Here are the competitors of the upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has teased the upcoming Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at the recently-concluded Philippine International Motor Show ahead of its launch this August. 

And with the abundance of PHEV midsize sport utility vehicles (SUV) on the market today, it’s only worth asking whether or not the returning Japanese nameplate has what it takes to face competitors in the segment it once called home? 

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV specifications 

To understand what the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has to offer, we take a quick look at its available specifications, which we fetched from the Department of Energy list of recognized electrified models. 

Giving it power is a 2.4-liter gasoline engine paired with two electric motors (front and rear), which generate the following figures: 

Engine maximum power (in horsepower [hp>)	131
Electric motor maximum power (in hp), front and back	114, 134
Engine maximum torque (in Newton-meters [Nm>)	195
Electric motor maximum torque (in Nm), front and back	255, 195

The exterior of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets Montero Sport-like appointments and rides on modern-looking wheels. Its cabin gets leather upholstery, 12.3-inch digital displays (infotainment and digital gauge), a sunroof, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. 

Ahead of its time? 

For the uninitiated, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was offered here in the Philippines, but was quietly pulled out of the roster just a few years back. 

The last time the author personally saw the model on display was at the Mitsubishi Dendo Drive House at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit. 

Many would argue that motorists then were probably not ready for a PHEV SUV, and with how petroleum products were priced several years ago, it did not make sense to leave a tried and trusted all-internal combustion engine-powered platform in exchange for one that packs an electric motor for the sake of sustainability. 

But things changed after the Middle Eastern oil crisis broke out. 

Snobs who wouldn’t even touch Chinese cars now consider driving one because these brands have an expansive selection of hybrids and all-electric models that promise savings not only in operational cost but also in maintenance. 

And in the past Manila International Auto Show, these China-made vehicles dominated. 

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Welcoming committee 

With the abovementioned discussed, it is only proper to say that the bars in the midsize PHEV SUV segment have been raised. 

On that note, here are the nameplates looking to warmly welcome the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. 

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i 

Coming in as one of the popular models under the ACMobility-led brand, the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i offers drivers a decent mix of a capable hybrid powertrain and a dash of technologies that will wow those transitioning to electrified mobility. 

Under the hood is an electric vehicle (EV)-first configuration, combining a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, which acts as a “range-extender” or a generator for the electric motor. 

The setup makes 194 horses and 300 Nm of torque.  

Range-wise, it can travel up to 71 kilometers (km) using electric power alone, and up to 1,001 km with the range-extender in play. The BYD Blade battery can be recharged using the power provided by the high–efficiency generator or by plugging the car into an EV charger since it is a PHEV SUV.   

Niceties come in the form of things like LED illumination, a set of 18-inch wheels, power windows and side mirrors, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.1-inch rotating infotainment screen. 

Jaecoo J7 SHS 

Another competitor in the small SUV category is the Jaecoo J7 SHS. 

Power for the boxy SUV comes from a PHEV setup that combines a gasoline-fed powerplant with an electric motor situated at the front wheel axles. Together, they make 275 hp and 365 Nm of pulling power. 

It has a combined range of up to 1,488 km, and can also be juiced by refueling at a gas stop or by way of an alternating current or direct current EV charger. 

With a squarish body, the Jaecoo J7 SHS flaunts sharp-looking LED lights, a set of sculpted 19-inch wheels, seamless receding door handles, an immersive 14.8-inch infotainment system with a smaller digital instrument panel, and a wireless smartphone charger.  

GWM Haval H7 

Another contender would be Great Wall Motor (GWM) Philippines’ upcoming Haval H7. 

While the model is yet to be launched next week, details about the PHEV SUV can be found on the brand’s website. 

Propulsion is facilitated by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with electric motors either fitted at the front wheel axles only or both. The four-wheel drive variant makes 359 hp and 760 Nm. 

Outside are robust-looking appointments like a skid plate-like feature, tough-looking wheel arches and side sill garnishes, monotone wheels, (and in true classic SUV fashion) a swing out rear door. 

The cabin comes with a multi-functional steering wheel with a head-up display for added convenience, as well as a panoramic sunroof, a center console with a cooling compartment, and rear air conditioning vents for the passengers in the back. 

Verdict 

Looking just at the numbers, it appears that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is well-suited to take on the challenges posed by the Chinese PHEV SUVs it will compete with. 

However, these are just numbers, and there are many factors that will change how one looks at these figures. 

We will find out how well the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV stacks up against the competition once it formally rolls out. 

One thing is for sure, the writer cannot wait for MMPC to bring in the Metal Gear Solid-inspired build of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. 

With report from Carmudi Philippines

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