We have been accompanying the Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid Outlander for some time now. And he us. We started the endurance test in October 2014, back then with the first model. The original variant. And above all, at that time the plug-in hybrid Outlander was still the “first” plug-in hybrid SUV on the market. The pioneer of a whole armada of models that have meanwhile been brought onto the market by other manufacturers. Today the plug-in hybrid Outlander is the best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV on the market. In some European countries, the Mitsubishi PHEV is even the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle.
With the 2015 facelift, we were also allowed to swap our plug-in hybrid Outlander for the facelift version. We have been driving the “second generation” of the plug-in hybrid since November 2015. Many changes were mainly of an optical nature, but there were also "11 facts that had improved on the 2016 Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid Outlander ”.
With model year 2017, Mitsubishi does not change the look of the plug-in hybrid SUV, but it takes into account many of the changes requested by past models and adapts the Plug-in Hybrid Outlander in detail.
Changes to the model year 2017 of the Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid Outlander
1.) Often criticized, now changed, concerns the multimedia system of the PHEV Outlander. Mitsubishi is now offering a new generation that also comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The connection to the mobile phone becomes even more intensive. You will have to see in the test whether the operating logic of the rest of the device changes.
2.) 230 volt sockets: One in the second row and one in the trunk. After Mitsubishi has so far not done itself a favor with the offer of bi-directional charging, the right partners are simply missing here who can also offer the corresponding equipment. With the 230 volt socket, the vehicle can finally be used as a “power storage”, at least in small, made possible. (By the way: The ability of Bi-Directional charge is no longer advertised by Mitsubishi.)
3.) And the most important point, however, is a completely new function: “EV Priority”. A new button has moved into the center console. With the “EV button”, the plug-in hybrid deliberately prioritizes electric travel. Since the plug-in hybrid Outlander is still the PHEV SUV on the market with the greatest electric range, this function makes sense. And with this, Mitsubishi is responding to the often expressed wish of many PHEV buyers. This is where a test becomes particularly exciting. How does the PHEV Outlander act with it in winter? Heating and all-electric driving? What ranges will you achieve with it?
4.) The mechanical handbrake lever has given way to an electric handbrake. Not every interested party will like this, but even here it will have to show itself in everyday life, whether it is more of an advantage or a disadvantage.
5.) ETACS, the control system via smartphone or app, also seems to have been updated - we hardly used the remote control anymore, as the WiFi connection rarely worked for us. Here Mitsubishi should improve again and implement a web solution.
6.) The 2017er Outlander has got new security and assistance systems. A Ausparkassistent the cruising cross traffic warns and a blind spot assistant are helpful functions. In addition, a lane keeping assistant and a pedestrian detection for the emergency brake assistant was finally introduced.
7.) The purely electrical power is now given as “up to 54 km”. Which is 2 km more than before. Since the batteries were not updated, this increase is purely due to the control logic of the PHEV system. It would be exciting to find out how this affects the everyday life of the PHEV.
We currently have no date for the acquisition of the new model, but we hope for a speedy start!
Do you have questions about the plug-in Hybrid Outlander from Mitsubishi? Or do you drive yourself and want to share your experiences with us? Write us: aktion@autohub.de
