New low-tax Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in goes on sale

Order books have opened for the new Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in (PHEV). The big news is that the plug-in version will carry virtually no premium over its diesel counterpart. That means it’s the only plug-in hybrid so far to cost pretty much the same as the equivalent diesel engine.

Prices start at £28,249 (including the £5,000 plug-in car grant reduction) and CO2 emissions of 44g/km mean, crucially for company car drivers, very low tax bills.

Based on the above figures a 20 percent taxpayer will be paying only £27.71 per month for the five-seat 4×4 for the 2014/15 tax year. Thanks to its sub-50g/km of CO2 output, tax-payers will not see their monthly tax bills rise until the 2016/17 tax year when the Outlander PHEV will move into a seven percent BIK tax band. The cleanest diesel Outlander sits in a 23 percent BIK tax band.

The Outlander PHEV can run on electric power alone for 32.5 miles up to speeds of 70mph (according to official figures) meaning fewer trips to the petrol station.

Twin electric motors are paired with a 2.0-litre petrol engine which has a claimed average official fuel consumption figure of 188mpg, although it is unlikely you will see this figure surpass 100mpg in real-world driving conditions.

Mitsubishi has invested heavily in green technologies and has some set some pretty challenging targets including a plan for EVs and hybrids to represent 20 percent of its global sales by 2020.

The Japanese firm is hoping that the Outlander PHEV’s low starting price and practical features will appeal to company car drivers and help the firm achieve its target to double sales within the next three years and surpass 50,000 global sales of the Outlander PHEV by the end of the year.  

It is the first plug-in 4×4 to go on sale here in the UK and is offered in three trim levels: GX3h GX4h and GX4hs.

Standard equipment highlights include cruise control, Bluetooth, dual-zone air conditioning and 18-inch alloy wheels. Moving up the trim levels brings leather upholstery, sat-nav, heated seats and electric tailgate.  

Boot space has been slightly sacrificed over the standard Outlander at 463 litres, however it is bigger than your average hatchback. Braked towing capacity has reduced from the diesel’s 2,000kg to 1,500kg.

To read more on the Mitsubishi Outlander click here to read our full review.