2019 Outlander PHEV reviews and what we know

[ChrisMiller]

Hard to believe same time next year, we'll have 3 additional phev choices: Subaru Crosstek, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Ford Kuga/Escape.

I think that's great news, some competition ought to sharpen up Mitsi's act - they've perhaps been on cruise control too long. But I'd be a bit reluctant to buy the first iteration of a PHEV model from any manufacturer. It's not an easy type of car to get right first time, with complexities that most manufacturers may be unfamiliar with - hence my reservations about the Niro.

 

[Woodman411]

Hard to believe same time next year, we'll have 3 additional phev choices: Subaru Crosstek, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Ford Kuga/Escape.

I think that's great news, some competition ought to sharpen up Mitsi's act - they've perhaps been on cruise control too long. But I'd be a bit reluctant to buy the first iteration of a PHEV model from any manufacturer. It's not an easy type of car to get right first time, with complexities that most manufacturers may be unfamiliar with - hence my reservations about the Niro.

Actually, Toyota's PHEV system will be used in the Subaru Crosstrek: https://cleantechnica.com/2018/05/21/subaru-finally-introduces-its-1st-ever-plug-in-hybrid-the-crosstrek-phev

As for Hyundai and Ford, they do have PHEV experience with the Sonata and Mondeo/Fusion, respectively. But all 3 SUV's will be riding all-new platforms, which as you allude to, bring with them teething issues that the Outlander will not have. The question will be whether the benefits of the all-new designs outweigh the Outlander's older but more reliable one. That I'm not sure of - every time I look at the new Santa Fe design, especially the interior, the Outlander looks very old, even with the 2019 updates. Thanks to Mitsu's decision to delay the larger battery for the US until next year, I will test drive 3 of them then (not really interested in Subaru) before deciding. I'm guessing the Ford will have better seat comfort and driving dynamics (Kuga based on German team's design), the Hyundai will have better battery technology (connection to LG Chem), and Mitsubishi will have better reliability (made in Japan and oldest).

 

[ChrisMiller]

and another ...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/mitsubishi/2019-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-review-uks-favourite-plug-in/
(Telegraph articles are usually behind a paywall, but this doesn't seem to be).

 

[Woodman411]

and another ...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/mitsubishi/2019-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-review-uks-favourite-plug-in/
(Telegraph articles are usually behind a paywall, but this doesn't seem to be).

I can only see the opening paragraphs myself, but I'll still put up the link, thanks.

 

[user 816]

Strange test drive review (odd couple!), obviously at a Mitsubishi organised event on a track. The bit I like is at the very end where under sport mode they manage to 'drift' the PHEV a bit.

Also they were driving 2018 and 2019 back to back and could feel very tangible differences. Certainly in the 2019 the ride looked better, less head jostling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BS7qegqy_s

 

[Woodman411]

Strange test drive review (odd couple!), obviously at a Mitsubishi organised event on a track. The bit I like is at the very end where under sport mode they manage to 'drift' the PHEV a bit.

Also they were driving 2018 and 2019 back to back and could feel very tangible differences. Certainly in the 2019 the ride looked better, less head jostling.

That's the biggest drift I've seen on an Outlander

 

[ChrisMiller]

For the francophones among us
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/essai-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-lhybride-rechargeable-evolue-9378390.html
It's long and well-written (gets more technical than many of the other reviews). One of the relatively few gripes is the lack of a GPS, when we're supposed to be using a linked mobile phone (a better system, in my view). The French even get a sun roof (goody!), but only on the top-of-the-range 'Instyle'.

 

[Nrsisracon67]

Got mine last Thursday it’s on orient red

 

[Woodman411]

For the francophones among us
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/essai-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-lhybride-rechargeable-evolue-9378390.html
It's long and well-written (gets more technical than many of the other reviews). One of the relatively few gripes is the lack of a GPS, when we're supposed to be using a linked mobile phone (a better system, in my view). The French even get a sun roof (goody!), but only on the top-of-the-range 'Instyle'.

Thanks, I'll update the OP with it, Google translator can make it readable in English for me. I like to see different reviews showing different colors, it was nice to see one in silver.

 

[user 816]

Got mine last Thursday it’s on orient red

Thats my favourite colour now, I have done White laready, Black would be a mistake with the way Outlanders chip, the others colours are a bit dull IMO. The Red is the most interesting of the current available.

 

[Woodman411]

Got mine last Thursday it’s on orient red

Thats my favourite colour now, I have done White laready, Black would be a mistake with the way Outlanders chip, the others colours are a bit dull IMO. The Red is the most interesting of the current available.

Is the MY2018 red color different than MY2019 red color? It looks different in the pictures I'm seeing, but I'm not sure.

 

[user 816]

Got mine last Thursday it’s on orient red

Thats my favourite colour now, I have done White laready, Black would be a mistake with the way Outlanders chip, the others colours are a bit dull IMO. The Red is the most interesting of the current available.

Is the MY2018 red color different than MY2019 red color? It looks different in the pictures I'm seeing, but I'm not sure.

I am not sure. 2019 looks a bit brighter to my eyes.

When I got mine in 2015 there was a dull choice of 2 Whites, 1 Black, 1 Grey and 1 Blue Grey. so we are making some progress!

 

[ChrisMiller]

And another French one (including a video):
https://www.caradisiac.com/essai-video-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-une-petite-rallonge-170866.htm

PS Mine is Orient Red (late-2015 facelift version), and I've had no problems with the paintwork. We always have red cars, considering them a reasonable compromise between visibility (particularly in fog) and not showing the dirt too much.

 

[Woodman411]

And another French one (including a video):
https://www.caradisiac.com/essai-video-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-une-petite-rallonge-170866.htm

PS Mine is Orient Red (late-2015 facelift version), and I've had no problems with the paintwork. We always have red cars, considering them a reasonable compromise between visibility (particularly in fog) and not showing the dirt too much.

Thanks Chris, added to OP.

 

[Claymore]

Orient Red is great - just cleaned mine after nearly a year and can hardly see the difference!

Well, the chrome bits look a bit brighter.

It must be the best colour, have you ever seen such a depressing choice?

http://www.myoutlanderphev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=341&start=140

Jim B

 

[ChrisMiller]

Yet another French review (I assume launch of the new model must be imminent or just happened ):
https://www.lesnumeriques.com/voiture/prise-en-main-techno-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-hybride-rechargeable-connecte-mais-sans-gps-a3933.html
and another one grumbling that it doesn't have its own GPS.

 

[Woodman411]

Yet another French review (I assume launch of the new model must be imminent or just happened ):
https://www.lesnumeriques.com/voiture/prise-en-main-techno-mitsubishi-outlander-phev-2019-hybride-rechargeable-connecte-mais-sans-gps-a3933.html
and another one grumbling that it doesn't have its own GPS.

I use my phone over the car's built-in gps, so this doesn't bother me so much. What does bother me though is Renault (and ultimately Mitsubishi) going with Android Auto, this I don't agree with since the car should be phone neutral: https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-to-partner-with-biggest-car-alliance-1537243260

 

[ChrisMiller]

What does bother me though is Renault (and ultimately Mitsubishi) going with Android Auto, this I don't agree with since the car should be phone neutral: https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-to-partner-with-biggest-car-alliance-1537243260

Fear not, although it will use a version of Android, it will still connect to an iPhone:
https://www.apnews.com/55ee489836844322b99fbd8fff7af810
"Although Android powers 80 percent of the world’s smartphones, those with Apple iPhones need not fear the system, the companies said. They still will run Apple CarPlay, just as automaker systems do now, they said."

 

[ChrisMiller]

Another one - good news, at least it's in English; bad news, it's the Express:
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1020984/Mitsubishi-Outlander-PHEV-review-2019
Decent, positive review, marred only by inability to spell (Kia) Niro and the use of a photo of the old model (last one on the page).

 

[Woodman411]

Another one - good news, at least it's in English; bad news, it's the Express:
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1020984/Mitsubishi-Outlander-PHEV-review-2019
Decent, positive review, marred only by inability to spell (Kia) Niro and the use of a photo of the old model (last one on the page).

Honestly, most of these reviews are bad (not very detailed, no unique pictures, little details on comparisons with the pre-revision or other brands, etc). The one from Express reads as a fake review, there are tons of them on the 'net - regurgitating specs, factory/press release pictures, nothing insightful - sorry, not worth posting.