It might be eight years old, but Mitsubishi has most certainly saved the best for last
with its third-generation Outlander.
[MUSIC]
The Japanese brand's popular mid-sized SUV is
a technology pioneer in its segment, bringing an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain to market
just months after its global launch in 2012.
After more than five years on sale in Australia, the Outlander remains the only vehicle in
its class with a PHEV powertrain and still offers something that more popular hybrid
SUV rivals like the Toyota RAV4 don't, the ability to charge its battery via a home power
outlet.
The efficient petrol electric setup has been improved over the years, including a bigger
2.4 litre engine for the 2020 model year, although there are no major changes for 2021.
That means the PHEV remains the most powerful of the Outlander models with an extra 130
kilowatts of power from its front and rear electric motors providing plenty of performance
and all-wheel drive.
It's three driving modes sound complicated, but the car does all the work as it switches
seamlessly between series and parallel hybrid operations, and a super quiet battery-only
mode that offers a useful electric driving range up to 55 kilometres at speeds up to
135 kilometres per hour.
For the 2021 model year, there's extra safety for the entry level Outlander PHEV ES, which
is $1,000 dearer than before at $51,990 drive away, and now comes standard with autonomous
emergency braking, radar cruise control, and lane departure warning.
The flagship Exceed is unchanged at $60,990 drive away.
But the big news is the first GSR variant, priced from $56,490 drive away.
The sporty new mid-range model rides on much better suspension with stiffer front and rear
springs and Bilstein dampers.
No, that doesn't make it a GSR Lancer, but there is good wheel control at all speeds.
It copes easily and confidently with all types of lumps and bumps, and braking and cornering
performance is good for a family SUV.
Distinguishing the GSR from other Outlander plug-in hybrids is a rear spoiler, dark body
trim pieces from the previous Black Edition, new 18-inch alloys, and micro-suede seat trim
with faux leather side bolsters.
Despite the sportier body treatment, the interior and exterior styling looks a bit outdated,
and the digital speed read-out is tiny.
The seats are not particularly supportive.
The plastic parts are not up to Korean standards.
It never feels like a cutting-edge green car and isn't cheap compared to its trendier hybrid
rivals from Toyota and Subaru.
But the Outlander PHEV's infotainment screen is big, clear, and offers handy fuel consumption
data, and it offers the ability to avoid the brakes almost entirely by using what would
normally be shift pedals to loose speed.
More importantly, the new GSR finally brings a big dose of driving involvement to a spacious
and genuinely efficient SUV that can sip just 2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres and emit
less than 50 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
That makes it more than just another wannabe green SUV, and should put the Outlander on
the shopping list of more people who care about the environmental impact of their motoring.