Mitsubishi unveiled the 2022 Outlander earlier this month, but the company hasn’t forgotten about the ‘old’ Outlander PHEV. Quite the opposite as Mitsubishi Motors North America has introduced the 2021 Outlander PHEV which features a significantly revised powertrain. Starting under the hood, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder has been replaced by more powerful and efficient 2.4-liter engine that produces 126 hp and 201 Nm of torque. This is a modest increase of 9 hp and 15 Nm. The changes don’t stop there as engineers installed an upgraded electric motor that develops 94 hp. This is an increase of 13 hp.
Thanks to the new engine and motor, the
2021 Outlander PHEV has a combined output of 221 hp. That doesn’t sound terribly impressive, but
it’s 31 hp more than its predecessor. Elsewhere, there’s a new
13.8 kWh battery pack. This increases the electric-only range to 39
km while also raising the electric-only top speed to 134 km/h.
Rounding out the changes are updated
powertrain software for “improved synchronization between battery and engine.”
The model also receives noise, vibration and harshness improvements, new Sport
and Snow driving modes, and a new Limited Edition (LE) trim. The latter
features a sportier appearance thanks to a blacked-out grille, blackout bumpers
and 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark chrome finish. The crossover also comes
equipped with a sunroof and a premium audio system.
Despite the extensive upgrades, pricing
remains unchanged as the 2021 Outlander PHEV starts at US$ 36,295. That being
said, the larger battery pack allows the model to be eligible for a more
generous federal tax credit of US$ 6,587. This is US$ 751 more than last year’s model.
