Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV UK prices

Prices for the new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle will start from £28,249 in the UK. Unusually, that makes it the same as an equivalent diesel-powered Outlander.

Such parity is only possible thanks to the government’s Plug-in Car Grant, which has lopped £5,000 off the hybrid Mitsubishi’s cost. It’s a controversial subsidy though, because in essence public money is being used to help foreign manufacturers sell generally expensive cars to well-off people.

Indeed, of the eighteen models currently eligible for the funding, only the Nissan Leaf is built in the UK. Not that the scheme has been a huge success: as at December 2013, the number of grant claims totalled just 6,709.

Doubtless Mitsubishi will be hoping the arrival of its plug-in SUV is going to significantly increase that number.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014) Front Side

The headline £28,249 price buys the GX3h trim grade which comes with seven airbags, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control and privacy glass as standard. For those wanting more equipment, the £32,899 GX4h gains an electric sunroof, heated front seats, leather upholstery, touchscreen-controlled satellite navigation and a reversing camera. Sitting atop the range is the £34,999 GX4hs that additionally features lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a forward collision mitigation system.

Along with a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, the Outlander PHEV’s drivetrain comprises an 80 bhp (60 kW / 81 PS) electric motor for each axle, a 12.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a continuously-variable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Battery replenishment time to 80% capacity takes just 30 minutes using a rapid charger, although a 13 amp supply will need five hours.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2013) Drivetrain Schematic

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2013) Front Side X-Ray

Maximum electric-only range is a reasonable 32.5 miles (52 kilometres) and overall fuel consumption is officially rated at 148 mpg (1.9 l/100km) with carbon dioxide emissions of 44 g/km. However, Mitsubishi’s pragmatic view that “it is hard to predict what miles per gallon the vehicle will return in real life” indicates journey speed and length will impact on actual economy.

A trade-off for hybrid efficiency is adequate rather than exciting performance. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes a leisurely 11.0 seconds while the SUV’s top speed is 106 mph (170 km/h). That’s partly due to the hybrid’s increased kerb weight of 1,810 kg (3,990 lbs), which is 16% greater than the diesel version’s.

Available to order now, UK deliveries of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are due to begin in May.

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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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