Last Thursday, Mitsubishi released more details on the upcoming 2023 Mitsubishi Outland PHEV. This news come straight off the press, with the company’s release mentioning that it will have more “dependable road performance”.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the plug-in hybrid model of the original Outlander Compact SUV. Being the 4th generation of outlander being introduced for the 2022-2023 seasons, it comes in with some highly desired upgrades. The Outlander series, in general, is scheduled for a massive overhaul in 2022, benefitting from better exterior stylings and an improved interior. The SUV will also be using 20-inch wheels.
The PHEV will build on this with the addition of a newly revised powertrain, with much of the same design as the gas-only models. Now, there’s not much information on the powertrain as of now, but it’s more than likely that it will be improving on the previous 2022 model of the Outlander PHEV.
Photos have been released showing the interior of the SUV, showcasing a new design and seven different modes that seem to imply some off-roading capability. The exterior comes with Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” front design, a PHEV Badge, and the same “Bold Stride” style that is common with the newer Mitsubishi models. These include: Normal, Tarmac, Power, Eco, Gravel, Snow, and Mud modes.
The plug-in hybrid model will utilize dual-electric motors, along with Mitsubishi’s Super-All wheel control system with Active Yaw Control. This helps it to vector power onto the front and rear axles, helping to maintain traction. With standard AWC models, braking control is limited to the 2 front wheels only.
Mitsubishi’s take on this system allows it to add braking control to the rear wheels as well.
There is also a booster function which sends more power to the front motor, and an increase in lift-throttle deceleration. This may be pointing to better single-pedal operation, but harsher terrain and weather conditions will need drivers on the brake pedals.
An updated 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder rests on the 2023 Outlander PHEV, giving it greater output than the 2021 model. The battery pack has also been improved upon, bumping it up from 13.8-kWh to 20 kWh for the 2023 Outlander PHEV. With this, its range is expected to reach about 33 miles of EV range when fully charged. Of course, this is only speculation as the battery pack’s 40% increase might play a role in its EV range becoming greater.
Mitsubishi seems to be taking steps into making the Outlander a more modernized SUV, especially with the improvements to the PHEV model’s powertrain. The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander is expected to come out at the second-half of 2022 for US Markets, with the Japanese markets receiving it a bit earlier as a 2022 model.
Pricing information is hard to come by as Mitsubishi is yet to give any statements on it. The company says that complete info on the US models, along with its asking price, will be given next year.