2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review
By Damon Minks
| Updated 3 Days Ago
Rumors are swirling that Mitsubishi’s 2025 Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is one of the market’s best new hybrid mid-size SUVs. We’re here to investigate this claim and see how it stacks up against its competitors, such as Toyota’s RAV4 Prime, Honda’s CR-V/Tucson hybrids, Ford’s Escape PHEV, and Kia’s Sorento PHEV.
MotoPickers Rating: 8.1/10
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was first released in 2013 as part of the third-generation Outlander SUV. This 2025 production year model, which starts at $40,445, is part of the Outlander PHEV’s third generation, which began in 2023.
New additions for the 2025 Outlander PHEV include:
- Heated front seats on all grades
- SEL trim receiving a heated steering wheel and panoramic roof
- Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard Services free trial is now five years instead of the previous two years
You’ll find what you want in the Outlander PHEV’s Sport counterpart that’s gas-powered if you seek more significant year-to-year changes. Right off the bat, we noticed this PHEV has quiet on-road operation, a contemporary-feeling cabin, and smooth ride quality. Owners will also enjoy inexpensive servicing costs and quality warranty protection. Still, it’s worth noting that the third row is a bit tight for adults.
Learn more about why some call the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV one of the market’s best mid-size SUVs and whether we agree below.
Exterior spotlight
The 2025 Outlander PHEV’s exterior is characterized by its muscular proportions reminiscent of Ford’s Explorer. Wheel sizes span 18”-20”, with the SEL Black Edition containing sleek 20” black alloy wheels. The SEL Black Edition also features a black dynamic shield, black chrome window trim, and black roof rails.
Outlander PHEV trims like the SE feature 20” two-tone wheels. Other dynamic exterior elements include two-tone exterior color options, with the contrast stemming from a black roof.
Primary options for this mid-size SUV’s exterior include:
- LED fog lights
- Dynamic grille illumination
- Chrome hood emblem
- Black hood emblem
- Black wheel locks and lug nuts
- Chrome wheel locks
- Front and rear mudguards
Those looking for the sportiest 2025 Outlander PHEV exterior are best suited to the RALLIART special edition, which contains RALLIART-exclusive graphics, a black roof, and a white diamond finish. Additional available exterior features consist of but aren’t limited to:
- Chrome body side molding
- Chrome door handle trim
- Front and rear corner aggressive front air dams
- A hood protector
- Aero-style roof rack crossbars for fitting various carriers
- Heated power side mirrors
A body-color rear spoiler with an integrated LED light is standard alongside LED turn indicators and grille shutters, which open and close for better aerodynamics and temperature management. While the hands-free power liftgate with adjustable height is an available feature, many competitors similarly offer this as an upgrade.
Drivers can choose from the following exterior color options:
- Graphite Gray
- Black Diamond
- White Diamond with Black Roof
- Alloy Silver Metallic with Black Roof
Regarding the competition, you’ll find that most of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s rivals present more extensive exterior color choices. Examples of these competitors include Honda’s CR-V and Toyota’s RAV4 hybrids. Despite this drawback, the new Outlander PHEV is able to hold its own on the exterior front.
Interior analysis
This Mitsubishi features three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. Insulation and dampening components mitigate road noise and vibrations for a more peaceful cabin, but tri-zone automatic climate control is an optional feature we’d prefer to see standard.
Front seats can get extra comfortable with the available massage function, and an optional memory function is key-linked to each driver. Second-row seats have available heated functionality, and while cargo space is limited behind the third row at 12.8 cubic feet (cu. ft.), folding down the third row expands storage to 30.8 cu. ft. behind the second row. Folding down the second row facilitates a maximum cargo capacity of 64.7 cu. ft.
Fabric seating surfaces are standard, with available options standard in higher trims, including leather-appointed, semi-aniline leather-appointed, and synthetic leather upholstery. Those seeking more leather within the 2025 Outlander PHEV’s interior can opt for a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, which is heated in the SEL grade. RALLIART buyers receive a model-exclusive push-button start and floor mats.
While the 2025 Outlander PHEV contains tighter third-row seating, this problem often plagues the mid-size SUV segment. You’ll also find standard three-row automatic climate control within Outlander PHEV rivals such as Honda’s Pilot Hybrid and Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid. There are multiple rivals that outperform this Mitsubishi’s cargo capacity behind its third row. Examples of these 2025 competitors include the Chevrolet Traverse with 23 cu. ft. and the Ford Explorer’s 18.2 cu. ft.
The 2025 Outlander PHEV’s interior has some drawbacks, but available features like a massage function for the front seats help it form a more premium feel to compete with models like Volkswagen’s Atlas.
Power and performance
This Mitsubishi contains a 2.4-liter MIVEC gas-powered engine that works alongside twin electric motors between three drive systems. In turn, drivers experience exceptional fuel economy of 420 miles or 64 combined MPGe. If the 2025 Outlander PHEV is 100% charged, you can travel up to 38 miles on pure electric power, which is three miles more than luxury hybrids like Volvo’s XC90 recharge.
Regenerative braking aids this fuel economy by converting kinetic energy into electricity to charge the battery. You can control regenerative braking manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Some mid-size SUVs have paddle shifters but low horsepower and torque. Paddle shifters are more fitting for the 2025 Outlander PHEV, given that it delivers a solid 248 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. You can also accelerate and decelerate with just the accelerator pedal via the pedal operation mode.
The 2025 Outlander PHEV has a standard four-wheel drive (4WD) all-wheel control system facilitating several drive modes, such as:
- Gravel
- Snow
- Mud
- Tarmac
- Power
- Normal mode
- EV mode
- Save mode
- Charge mode
Normal mode suits routine daily driving with balanced use of the gas engine and twin electric motors, while EV mode provides the aforementioned 38 miles of all-electric range. Those driving in Normal or EV mode will travel in near silence. Save mode has the gas engine work harder to save the battery for less-congested areas. Charge mode begins charging the battery up to full while similarly boosting gas engine usage.
It’s worth noting that this Mitsubishi’s towing capacity is relatively low at 1,500 lbs.—and ground clearance is adequate 7.9”. The 2025 Ford Explorer offers a 300-400 horsepower range if you’re after more horsepower. The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer has a minimum towing capacity matching the 2025 Outlander PHEV, but its towing range extends up to 4,500 lbs.
Tech overview
The 2025 Outlander PHEV offers a 9” touchscreen that’s standard in all grades except the base version, which has an 8” version. The digital driver’s display measures 12.3”—on par with the mid-size SUV segment. More expensive competitors like Volvo’s XC90 Recharge similarly have a 9” touchscreen.
Drivers can open or close their garage door from anywhere using the 2025 Outlander PHEV’s display or the MyMitsubishi Connect app, which also provides remote cabin climate preconditioning. When preconditioning the interior’s climate, you can schedule what time changes take place and set multiple timers for different parts of the day.
Wireless Android Auto enhances the 2025 Outlander PHEV’s value, and you can upgrade the audio system from six speakers to nine with the optional Bose package. However, you’ll need a wired connection for Apple CarPlay. Some drivers are starving for more physical controls, as automakers today tend to layer vehicle feature settings in multiple touchscreen menu layers. The 2025 Outlander PHEV provides hard buttons and physical knobs for volume and drive modes.
Steering wheel voice recognition control is standard, and the SE tech package includes the power panoramic sunroof, upgraded Bose sound system, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. The auto-dimming rearview mirror reduces glare from trailing vehicles’ headlights. Wireless phone charging is standard within higher trims like the SE and SEL. Overall, the 2025 Outlander PHEV’s tech is fairly basic, and some may take issue with the standardization of wireless Android Auto without wireless Apple CarPlay.
While competitors like the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge have a 9 “central touchscreen, several Outlander PHEV rivals have larger versions, like Toyota’s 2025 RAV4 Prime’s 10.5” display. Those prioritizing connected services will find more expansive offerings with Mazda vehicles like the Mazda CX-90, which also contains three rows.
Safety capabilities
Neither the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) nor the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) have rated the 2025 Outlander PHEV’s crash protection capabilities. However, the 2024 Outlander PHEV received the IIHS’ second-highest rating of Top Safety Pick behind Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA’s highest crash score of five stars.
Standard safety features
This mid-size SUV features auto on/off high beams, so you don’t have to worry about blinding other drivers at night or meticulously toggling the function manually. Blind-spot warning with lane change assist helps you swap lanes confidently via audible and visual alerts, and though distracted driving is becoming more common, the 2025 Outlander PHEV has an attention alert monitoring for and warning of distracted driving patterns.
Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection will warn of impending frontal crashes with other vehicles and pedestrians before implementing automatic braking if necessary. Lane departure warning continually scans road markings to alert you if you begin to drift without a turn signal.
Rear automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert take the edge off of reverse driving maneuvers. Several SUVs within the mid-size segment offer rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic emergency braking as an upgrade instead of standard. These two features receive support from rear parking sensors. This collection of standard driver-assist safety features indicates that the 2025 Outlander PHEV is on course for more high scores from the IIHS and NHTSA.
Available safety features
Those seeking additional stability may want to consider this SUV’s optional MI-PILOT Assist feature. This feature uses cameras and radar to automatically adjust steering inputs and reduce speed for better handling during curves. It also assists in keeping pace during stop-and-go traffic. Like most mid-size SUVs, this Mitsubishi’s multi-view camera system is an available upgrade.
Trim guide and owner considerations
Below are starting prices and some noteworthy features for each of the 2025 Outlander’s four trims. Each variant has several other highlight-worthy features, but the information below will serve as a starting point for distinguishing the lineup.
ES – $40,445
The base ES grade contains a 12.3” driver’s display, automatic LED headlights, and 18” alloy wheels.
SE – $43,095
This SUV’s wheel size increases from 18” to 20” two-tone alloys. The SE also offers a 9” central display, a wireless smartphone charger, and synthetic leather seating surfaces.
SEL – $46,395
SEL buyers get tri-zone automatic climate control, LED fog lights, and leather-appointed seating surfaces.
SEL Black Edition – $48,895
The Black Edition, as its name suggests, features several darkened exterior elements, such as black roof rails, 20” alloy wheels, chrome window trim, and a hood emblem.
Warranty information
Mitsubishi’s 2025 Outlander PHEV comes with exceptional warranty coverage. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Roadside assistance lasts five years and unlimited miles, and limited maintenance like oil and filter changes, tire rotations, and cabin filters is complimentary for two years or 30,000 miles. You can receive three oil and filter changes, three tire rotations, and one cabin filter change during this period.
Final verdict
It’s fair to say that the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is one of the market’s best mid-size SUV options. We wouldn’t say it’s the absolute best, considering its tech is pretty rudimentary, but this drawback doesn’t overshadow perks like its quality fuel economy and sleek muscular exterior. In addition to gaining competitive combined MPGe, you’ll receive a 38-mile all-electric range that gives more expensive rivals a run for their money. The 2025 Outlander PHEV is a solid 8.1/10 and justifies its position as the top-priced model in Mitsubishi’s lineup.