2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review: Go even further

One of the best traits you can look for in a new vehicle is that it’s comfortable and functional for longer road trips while serving your daily needs well when you’re at home. For drivers who can take advantage of its charging capability, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may fit that bill nicely. With its refresh for 2026, it has a longer electric driving range of 72 kilometres for emissions-free commuting. We’ll explore this and other updates in this 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review.

For this test drive, we drove the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT-Premium on a road trip from downtown Vancouver to British Columbia’s Golden Ears Provincial Park. This experience was hosted by Mitsubishi Motors Canada.

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2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV pros and cons

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV pros

• Improved 72-kilometre electric range  
• Better standard technology
• Steering, handling, and exterior noise improvements

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cons

• Third row is still too tight for most purposes
• Significant front-to-back rock, especially when stopping
• Interior materials don’t match the highest price points

What’s new on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV receives significant updates to its battery pack. Capacity improves to 22.7 kWh, up from 20 kWh in the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which increases its available electric-only range to 72 kilometres. This means the 2026 Outlander PHEV can go up to 690 kilometres with a full charge and a full tank of fuel. You’ll also see better acceleration at higher speeds, more time spent in EV mode without engaging the gas engine, and slightly faster Level 3 charging times.

The 2026 Outlander PHEV also receives the same updates that were applied to the gas version of the Outlander in 2025. On the PHEV, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now standard equipment. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is also standard on the PHEV, receives upgraded graphics and a faster refresh rate. Ventilated seats are now available beginning at the SEL trim, Yamaha sound systems are equipped across the board, and more insulation makes the cabin quieter. Minor exterior and interior updates are also included with the refresh.

What competes with the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

As a plug-in hybrid compact SUV with a third row, no other vehicle in the automotive industry competes directly with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. However, as outlined below, the Outlander PHEV’s third row is a very tight space that works for occasional use at best.

In that context, if we consider the Outlander PHEV as a two-row plug-in hybrid compact SUV, its competitors include the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sportage PHEV, and Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid. The slightly larger Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid is priced in the same neighbourhood as well. The top end of the Outlander PHEV line-up is within a few thousand dollars of the starting price of the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring, Lexus NX 450h+, and Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e.

How much power does the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?

With a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a combined power output of 297 horsepower. Since peak torque comes online at different points during acceleration for the gas engine and the electric motors, Mitsubishi Motors Canada is not releasing official torque figures. However, there is a published figure in the 2026 Outlander PHEV specs of 332 lb-ft of torque from the electric motors when using Power mode.

Power is routed through single-speed transmissions at the front and rear transaxles. Mitsubishi’s Super All-wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system is standard. With brake-based torque vectoring on each axle, S-AWC is one of the better AWD systems, particularly at the Outlander PHEV’s price point.

What is the towing capacity on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a maximum tow rating of 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) when properly equipped.

What is the electric range of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

Thanks to improvements to its battery pack capacity, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is rated for an electric-only range of 72 kilometres. This is up from the 61-kilometre capacity in the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

My colleague and I started our drive from Vancouver showing an even better range of 85 kilometres. This is mainly because the climate control system was turned off, which helps to reduce energy use, and we left it off for most of our drive since it was a very comfortable day. By the time we reached Golden Ears Provincial Park, we had made it nearly 80 kilometres before the battery was drained. While conditions were ideal during our test drive, this is a positive sign that the 72-kilometre range estimate is consistently achievable.

How fuel-efficient is the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

Once the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s battery is drained and the vehicle is operating in hybrid mode, it averages fuel economy of 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.6 on the highway, and 8.6 combined. This is an improvement over the 2025 Outlander PHEV, which had average fuel consumption of 9.2 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 9.0 combined.

How long does it take to charge?

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continues to come with two charging ports, a J1772 port for Level 2 charging and a CHAdeMO port for Level 3 fast charging. The latter’s 10 to 80% charge time is improved to 29 minutes, down from 38 minutes for the previous battery. However, as fewer new EVs are sold with CHAdeMO ports, expect fewer public charging stations to be equipped with this connector in the coming years.

Using a Level 2 charging station, the 2026 Outlander PHEV can recover from 10 to 100% charge in roughly six and a half hours. With Level 1 charging using a household plug, a 10 to 100% charge takes 16.5 hours.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV driving impressions

Most of the updates to the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV don’t directly affect its drive dynamics. However, there are a couple of notable improvements in that area. The battery’s increased output means the Outlander PHEV can run in electric mode more often, and acceleration is faster at speeds above 40 km/h. The refresh also brings a firmer on-centre steering feel at higher speeds.

One trait that hasn’t changed is the number of ways the Outlander PHEV can be customized for driving style and varying conditions. There are seven drive modes — Power, Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud — plus the regenerative braking system has five different levels of recovery available that can be adjusted with the steering wheel paddles.

The EV button lets you force the Outlander PHEV to drive in electric mode only, save the electric charge for future use, or use energy captured from the engine and regenerative braking to recharge the battery on the fly. A one-pedal drive mode button is available, but it doesn’t hold the vehicle at a complete stop.

Overall, the Outlander PHEV delivers a very pleasant driving experience. It handles curves well, and the ride quality offers a comfortable balance without being overly firm or compliant. The updated steering feel is a helpful improvement that makes the SUV feel more communicative.

The one thing the 2026 changes haven’t improved is the pitch — the front-to-back rebound you’ll feel especially when coming to a stop — which can be quite dramatic at times. And while power delivery is excellent when the battery has charge, acceleration feels strained by comparison once it’s drained and you’re relying much more heavily on the engine. However, this latter trait is common among plug-in hybrids. Improvements to sound deadening make for a slightly quieter cabin, although some road and wind noise was still evident during our testing.

Infotainment and technology features

A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is now standard in the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This is an important improvement over the 2025 model, which had 8- or 9-inch screens and required a cable for Android Auto on all trims.

SiriusXM 360L is available beginning at the LE trim, and owners can opt in for a discounted three-year subscription at the time of their Outlander purchase. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster carries over as standard equipment, now with updated graphics that better match the infotainment system as well as a faster refresh rate.

A wireless charging pad and keyless entry come in at the SE grade, one level above the base model. From the SEL trim, the Outlander PHEV can save different settings for each key fob such as infotainment preferences and seat and mirror positions. Climate controls are still laid out on a separate panel with buttons and knobs, a detail some drivers appreciate.

Size and exterior design

Dimensionally, there are no differences between the 2025 and 2026 versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The 2026 refresh brings minor exterior updates, which include a smoother grille design, new front and rear skid plate designs, smoked taillight covers, and a new machined 18-inch alloy wheel for the LE trim. These changes align with those applied to the gas-only Outlander for the 2025 model year.

Interior design

Like the exterior, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV receives interior updates for 2026 that match those applied to the gas-only model in 2025. Changes include the larger standard screen as well as some new interior colour schemes, most notably the brick brown semi-aniline leather available on the GT-Premium trim seen on our test unit. This colour gives the interior an interesting look, but the material quality doesn’t match this trim’s $60,000-plus price point.

Every version of the Outlander PHEV comes with a Yamaha sound system. Eight speakers are included on lower trims, while the Ultimate system equipped beginning at the GT trim includes twelve speakers mounted behind intricate metal covers. In our GT-Premium tester with the brick brown upholstery, these covers have a very attractive gunmetal finish as opposed to the bright silver often seen in competitors.

How much interior storage does the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?

Interior storage on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is average for the segment. Each front door includes a bottle holder and a pocket, while the rear doors have a bottle holder only. The rear middle seatback pulls down to double as an armrest with two cupholders and a functional ski pass-through when the third row is not in use. The centre console bin is large enough to hold a wallet, some keys, and road trip snacks, but it can’t hold a larger wristlet-style handbag.

Seat comfort

The Outlander PHEV’s front seats are very comfortable and supportive for long drives. Heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment are standard. A heated steering wheel comes in at the SE grade along with heated and power-folding exterior mirrors and a power panoramic sunroof. Ventilated front seats are offered beginning at the SEL grade as a new feature for 2026.

Second-row occupants will find plenty of head and legroom, and heated second-row seats are equipped beginning with the SEL grade.

Because the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a compact SUV, it has the tightest third row space of any vehicle you can buy new with three rows today. If you need six or seven seats on a daily basis, the Outlander PHEV is unlikely to meet your needs.

How many car seats fit in the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s third-row seats do not come with LATCH connectors, and this space is tight enough that it’s inappropriate for anything but backless booster seats. In the second row, two car seats will fit in the outboard positions, or a single car seat can be installed in the centre position.

How much cargo space is in the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has 362 litres of cargo space available when the third row is deployed, 872 litres when it’s stowed, and 1,832 litres when all rear seats are dropped. Because the Outlander PHEV is in the compact class, each of these figures is lower than average for a three-row SUV. The figure behind the second row is also below average for a compact SUV.

Where is the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV built?

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV units sold in Canada are assembled at the automaker’s facilities in Japan.

How much is the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in Canada?

Canadian pricing on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $49,998 for the ES trim, not including the $2,125 destination charge or other fees. This has been lowered slightly from the originally announced starting price to allow the base trim to qualify for the federal government’s newly available PHEV rebate of $2,500 under Canada’s Electric Vehicle Affordability Program. Note the Outlander PHEV may also qualify for provincial and territorial rebate programs where they still exist.

The SE trim is priced at $52,598 before fees, while the LE starts at $54,798, the SEL at $57,598, the GT at $60,598, the GT-Premium at $61,698, and the Noir at $63,048. Aside from the base ES trim, the 2026 Outlander PHEV is priced too high to qualify for federal government EV rebates. The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is available at dealerships now.

Is the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV worth buying?

Canadians have been supportive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It’s been the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Canada for most years since its launch, including the last three years in a row. On top of that, Mitsubishi sells more Outlander PHEVs in Canada than in any other market in the world. Its versatile combination of electric and gas driving, capable all-wheel drive system, occasional-use third row, and interior comfort and SUV profile make it a practical choice. Mitsubishi Motors Canada’s 10-year, 160,000-kilometre warranty also provides some peace of mind.

Tech-minded buyers will want to consider the 2026 model as its infotainment system is significantly improved. However, with the highest trims now cresting the $60,000 mark, buyers will want to weigh how they drive and which features they want versus how much they’ll save on fuel over the life of the vehicle when deciding whether the PHEV is worth the premium.

The obvious value leader is the ES trim as it’s the only one that qualifies for the new federal rebate, and it’s well-equipped for the price. However, it’s missing key features like a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and a heated steering wheel. It’s also likely to be in high demand, which may make it hard to find. The SE trim adds those features and also provides good value despite not qualifying for the federal rebate.

There’s nothing else on the market quite like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. For Canadians who appreciate zero-emissions driving, want an occasional third-row seat, and will keep the car for long enough to benefit from its generous warranty, this SUV remains likely to be a great fit.

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