The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid electric SUV that’s also available as a commercial 4×4 – the removal of the rear seats creating a small van-like load area. It underwent a significant engineering upgrade in early 2019, and now for the 2020 model year Mitsubishi has changed the trim level structure.
Previously, there was just a single, well-equipped model based on the Jura passenger-car specification. Now the Outlander PHEV Commercial is available in Reflex and Reflex Plus grades instead.
What’s the difference?
The difference is the regular Reflex isn’t quite as well equipped as the Jura was, meaning it costs a little less; the Reflex Plus is similar in terms of cost and standard kit.
Highlight items for the Reflex (above) include alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control with pre-heating function (so it can warm the cabin before you get in), keyless go, heated front seats, DAB radio, and rear parking sensors.
The Reflex Plus (above) has the same plus an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a reversing camera – while the alloy wheels are larger 18-inch items.
How practical is the Outlander as a van?
Both versions come with a full-height bulkhead and flat loading platform, capable of swallowing loads that are 1.0-metre wide and 1.65-metre long.
Payload capacity is 500kg.
Compared with a conventional van, this isn’t much in any respect – but most vans are less comfortable to drive than this, and the Outlander’s SUV silhouette helps it avoid unwanted attention as well.
It also comes with an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system and a petrol-electric powertrain that’s capable of a claimed 28 miles on electric power alone; total range between top-ups is as much as 406 miles, although that is based on a wild-sounding 139.7mpg figure.
This is tested to the latest WLTP standards, but it’s still not something you’re likely to see much in the real world unless you’re doing mostly short journeys that make maximum use of the batteries.
As a plug-in hybrid, these are best charged by attaching them to the mains, though they can be juiced-up by the petrol engine, too.
How much does the 2020 Outlander PHEV Commercial van cost?
The Reflex costs from £24,298, while the Reflex Plus is priced from £25,131 – both figures include the government plug-in vehicle grant (PiCG) and road tax but exclude VAT.
The previous Outlander Commercial Jura was priced from £25,113 when it was introduced in February 2019.
The only other petrol-electric hybrid commercial vehicle on sale in the UK is the Ford Transit Custom Hybrid, which costs from £39,145 but has a great deal more carrying capacity.
Also read:
>> Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial van full review
>> Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Commercial 2019 – new engine and sharper steering for hybrid SUV-van
