2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs Ford Escape PHEV | Plug In Hybrid Faceoff

Can't afford or can't wait for a RAV4 Prime? Well, there are other plug in hybrids to choose from. Among the options is the Ford Escape which is one of the most efficient PHEV SUVs and the Outlander PHEV which has been one of the best selling PHEVs in the world. (Although you might not know it based on American sales alone).

[plemieux]

I love our 23 Outlander PHEV. It outperforms the EV range and the mpg. We hover around 70 mpg and average around 1400 miles between fill ups. It won Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the year in 2023 too!

[crazylala]

I have been very pleased with my 2023 Outlander PHEV so far. The advantages is the proven powertrain reliability, very good build quality, interior materials, a lot of luxury features at lower trim levels (mine is an SE Tech which has pano roof, power folding mirrors, and 360 camera), good EV only power, overall upscale feel, and unique presence on the road. Although the 3rd row is small, it is one of a kind. Anyone 5’-4” or shorter will fit just fine in the 3rd row.

[stefanbololoi]

The efficiency on the Escape is amazing: I’m getting anywhere between 75-80 km ev range on a full charge from March till November in the city driving; on highway at 100-110 km/h about 66 km!

[dwhall]

Alex, I appreciate your coverage of PHEVs. My Volt is 12yo, doesn't even feel like it's reached its half-life, and I'm going to drive it until it's dead. I bet we'll all have jetpacks by then.

[kristopr]

Loving my 2023 Mitsu phev. Need a bigger 2nd vehicle so can't wait to see if they share this powertrain in a Pilot or Pathfinder with better range than the CX-90.

[skycaptain]

Owned a 2023 Ford Escape PHEV in the top trim (sold it for a Mach E recently which I love). Quick review:
- Outstanding speaker system
- Great turning radius, easy to drive
- Electric range was about 31 miles around 80F and maybe 20 miles in 30-40F. Plugging in at home was a breeze
- Averaged about 39mpg
- Cabin was loud
- Back seat comfortable for visiting parents
- Great storage with seats folded down
- Weird rattle from back right corner I could never find (read something to do with inflow air for cabin)
- Folding heads up display wasn’t very useful
- Powerful headlights, loved the light bar
- Looks better than RAV4 (I truly thing the RAV looks like some ugly mutated Jeep)

Overall conclusion: I liked it, but the highest trim is not worth it unless you really want the speakers and leather seats. At the end of the day it’s a $29k Escape underneath. At the highest price point, though not a PHEV, either a Mach E or Lincoln Corsair are a better bang for your buck.

[curiouszac]

Did a trip- 3hrs with a 2023 outlander phev to the snow with 6 adults and luggage.Granted the person at the back was 5ft1 but anyone 5 ft 4 or bleow can sit there with everyone moving their seats accordingly.Good option to have.

[KO-sxuy]

I'm a long time Toyota owner and only owned a Mazda 3 otherwise - the Outlander PHEV blew the Rav 4 prime away in interior, tech, space, and handling (0.75 g skidpad is a joke). I liked the Tucson/Sportage but the forums are full of engine/hybrid failures and the Outlander still beats them in handling and acceleration and range (my best is 43 miles EV only and I get 31
mpg on hybrid mode). Drive one and you'll see why it's the best in the class. Globally the Outlander PHEV has sold more than 300k units since it came out in the early 2010s - far more than the Rav 4 and reliability likewise has proven to be superior. I bought mine cash, ($47.5k out the door fully loaded with the EV rebate for leases) the first new car I've ever bought just to show you how much I like it. Drive one, you'll see why. The AWD system is derived from the Lancer Evos with Yaw control - blows away every competitor in the class with a 0.85 g skid pad and rear bias (I can drift my car) and it handles better than my Mazda 3 did stock (crazy grip).

[CandycaneBeyond]

I'd like to see the Ford Maverick plug-in hybrid. I think that's the best bet

[kubi]

I just wish they'd rip out the 3rd row and give more storage on the Outlander. That's just about the only thing that holds me back. Even though it's not the most efficient phev, that electric drive feel is appealing as is a 20khW battery to do power things with when not driving.

[rightlanehog]

Alex, It has taken a very long time but I finally found something nice to say about the Outlander. It appears to have a genuine 40/20/40 second row.🥳🥳

[Monkuvi]

Outlander PHEV is best SUV here, space, power & overall everything. This comparison isn't an ideal

[reddog]

If Mitz made a five seat PHEV it would sell like hot cakes, my money is on the Mitz even though some aspects are in the negative, I live in Southern Alberta so we get the snow, great review. Thank you

[TheCapn]

I'm rooting for Mitsubishi, hope they can make a comeback!

[ruffmadman]

The Ford looks nice on the outside, but even sitting inside one for just a few minutes in an uber, it really feels like a penalty box. Plastic parts like the interior door grab dont seem to lock together. More like overlap/abut.

[JohnFromArlingtron]

I don't know about the west coast but Mitsubishi dealers are scarcer than RAV 4 Primes here in the DC metro region

[faheemabbas]

I’d personally wait for the updated Outlander that’s going to be revealed soon. It has a bigger screen and more EV range.

[WhoDeanyUnchained]

I like the Mitsubishi cockpit set up. The center screen size is just right, especially with how it pairs with the instrument cluster and HUD.

I think people really under-erestimate the real world value of having quick access buttons and switches. I would much rather have a button to change the driving mode, for example, instead of navigatng through a larger screen to make adjustments. I think it's more expensive to manufacture with more buttons, which is why many automakers are cutting those corners by increasing the screen size and adding menus

[nikolayrayanov]

The Mitsubishi Outlander is doing about 80 km on electric power alone, there's no way the Escape is doing so much with 11.3 kWh battery.

[reserva]

They sell hundreds of Mitsubishis every year!