MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
The Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is gathering a strong following, especially for its hybrid ‘PHEV’ model.
Mitsubishi’s Outlander SUV has been available for a little while now – the first model was produced in 2001 – but it really started to gather more attention from 2013, when Mitsubishi introduced its plug-in hybrid version – the Outlander PHEV.
The Outlander PHEV was one of the first plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market, so Mitsubishi had a bit of a head start over its competition. This wasn’t the only reason that the Outlander PHEV has attracted so much attention though. Hybrid technology – especially plug-in hybrid variations – have been fairly expensive machines to date, but the Outlander PHEV is more affordable than some others, making it very attractive to customers looking to lease from Synergy either on a business or personal agreement.
The electric power can send the Outlander up to 33-miles in pure electric mode, making it great value for customers undertaking short journeys or running urban errands. For roads outside the city, an all-wheel drive system is engageable at the push of a button, meaning that the Outlander has the potential to deal with challenging conditions when they arrive. It shouldn’t be forgotten that there’s a diesel power option as well - the 2.2-litre turbo diesel can achieve around 50mpg and has 147bhp with 380Nm of torque, making it quite a punchy unit. Out back, there’s plenty of space for loading goods and equipment too, with 463-litres of boot space available when the rear seats are up and a huge 1,602-litres when those seats are folded down.
To drive, the Outlander is a comfortable and refined SUV that’s easy to drive and gives the driver a high driving position. The PHEV model features regenerative braking, which makes lifting off the throttle gives a similar effect to applying the brakes. Getting the hang of using this helps recharge the battery while driving and becomes very intuitive after some practice. Other noteworthy features across the Outlander range include smartphone integration, electric leather seats, a heated steering wheel, active safety technology, a powered tailgate, and 360-degree parking camera. Depending on your model some of these features may be optional extras.
Attractively designed, packed with technology and representing great value on business and personal lease agreements, the Mitsubishi Outlander’s growing popularity shows that the Japanese manufacturer is on the right track. An SUV worthy of consideration for any Synergy customer seeking an efficient performer.