experimented with the Charge setting and this sends the fuel consumption straight up to 8L/100km, but I've never felt tempted to use a public charging station. CarPlay is a sinch to connect and hasn't dropped out on me yet.

The head up display is fantastic with no adjustment required and even shows what song you’ve skipped to on Spotify while smashing out distance, and the Bose sound system is excellent.

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With easy dial-selected drive mode selections, I head onto the dirt and find the Outlander's ride remains fairly composed even on corrugations.

I splash through a modest stream, but I'm acutely aware that this is no Defender. That becomes apparent when I arrive at my location and  the entry to the harder off-road section has a big hump that exceeds the Exceed's ground clearance. Perhaps that's why it's there, but it reminds me that this is a case of horses for courses.

On that note, the Outlander's proving a convenient work horse with huge flat luggage space all rear rows down, and it's loaded up up for several taxing shoots in winter.

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Extending the cars use into a moving tripod the regen helps to hold a steady speed as I sit a couple of metres from the rear of a near-million dollar Ferrari 296 GTS in fairly harrowing conditions. The Outlander makes it all seem easy.

I love my cars having owned numerous hot hatches, owing a large 4x4 and a classic BMW 2002, I'm not too proud to admit the plug-in hybrid tech initially puzzled me, but gradually I’m being converted to hybrid.

I want to make a difference whilst doing short commutes, but I still need some longer legs for my regular long weekends away. I’ll be testing this couple of months as I head north to Byron for a sunny break.

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