Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review

It’s the same in here as it’s been for the last few years – since the last facelift in 2016. So, unlike the normal Outlander you can’t have seven seats, because the batteries have to live somewhere, and that somewhere is under the boot floor. Handily, that’s the only penalty for going PHEV instead of ICE, so the boot is still a reasonable 463 litres, and the rear bench spacious enough given the size of the car. The fronts have been redesigned, and you can have fancier leather than ever before. The driving position is high and mostly comfortable – but there’s no height-adjustment or power operation for the front passenger.

No sat-nav either – not even as an option. Mitsubishi says they might offer it in future, but that not offering it hasn’t been a massive issue for them. After all, most people use their phones nowadays, either in a cradle or tethered via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – both of which are present in the Outlander. If Mitsubishi’s built-in navigation is anything like the rest of the system, we’d suggest they forget it. The screen is small, low-res and the menus conceited. You’ll be better off with your phone.

As for the design and layout, it feels its age. None of the plastics are especially satisfying to the touch, but are no doubt durable enough to withstand even the most unreasonable five-year old. Bit utilitarian – especially some of the switchgear – but not poorly specified (except the lack of nav).