Mitsubishi has announced pricing and specifications for the 2021 Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV), revealing it will cost up to $4,000 more than the current year’s model, but it will come with the addition of two-way or bi-directional charging.
Mitsubishi says that prices for the Outlander PHEV will range from $47,990 for the entry level ES variant,and up to $60,990 for the range-topping Exceed before on-road costs. Both are up to $4,000 more than their 2020 predecessors, but customers will have the added choice of a mid-range GSR variant priced at $56,490.
The price hikes are largely because Mitsubishi also announced the 2021 model will be the first to include two-way, or bidirectional, charging capabilities, allowing it to be used to both store and discharge energy to and from the home and/or grid.
While there is no step up in battery size for the 2021 model, its 13.8kWh battery will deliver the same 54km all-electric range as its 2020 predecessor, but also transform the humble Outlander PHEV from a low emissions daily commute to a “battery on wheels”.
The addition of two-way charging capabilities – which customers will be able to use once certification is finally gained for bidirectional chargers – will paint the Outlander in a different light, Mitsubishi hopes.
While the Japanese car maker added an improved drivetrain and an additional “Sport” mode in the 2020 PHEV model, it only accounts for a fraction of 2020 Outlander sales (of the 8,000 or so units sold in 2020, a little more than 200 have so far been PHEV models).
As with previous Outlander PHEV models, the 2021 version comes with EV-priority mode, and can run the 2.4 litre 94kW engine either in series or parallel with the 60kW front electric motor and 70kW rear electric motor.
Charging can be done on both AC or DC points, taking from 7 hours for a standard at-home plug, to just 25 minutes on a DC fast charger.
The new mid-range GSR variant enhances the PHEV powertrain with a Bilstein premium suspension to improve the steering balance, stability and ride comfort afforded by the already low centre of gravity created by the vehicle’s under-floor battery.
The GSR variant also gets black front and rear bumper skid plates, door mirrors, roof rails and roof, as well as a black chrome plated radiator grille, front bumper air ducts, tailgate garnish. The tone is completed with 18” black/machined two-tone alloy wheels, and LED headlamps with auto levelling and front fog lamps.
Inside, the GSR variant gets stylish black accents, a silver-stitched armrest and for the driver, synthetic leather bolsters and electric four-way controls for the microsuede seat.
The premium experience is finished with Mitsubishi’s eight-speaker audio and an electronic tailgate, as well as the latest in Mitsubishi Motors safety (including forward collision warning and rear cameras) and driver assist tech including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings and auto high beam.
Other safety features include blind spot warnings, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and front parking sensors.
The Exceed also gets electric sunroof, electric heater, multi around vision monitor, a roof rail, navigation and speed limit display, as well as leather seats, and carbon print interior trim. While it gets premium upgrades such as headlamp washers and levelling, it only gets a self-coloured rear spoiler and roof, and standard suspension.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.