Mitsubishi has treated its plug-in hybrid SUV to a range of upgrades for 2019 and can be ordered now.
With little styling changes made, you might be hard pressed to notice any differences to the exterior. However, the way the latest Outlander drives will be more noticeable.
New engine for 2019 Outlander PHEV
There’s now a larger 2.4-litre petrol engine in place of the 2.0-litre that previously powered the Outlander PHEV. Power is up from 121hp to 135hp, with torque climbing from 190Nm to 211Nm.
This SUV now takes 10.5 seconds to reach 62mph, over the previous model’s 11.0 seconds. Top speed is 106mph.
Upgrades for EV hardware too…
Upgrades to the electrical hardware include a bigger battery, with capacity increased by 15% from 12kWh to 13.8kWh. Battery output has increased by 10%.
The rear electric motor also produces 95hp now, instead of 82hp. You can read more about how the latest Outlander PHEV drives in the full review, but all of these upgrades have improved the acceleration in EV mode, propelling this SUV with a degree more urgency. The top speed in electric mode has also increased up to 84mph, over the previous model’s 78mph.
The claimed fuel economy figure drops down from 166.1mpg to 139mpg, but it’s worth noting the latter figure was achieved under the more stringent WLTP system and should be more achievable during ownership.
CO2 rises from 41g/km to 46g/km for the same reason and the EV range for the battery is 28 miles – down from the previous model’s 33 miles on the NEDC cycle. Despite this, the Outlander PHEV remains exempt from the London congestion charge.
The larger battery also means charging time on a 16A/3.6kW power source is up from 3.5 hours to 4 hours.
How much does the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost to tax?
|
|
OTR price |
Bik rate (%) |
Monthly BIK cost (20%) |
mpg |
|
Juro |
£34,255 |
13 |
£74.22 |
139 |
|
4h |
£37,000 |
13 |
£80.17 |
139 |
|
4hs |
£39,100 |
13 |
£84.72 |
139 |
|
5h |
£41,000 |
13 |
£88.83 |
139 |
|
5hs |
£43,100 |
13 |
£93.38 |
139 |
P11D figures were unavailable at the time of writing, but based on the prices above, the base-spec Juro model comes in at just over £74 per month for a 20% taxpayer.
Tweaks to on-road behaviour
Thanks to quicker steering and stiffer suspension, the 2019 Outlander PHEV will be more responsive to drive. Bigger front brake discs should improve stopping ability and there’s now a Sport button that sharpens throttle response, applies more steering weight and alters torque delivery between the front and rear motors.
Snow Mode has also been introduced to improve traction on low-grip surfaces.
Updates to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV interior in 2019
Styling changes to the exterior are minor, with mildly tweaked bumpers and a new alloy wheel design.
The range consists of Juro, 4h, and 4hs; with 4h being the best-seller. From October 2018 onwards, a new flagship 5h and 5hs will be available, with an on-the-road price of £41,000 – 43,000. This adds an upgraded leather interior, Alpine audio system, heated rear seats, ambient lighting and badge lettering on the bonnet.
The interior will be easier to distinguish over the outgoing models, with an updated instrument cluster and revised front seats for additional comfort. Rear passengers now benefit from a USB port and their own air vents.
A heated front windscreen is now standard on all models and maximises efficiency on cold mornings when used with the heated seats to warm up the cabin. This is claimed to consume less energy than relying on the climate control system.
