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Mitsubishi Outlander GX4h 2.0 PHEV Auto review: More polish for popular low-tax business car formula

Outlander PHEV
More refined with lower emissions - the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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7 December 2015

Mitsubishi Outlander GX4h 2.0 PHEV Auto

What is it?

SME company car favourite, the ground-breaking Outlander PHEV hybrid has been facelifted. Highlights are a new nose and improved consumption and emissions.

What’s hot?

  • The 2.0-litre petrol engine and the two electric motors are unchanged in the Outlander, but a reduction in engine friction and software optimisation has seen the CO2 emissions drop from 44 to 42g/km and fuel consumption improve from 148 to 156mpg.
  • That 156mpg consumption figure might sound improbable, but we saw around 100mpg during the week we had this car. In fact if you’ve got a charging point and you’re doing mostly in-town driving, trips to the petrol station will be less frequent.
  • Not near a charging point, no problem with the PHEV, as one of the cleverest bits of the car is that if you don’t have an electrical charging point it will do it itself – although this will make a dent in the fuel consumption.
Cabin of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Cabin of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  • Exterior changes are limited to a sleeker, more attractive, chrome-trimmed nose dubbed the ‘Dynamic Shield look’, smart new alloys, plus a new rear bumper.
  • Inside, the Outlander’s basic design is unchanged, although there seems to be an uplift in quality. You’ll spot the sparkly ‘Black ash’ trim first, then there’s the new leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel fitted to the range-topping GX4h. Other ways Mitsubishi have improved the refinement, is by fitting thicker glass and more soundproofing.
  • The Outlander PHEV has the security of four-wheel drive and although not a proper off-roader, it gives welcome extra grip when on wet and muddy country roads.
  • Interior space in the Outlander PHEV is decent front and rear. Although there’s no seven-seat option like the standard Outlander, the PHEV’s 453-litre boot is a good size and practically-shaped.
  • You’ll want for nothing with the range-topping GX4h, as it is very well-equipped with amongst other things, adaptive cruise control, LED headlamps, an electric sunroof and tailgate, leather trim, heated front seats, satellite navigation with HD 7” touch screen and 18-inch alloy wheels.
  • Standard safety kit is also impressive, with a Forward Collision Mitigation system, Lane departure warning and the Nissan-like 360 degree camera, which is controllable via the steering wheel.
  • Thanks to the petrol-electric powertrain, the company car tax rate is a mere 5 per cent – a 40 per cent taxpayer will only need to pay £91 a month.
  • CO2 emissions of 42g/km mean no VED, and the Outlander PHEV is one of the now very few cars exempt from London’s Congestion Charge.
  • Business car managers will like the Outlander too – it has a 100 per cent write-down allowance in the first year.
  • With the powertrain including a petrol engine, there is no range anxiety that often puts off business car users buyers. In fact, we saw over 400 miles during the week on test.

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