The sense of steady, satisfying progress
characterises early life in our Mitsubishi Outlander plugin hybrid 4x4. Some
1,500 miles have passed in the fortnight since our previous update, but in
spite of the high-mileage service, average economy has improved to within a
whisker of 38mpg.
It’s still rising — albeit in small doses.
With every charge, the trip computer’s overall tally climbs by three or
four-tenths — even when 25 electric miles are followed by the 75 range-extended
petrol miles that it takes to get to and from home and my company. A typical
one-way commute started with a full battery usually ends in an individual
economy return in the high 40s, but I’ve seen as much as 55mpg at peak times.
The
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a 200bhp hybrid SUV capable of 0-60mph in 10.0sec
That’s because the Outlander loves traffic.
Its electric motors drive through single-speed transmissions, so they don’t
need a high, steady cruising speed to be efficient. They also regenerate energy
— and the adaptive cruise control typically slows the car accurately and
smoothly using the electric motors when the queues build. So 50-60mph on a
congested M40 is far more economical than 75mph on a quiet one.
All of a sudden, busy roads don’t bother
me. I’m tempted to actively seek them out, in fact. In that respect, the
Outlander is the perfect vessel to tackle modern Britain’s congested motorway
network: calming, quiet, comfy, commanding, unhurried. Ideal — almost.
Headroom
is generous and the control layout is sensible
I do wish that it rode better. The PHEV’s
chief limitation also happens to be one of its key attractions: that, aside
from the clever powertrain, it’s just an Outlander. Although this means that
it’s not too quirky for mass-market tastes, it also means that it’s pretty
average to drive: a bit brittle-riding, and less precise, controlled and
consistent in its handling than some of its competition. Like all Outlanders,
it’s an old-school SUV: dynamically compromised on the road, to allow for
off-road ability that you’ll probably rarely need or use. Still, if you like a
driving experience that feels robust and ready for anything, you might very
well like it like that.
Six weeks after making contact, British Gas
has yet to install my wall-box charger. I waited in for its installer one
afternoon this week, only for him to arrive without the parts that he needed.
Apparently, there’s a rush on ‘universal’ 16-amp boxes. He also took one look
at my stopcock and decided that it needs earthing (I’ve often thought the same
thing), and wants me to do a bit of light DIY in preparation for his work on my
RCB electrical box.
Rear
cabin headroom is just 10mm off the maximum available in the front, so it's
spacious enough back here
Still, it’s all diverting fun — and before
long, everything should be in place to make life with the Outlander
idiot-proof. Meantime, we’re using the car at weekends for as many
economy-boosting electric-range trips as we can think of — such as a trip to
Silverstone to hook up with Mitsubishi UK’s 40th anniversary
celebrations recently. It was great to see a field made up of Lancers, Evos,
Starions and 3,000GTs, as well as one quite rare Sigma saloon.
Evidently, there’s still lots of affection
for this Japanese brand on British roads — and more to come, I’m sure.
