Powertrain

There are a total of three trims – SEL, LE, and GT. Set with a new powertrain for 2021, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV comes with a new 2.4 liter inline-four-cylinder engine coupled with a higher-output rear electric motor (60 kW in the front, 70kW in the rear). Powered by a 13.8 kWH lithium-ion battery, it lasts quite a while, too. Together, the powertrain can generate up to 221 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque.

Engineering

The transmission is a little odd. Locked into a single speed, it’s amazing to think that the top speed of the new Outlander PHEV when driving solely on battery is 83 mph. It can travel for 24 miles on just electric energy alone before needing to switch over to the gasoline engine. New driving modes have been added, now featuring Sport and Snow for driver configuration. Regardless, the driver will always have control with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system equipped.

Exterior Features

The outside of the 2021 Outlander PHEV looks just as much as any other SUV, with automatic headlights standard across the lineup. LED taillights are also standard but match well with the LED low and high beams and LED fog lights found on the GT trim. Also standard across the lineup are heated exterior mirrors, front rain-sensing wipers, a rear window wiper and defroster, roof rails, and rear privacy glass. A power sunroof comes standard with the LE and GT trims. All trims ride on some form of 18-inch wheels.

Interior Features

The interior is also very nice. Mitsubishi Motors didn’t skimp on the standard features, starting with an 8-way power-adjustable driver (with power lumbar support) and passenger seat, leather or suede upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone a/c control, rear heater ducts, a 60/40 rear folding seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The main difference is a heated steering wheel and premium materials used inside of the GT trim.

Entertainment

A lovely cabin is met with all the best tech Mitsubishi Motors currently has to offer. That starts with an 8-inch smartphone link display standard, with Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, Bluetooth wireless technology, and steering wheel audio, phone, and voice recognition controls. A 6-speaker system is found on the SEL trim, but the rest of the lineup comes with an 8-speaker sound system.

Safety Features and Warranty

Mitsubishi Motors is constantly upgrading its vehicles with more safety features, including standard basics like anti-locking brakes, active stability control, an advanced dual-stage airbags (including the driver’s knee airbag), three-point seatbelts, a LATCH child seat tether system, a rearview camera, an anti-theft engine immobilizer, and built with Mitsubishi’s signature RISE body construction. A rearview camera comes standard, but a multi-view camera can be found in the GT trim. Also standard and advanced safety features include forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning plus, and blind spot warning with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alerts. The GT trim also comes with adaptive cruise control that slows and speeds up automatically.

All Mitsubishi vehicles are covered by a basic limited warranty for 5 years/60,000 miles, a powertrain limited warranty for 10 years/100,000 miles, 7 years or 100,000 miles of anti-corrosion coverage, and roadside assistance.