First Ride: The New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2016)

[=” ” ]Update: The federal government now has the Promotion of e-mobility decided, We are therefore updating once again the e-car articles, tests and driving reports. This original article is from the 25.09.2015 

The first one remains the first!

PHEV 2016: A good vintage

There is a certain tragedy when automobile manufacturers present their car models in wine-growing regions. Just like Mitsubishi recently launched the new Outlander in the Rheingau. Due to the strict “Don't drink and drive” principles, also here at mein-auto-blog, the only thing left from growing wine is visual enjoyment. Everything else will have to be done another time. So let's not dedicate ourselves to the late harvest - but to the 2016 vintage of the Outlander PHEV. Another good vintage? 

Driving report: First exit with the model year 2016

Even more convincing

While the “normal” Outlander was revised in 100 points in order to come onto the market as a 2016 model year, Mitsubishi has even set 130 points for the Outlander PHEV. And many of the changes are obvious at first glance, some are hidden but can be clearly seen on a first test drive.

The fact that the Outlander's face has undergone a facelift is immediately noticeable. At the rear, the light graphics have been revised, but the sills are also new and the PHEV has a shark fin instead of a normal antenna on the roof. The main difference between the PHEV and “the normal” Outlander is in the design of the front bumper. Despite all the visual changes, you should still pay attention to the changes in detail and depth!

Quieter! More comfortable! Safe! 

The Mitsubishi technicians have worked hard in over 40 areas to make the new model year even quieter. And the result of these efforts is palpable on the first excursion in the vineyards around Eltville. The Outlander PHEV has never been a loud car. Thanks to our long-term test, we can draw a very good comparison with the predecessor (Endurance test PHEV). A new insulated roof. New insulation in the areas of the door edges and the front fenders. Targeted stiffeners in the structure. And a more sensitive tuning of the springs ensures a plus in comfort.

Mitsubishi still states the battery range as 52 kilometers. However, from contacts with readers, we have already heard almost 60 kilometers mentioned as an “everyday value”. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is therefore the persuasive performer among the plug-in hybrid SUVs. Not only is it significantly cheaper than the other PHEV SUVs on the market (GLE 500e, BMW X5, Porsche ...), it also lasts much longer.

The argument with the premium habitats can now be attached, but with the freshness cure 2016, the Outlander is significantly more valuable in the market!

The further reduction in wind and driving noise is only one part of it. The fact that Mitsubishi has also retuned the reaction of the electric drive to the “accelerator pedal”, repositioned the rear engine and decoupled the driving battery again helps with the topic “an SUV feels that good”. The fact that the center console has also been changed, a non-slip steering wheel with a “feel-good surface” has been installed and the side panels have also been optimized clearly falls under the category: massive upgrade.

Do not accelerate!

More ride comfort, which is really difficult with a very quiet car. Better roadholding through a new suspension tuning. And more value through the revision of the cockpit. Everything is really good.

It gets even better when you hear about the new assistance systems. On the one hand it beeps more, on the other less. But weighed exactly. There is the automatic tailgate, which beeps now only once when pressing and not during the entire process. The bleeping tailgate was the biggest nerve factor during the endurance test.

And then there are finally park beeper, speak distance warning. Both front and rear in the bumper. And if the Outlander is a clear SUV thanks to its steep windows and good all-round visibility, ultrasound sensors will definitely help. Mitsubishi integrates in the top version but also an 360 ° camera view in the multimedia system. Four cameras, one in the grille hidden, one in the tailgate and one each in the caps of the mirrors, now send a sharp picture in the interior.

The USM system is still on top of it as a novelty. When starting up to 10 km / h, the system recognizes obstacles that can be up to 4 meters away via the parking sensors' ultrasonic sensors. If the driver runs the risk of hitting such an obstacle due to carelessness when driving off, USM throttles the engine and warns the driver.

The fact that LED headlights are now also available on the front is rather a minor detail - in principle, this was only expected. The Outlander PHEV offers a lot of high-tech, LED headlights are hardly worth mentioning, right?

Drinking ban for man and machine

Nobody drank that day. The author has ignored the wine from Rhein-Hessen and the Outlander PHEV the gasoline. Quite different is the interest of the customers in Outlander PHEV. With over 1.500 approvals since launch, the Outlander PHEV dominates the market of plug-in hybrid SUV models. And interest in the Mitsubishi brand is growing. Meanwhile, the Japanese manufacturer has returned to 1.1% market share and is even leading the market among private customers. 72% of all Mitsubishi are purchased by private customers. A clear sign for the meaningful down-to-earthness of the Japanese.

Conclusion: The PHEV didn't want to drink, the author wasn't allowed to drink.

Link tip: The long-term test with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The vehicle registration for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2016)