Mitsubishi is a brand that was already popular in Bulgaria back in the 1990s, with models such as the Pajero and Galant. Over time, however, the company fell behind the competition. The model range aged, and its cars no longer met customer expectations – particularly in Europe. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that the automotive division represents only a small part of the vast Mitsubishi corporation, whose focus has long been spread across multiple industries.
Now, for the first time in quite a while, the Japanese brand has a car that feels genuinely interesting. This is the fourth generation of the Outlander, and we are testing its updated plug-in hybrid version.
Desing
The Outlander’s design is typically Japanese – discreet and slightly anonymous, without a strong sense of visual continuity or identity. In Japanese culture, standing out excessively is generally frowned upon unless it’s backed by clear achievement. And it shows – the Outlander is not a car that will make you turn around for a second look.
The front end is the most controversial element. The split lighting arrangement and layered design create a somewhat unusual appearance. From the side, however, the car looks more conventional – a classic SUV silhouette that suggests a spacious interior.
Interestingly, the proportions make the Outlander appear larger than it actually is. The real dimensions are 4.72 metres in length, 1.90 metres in width and 1.75 metres in height, with 200 mm of ground clearance – more than sufficient for light off-road use.
Interior
The moment I opened the door, I immediately forgot about the anonymous exterior. The cabin of the Outlander, especially in the highest trim level, impressed me straight away. The seats are comfortable, finished in fine leather with a pleasant colour and diamond stitching that adds a genuine sense of luxury.
Ergonomics are excellent. There’s no minimalism for the sake of minimalism here. You get physical buttons for everything: climate control, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, head-up display activation and brightness adjustment. That’s a huge plus for those who prefer clear, tactile controls.
A subtle nod to Mitsubishi’s past can be found in the perforated leather steering wheel. The buttons are intuitive and well laid out. There are none of the cheap plastics often associated with Japanese cars – apart from a small panel low on the left side of the dashboard, which honestly didn’t bother me.
I particularly like the aluminium trim on the centre console and the generous use of padded leather surfaces. The overall impression is one of high quality. Storage compartments are adequate, although the door pockets could have been lined – something that’s becoming increasingly rare nowadays.
The infotainment system is fairly basic, and the voice assistant lags behind competitors, but again – with physical buttons available, I didn’t miss much. There are two rotary controllers: one for drive modes and another for battery management. It can be slightly confusing at first, but you get used to it.
The audio system is supplied by Yamaha. The rear seats are spacious, although the bench sits slightly low. There’s a third climate zone, and I appreciate small details like the phone pockets on the back of the front seats.
Until recently, I was convinced European interiors were the benchmark. But with the recent shift towards extreme minimalism at the expense of ergonomics, I’m no longer so sure. Here, that problem simply doesn’t exist.
On the Road
The powertrain choice in our market is straightforward: the Outlander is offered exclusively as a plug-in hybrid with 306 hp. The system combines a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 136 hp, a 116 hp front electric motor and a 136 hp rear electric motor. It’s an interesting configuration that sounds logical and durable on paper, suggesting long-term reliability.
Despite the 306 hp system output, don’t expect breathtaking acceleration. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes 7.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 170 km/h. More important here is the electric range, which varies between 84 and 111 km – a strong argument in favour of this setup.
The first impression, leaving the Mitsubishi showroom, is silence. In city conditions, road noise is almost non-existent – on par with a luxury car. It feels as if you’re gliding through the air, which is surprising given the relatively large wheels. Laminated front side windows certainly help.
That sense of luxury, however, fades when hitting the first significant pothole. The suspension is relatively firm. It’s not uncomfortable, but I expected slightly more softness from a car with this character.
In city driving, the primary audible element is the electric system – more specifically, the inverter, which emits a noticeable hum at first. The petrol engine engages almost imperceptibly and runs quietly and smoothly. There is, however, a slight delay in throttle response, and overall the performance doesn’t feel like that of a 300 hp car. I would have guessed something closer to 180–200 hp.
In practice, the Outlander behaves like an electric vehicle with a range extender. In urban driving, it operates almost entirely on electric power. Even sharper acceleration from a standstill or during overtaking doesn’t immediately trigger the engine. I like this approach, as it delivers the smoothness and immediacy of electric motors every time you pull away – one of the key advantages of EVs.
Steering is easy and predictable, without anything unusual. The parking cameras, however, suffer from low resolution. The exception is the digital rear-view mirror camera, which is excellent. The mirror can switch to a display showing a high-mounted rear camera feed – particularly useful when the boot is fully loaded or in poor weather.
The car also offers a one-pedal mode, although it’s not entirely authentic. The vehicle cannot come to a complete stop on its own, and you still need to use the brakes. In this mode, brake response can feel slightly abrupt and not particularly progressive.
Outside the city, on the winding roads between Vitosha and Rila, the Outlander leaves a positive impression. It feels stable and composed, with decent road feedback considering its class. If the battery is depleted, fuel consumption can rise to around 7 l/100 km, which means it’s important to adapt your driving habits to maximise the benefits of the hybrid system.
Conclusion
The Outlander successfully combines positive elements from the past with modern electrification. What impressed me most was the exceptionally comfortable and cosy interior – genuinely a pleasant place to spend time, whether in city traffic or on long journeys. I also appreciate the powertrain strategy, which prioritises the electric motors, allowing them to be used frequently and effectively.
Even with an empty battery, every city start-off is electric, after which the petrol engine joins almost imperceptibly. This makes the Outlander feel calm and unobtrusive – light and pleasant in everyday use.
If I could change one thing, I would soften the suspension slightly. That would align even better with the overall sense of comfort and understated luxury the car provides.
In my view, the Outlander is an excellent choice as a single all-round family vehicle for people who mostly drive in the city but also take longer trips. Prices range between approximately €59,000 and €69,000 (converted from 115,000–135,000 BGN), and current importer discounts of up to €10,000 on stock vehicles make the offer even more attractive.
— Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
