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Plug it in is now taking on a new meaning at Mitsubishi. The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, or plug-in hybrid vehicle, is making a name for itself as a surprisingly luxurious, capable, SUV. It recently won the 2023 Family Green Car of the Year award from Green Car Journal, and is following in the footsteps of hte previous Outlander PHEV, which was a worldwide sales success.

But at $40,000, does the Outlander PHEV stand out as one of the best, or just the cheapest seven-seater SUV in its class?

It’s the only seven-seater PHEV at this price point

2023 $40,000 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on a road
New 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Mitsubishi

The new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has three rows of seating. At the $40,000 price point, you’re looking at the Kia Sportage, or the Toyota RAV4 Prime. But the Sportage seats six, and the RAV4 is a five-seater SUV. Most of us, though, want the extra cargo space that comes with a three-row SUV.

So, what are the three-row choices? The $60,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe or the $51,000 Kia Sorento? While those are solid three-row SUVs, they are spendy. That leaves the Outlander PHEV as the cheapest three-row PHEV SUV, even if the third row is a bit tight.

Yes, the base price is $$39,845

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander interior
Interior of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander | Mitsubishi

The Outlander starts at $39,845 in ES trim, and it comes well equipped with seating for seven, and several tech features we dig, like lane departure warning, predictive forward collision mitigation, and a 12.3-inch display for the driver. However, it also comes with features that only come on more more expensive packages on Hyundais or Toyotas, like wireless Bluetooth and Apple CarPlan and Android Auto. It also comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The $42,145 SE version comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated seats, hands-free liftgate and more. The ultimate version, the 40th Anniversary Edition, adds massaging leather seats, a heads-up display, and cool dark Black Diamond paint accented with a bronze roof for $49,995.

All-wheel drive is standard on the 2023 Outlander PHEV

All models are equipped as standard with a new generation Mitsubishi’s Super All-wheel Control  all-wheel drive system, allowing for greater vehicle control and increased confidence. The twin-motor system, utilizing the gasoline engine and front motor to drive the front wheels, and a stand-alone rear-mounted motor to drive the rear axle, has a 248-horsepower and 332 lb.-ft of torque. Overall, it earns a 64 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) rating from the EPA.

All-wheel drive is also standard on the RAV4 Prime, but it has 302 horsepower, which makes it one quick SUV. On the Sorento AWD is also standard and it makes 261 horsepower.

How many miles does the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV go on a full charge?

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander | Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV goes 38 miles on a full charge, and 420 overall. Plug-in hybrid SUVs blend the best of both worlds of EVs and Hybrids. However, the new Mitsubishi has one trick up its sleeve that not every PHEV has; it can use the gas motor to completely charge the battery. The company says that after 90 minutes of normal driving, the battery can be completely recharged. It also has regenerative braking, to charge the battery, as well as a the ability to connect to a fast charger.

In less than 40 minutes, you can fill 80% of the battery at a DC fast charger for about 30 miles of range. Also, unlike other PHEVs, the Outlander can become a 1,500-watt mobile generator than can power a campsite or your home for a few hours during a power outage. That’s one of the reasons the Green Car Journal recognized the Outlander. The RAV4 Prime, which is about the same price can partially charge itself from the engine and the regenerative brakes.

A Sorento PHEV can go 32 miles on a charge, while the Prime can go 42.

Say, “Hey Google,” and the Outlander responds

Say, “Hey Google,” and you can control many of the Outlander PHEV’s functions from you phone, such as turning on the headlights so you can find it in a dark parking lot. Other options include heated, massaging, seats, a 12.3-inch digital driver display that can show your drive modes and shows navigation in front of the driver. That’s in addition to the touchscreen on the center stack.

It also comes with Mitsubishi’s MI-PILOT Assist, which is the company’s suite of driver’s assistance features.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.