Buying a plug-in hybrid vehicle is a great way to transition to a fully electric one down the road. If you want to get one that stands out from its rivals, you might want to check out the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It has one feature that you won’t find with too many other plug-in hybrids. What does it offer, and what else impresses reviewers about this SUV?

What the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has that very few other plug-in hybrids have

What makes this Mitsubishi stand apart from its competitors is the fact that it can support DC charging (Level 3). The only other plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market that can use DC chargers are the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

According to CNET, most plug-in hybrids don’t support Level 3 charging. Most PHEVs use Level 1 and Level 2 units. The Outlander will take up to 7.5 hours to charge using a 15-amp unit. You can also charge it up using the Charge Hybrid setting. It should take around 94 minutes to get an 80 percent charge. However, it’s not a very efficient way of doing it. 

Of course, it’s not the only feature the reviewers liked about the vehicle. Here are four other items that impressed the publication about the 2023 Outlander PHEV. 

Traction and stability control system

One feature CNET reviewers liked about the Outlander is its Super All-Wheel control traction and stability system. Taking inches-deep standing water is a breeze with this Mitsubishi. Despite the awful conditions, the vehicle handled it so well that the reviewers hardly noticed the wet terrain. 

Mitsubishi provided the wet course used for the publication’s tests. The reviewers pushed the vehicle pretty hard on the track, more than you’d get on regular roads. Using the Sand/Rain driving mode, the SUV cornered quite well with little to no issues with the slippery pavement. 

Regenerative braking

As you see, with all-electric vehicles, the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid uses regenerative braking. With this Mitsubishi, you get five levels of regenerative braking, so you can select whichever mode you want to help you get the most out of the driving range. 

The Innovative Pedal Mode, new for the 2023 model year, attempts to replicate the one-pedal driving you get with a fully electric EV. It offers maximum regeneration when lifting the throttle, enabling you to drive without actually using the extra pedal. 

Plug-in hybrid powertrain

Another feature CNET reviewers were pleased with on the Outlander was its hybrid powertrain. The plug-in hybrid runs on a 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle gas-powered engine and a pair of electric motors. The front axle offers 114 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, while the rear axle runs on 134 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. 

The battery itself is a 20 kWh lithium-Ion unit, which Mitsubishi tucked under the cabin floor. When it comes to driving range, you can expect 38 miles using only electric motors. However, if you add the gasoline-powered engine, you can extend the mileage to 420 miles. 

Interior space

With the Mitsubishi Outlander, you get a third row of seats, which can be folded down into the cargo floor. This gets you 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row tucked away. You’ll also get 78.5 cubic feet of storage if you fold down the second as well as the third row of seats.

It has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a nine-inch infotainment display screen, and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can also opt for the Mi-Pilot driver assist aid and safety tech suite of features. 

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid vehicle promises to be an exceptional SUV. One of the main reasons is that it can use fast-charging units, which most PHEVs don’t.