The Toyota RAV4 Prime is one of the best plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs. However, it has attracted tons of competition from contenders like the Mitsubishi Outlander. Mitsubishi produced the Outlander PHEV for the first time in 2023 to compete directly against the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Here is how the two vehicles compare.

The power battle: which of the two plug-in hybrids outperforms the other?

Toyota says the new RAV4 Prime packs high horsepower, range, and drivability. The vehicle’s hybrid engine provides 302 horsepower from its front and rear motor. Compared to its new rival, its power out does the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which only delivers 221 horsepower from the gas motor and 47 horsepower from the electric motor.

Edmunds notes that the RAV4’s superiority extends even to towing capacity. The car expert explains that the Toyota RAV4 Prime has a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 lbs, while the Outlander can only pull a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.

With a torque of 184 lb-ft, the RAV4 Prime has the upper hand in terms of smooth acceleration. A driver can accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, compared to the Outlander’s 9.7 seconds and lower 179.9 lb-ft of torque.

2023 RAV4 Prime vs. Outlander PHEV fuel efficiency comparison

One of the main reasons people want any plug-in hybrid vehicles is to get an extra electric driving range and have a bailout if they are out of fuel. Toyota reports that the RAV4 Prime has an electric engine that draws power from an 18.8 kWh battery to deliver an extra 42 miles of driving range. Together with the gasoline engine, the new RV4 provides a driving range of 580.0 in the city and 522.0 miles on the highway.

On the other hand, Mitsubishi says that the Outlander electric engine draws electricity from a 20 kWh battery to extend the driving range by 38 miles. With a full charge and a full tank, the Outlander offers a total driving range of 420.0 miles. 

However, Edmunds notes that the Outlander’s tank capacity is 14.8 gallons while the RAV4’s tank capacity of 14.5 gallons. The RAV4’s relationship between fuel and consumption gives it an upper hand in fuel efficiency. While the Outlander has a bigger fuel tank and a larger battery capacity, it delivers a shorter driving range at full tank and full charge. 

Which of the two PHEVs has the most seating and cargo space?

A third-row seat is one feature of the Outlander PHEV that the RAV4 can’t match. The Outlander’s length is 185.4 inches, while the Toyota RAV4 is 180.9 inches. Both vehicles have a maximum cargo capacity of 33.5 cu-ft.

However, the Outlander has an extra row of seats, allowing it to carry up to seven people. Extra passenger capacity makes the Mitsubishi Outlander an excellent SUV for big families. In comparison, the RAV4 can only seat up to 5 people, which is suitable for smaller families. 

Price and warranty of the RAV4 Prime and the Outlander PHEV

The Toyota RAV4 has a starting MSRP of $42,340, making it a more expensive option than the Mitsubishi Outlander, which starts at $39,845. All two vehicles are subcompact SUVs with hybrid powertrains but with different capabilities.

However, Mitsubishi offers better warranty coverage for the Outlander than Toyota for the 2023 RAV4. The 2023 Outlander comes with a 5-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty, while Toyota offers a 3-year or 36,000 miles basic warranty for the RAV4.

Owners can leverage the 10-year or 100,000 drivetrain warranty with a new Outlander PHEV, but the drivetrain coverage reduces to five years or 60,000 miles when they pick the RAV4.

While both vehicles perform well, have promising fuel efficiency, and offer enough cargo space, when narrowed down to specific features, the RAV4 has the upper hand.