2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Named NWAPA’s Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year
Mitsubishi Motors has been gearing up these past few years to reshape its lineup and offer new and upcoming electrified options. The automaker revealed “Challenge 2025” a new business strategy reintroducing nameplates like the Colt. Even so, the current flagship model of the automaker is currently the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid SUV. It would seem that many automotive journalists feel the same way. After two days of on- and off-road testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) named the Outlander PHEV NWAPA’s Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.
“Every award is special, and is a nod to our design and engineering teams’ passion and talent…But awards that recognize the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid’s on- and off-road all-weather breadth of capability, as well as the unique three-row, seven-passenger capability, speak directly to how our customers use their vehicles every day, regardless of road conditions.” – Mark Chaffin, president and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
It’s true, the off-road capability isn’t a much discussed topic when it comes to the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid. Most of the talk surrounding the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the 38 miles of all-electric range (AER) the model offers, bringing the total driving range up to 420 miles. Able to use DC fast-charging capability (SEL and above models, consumers can charge the 20kWh battery pack to 80% capacity in just 38 minutes. All really good stuff for a plug-in hybrid SUV. When it comes to going off-road, we can assume engineering like the MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar in the front and multi-link with stabilizer bar in the rear helped to improve ride comfort and the overall suspension of the vehicle. A 7.8-inch ground clearance also helps, and a sunroof for open air seals the deal.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was up against 21 other SUVs and pickup trucks entered into the competition this year. 23 journalists made up the NWAPA jury panel as vehicles were tested on an autocross-style cone course that included a slalom, acceleration from a stop, hard braking to a stop, and a series of curves, followed by a go-kart track. Off-road testing included trekking through water and mud, with heavy storms making things even harsher when it came to large gravel roads, potholes, and a section of double-track muddy ruts, followed by a course that included side hills, a log bridge, and an articulation course.
Not only did the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV win the title of NWAPA’s Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year, but the model also won a category award, named “Best Three-row Family SUV”. Since the Outlander PHEV came to the U.S., its style, power options, and Mitsubishi Motors’ Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system have made this plug-in hybrid SUV stand out. Differentiating the Outlander PHEV from other plug-in hybrids on the market today, the twin-motor system, combing a gasoline engine, and electric motor to drive the front wheels, and a stand-alone rear-mounted motor to drive the rear wheels, has an output of a combined 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Able to deliver a fuel economy of 64 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent), the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is sure a strong competitor in the industry today.
Looking to go green and get behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid SUV? Find the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at Miami Lakes Automall.