A lot of people discover their love of the environment through a natural drive to explore. The vehicles we choose take us on amazing adventures and to awesome, rugged spaces. They are much more than simply machines and If you’re a guy with a thirst for adventure AND a desire to keep nature as wild as possible, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is your ultimate ride. To test it out, we took it on a road trip adventure between Portland and the Oregon coast to see what it was like exploring one of the most incredibly picturesque parts of the country.
Combining rugged performance with eco-conscious innovation, this SUV delivers unmatched versatility and capability. ManTripping headed out to coastal Oregon to put this vehicle to the test. Here’s why it stands out as the perfect partner for your outdoor pursuits.
Power Meets Precision
Anytime electric vehicles come up in conversation, there’s a stereotype that - at their core - they’re all basically tame little city vehicles, right? Let’s put that aside right now: the Outlander PHEV’s advanced twin-motor 4WD system, coupled with Mitsubishi's Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC), provides unmatched traction and stability in diverse terrains. We drove this thing all over slick seaside roads, through verdant wine country and alongside splashing waterfalls at stomach-flopping speeds, and it kept up with every single twist and turn.
Whether you're navigating snowy mountain roads or tackling muddy trails, its seven drive modes ensure confidence and control at all times. An innovative pedal operation mode actually allows this vehicle to both accelerate and decelerate with single-pedal operation using just the accelerator pedal, which resulted in excellent control on the windy roads we experienced.
The rear axle is electric only, meaning there is no mechanical connection from front to back, so the car is theoretically capable of having 0% drive in front and 100% in back or vice versa. In reality, the computer will always supply some power to both, but this core design choice means the driver has a ton of control over their driving experience. My favorite part of the drive trip was when I discovered that the super-fun mud mode turns traction control off so you can spin the wheels because the larger motor is in the rear - leading to this being a REMARKABLY aggressive vehicle.
I know tire noise is often an issue in electric vehicles due to lack of powertrain noise, but Mitsubishi has even managed to get a handle on that by connecting the rear suspension cross members to the body through bushings. They’ve also shut out the typical high-frequency inverter noise typical of electric vehicles but integrating the rear control unit with the rear motor and removing it from the cabin (which also made space for a third-row seat!).
Thinking About A Cruise Or Resort Vacation?
The system leverages lessons from Mitsubishi's rally racing background in events like the World Rally Championship and Dakar Rally to deliver power and precision. I think what sets this PHEV apart from others is that Mitsubishi understands that drivers want their vehicle to drive exactly as the driver intends in any kind of weather. That insight is what makes this vehicle truly ideal for adventurers who crave high performance.
Go Further with Confidence
This SUV seamlessly blends electric efficiency and extended range. Its 20 kWh battery offers an all-electric range of up to 38 miles, making it perfect for trips around the city or a quick work commute on a daily basis. For long trips, the enhanced gas tank and hybrid capabilities provide a combined range that will take you significantly farther without frequent stops (read: this thing is road-trip ready!).
Charging options include normal charging with an EV outlet in approximately 6.5 hours, quick charging at a station to 80% in approximately 38 minutes, or the gas engine can charge the high capacity drive battery to 80% in approximately 94 minutes when stationery - and can also charge the vehicle while in motion. We love having the reassurance of Battery Save Mode, which maintains the current level of battery while driving so you can choose to rely on gasoline for longer trips and know that you have an electric backup to rely on if gas stations are few and far between in the middle of nowhere.
Anyone who’s sat idling in long lines at large National Parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite knows the agony of wondering if you can safely meander a little longer before making it to either a charging station or a gas station. Now you can. The 2024 Outlander PHEV is perfect for long road trips or remote expeditions, so you can focus your attention on exploring rather than charging!
Ruggedly Stylish
The 2024 Outlander PHEV boasts bold and robust styling, and we noticed lots of thoughtful choices that true explorers will appreciate. First off, its striking “Dynamic Shield” front grille, muscular fenders, and 20-inch wheels give it a commanding presence on any terrain. Its power panoramic sunroof puts the whole sky at your fingertips, making this ride feel large and in charge in every situation. And the real leather and real aluminum woven throughout the interior is just downright beautiful.
Comfort for Every Mile
Inside, the Outlander PHEV offers a refined, high-quality interior built with comfort and adventure in mind. The spacious cabin comfortably seats up to seven, while features like the triple-zone climate control keep everyone at ease. Ergonomically designed seats with advanced materials reduce fatigue on long drives, and the premium Bose sound system ensures your playlist sounds perfect no matter the backdrop.
The Mitsubishi Connect app is a cutting-edge platform designed to enhance safety, convenience, and connectivity for drivers. It offers features like Remote Climate Control and Remote Charging, enabling you to pre-condition your vehicle from your phone. The platform also includes safety functions such as SOS Emergency Assistance and Automatic Collision Notification, which summon help during accidents or emergencies.
For added security, features like Alarm Notification and Parental Controls provide real-time updates on your vehicle's status and usage. The Car Finder and mileage tracking capabilities further simplify vehicle management.
Smart Utility and Versatility
This SUV is more than just stylish—it’s practical, too. With fold-flat seating and generous cargo space, you can easily fit your gear, from camping equipment to mountain bikes.
There are so many simple little touches that make day-to-day driving in this thing filled with ease - like a lock button on the trunk that lowers the hatch AND locks the doors at once. ADHD drivers, rejoice, your stuff is secure! You can also do a cool kick-and-step maneuver to open the trunk, and it’s honestly pretty cool to feel like a jedi ninja out there on those streets.
Changes made from the previous model include a wider body, and the first- and second-row seats have top-level legroom thanks to an extended wheelbase. The fold-down third row offers an additional couple of seats in case some extra buddies wind up needing a ride home from the pub (zero judgment here) - although we wouldn’t personally choose to use that row for everyday driving due to small leg space back there.
Every single seat features actually-usable places to store a smartphone, and I love that the second-row features heated seats and a 40:20:40 split which allows for clever cargo configurations as well as a handy cupholder/armrest space. I also love the safety features in this vehicle, including newly-added front-center and side airbags for the second row seats.
Lastly, one really cool feature that makes the 2024 Outlander PHEV a joy to drive is that the terrain knob, volume knob, etc are all textured so it’s easier to feel the controls while driving as opposed to having to search through some complicated screen to make simple adjustments. It really is the little things.
Advanced Technology for the Modern Adventurer
For the tech-savvy outdoorsman, the Outlander PHEV doesn’t disappoint. It features a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 10.8-inch head-up display that projects information onto the windshield. In conjunction with the smartphone integration on a large 9-inch display in the top-center of the instrument panel, every detail of navigation and essential controls are easily within reach without need to toggle between a bunch of different screens. Did I mention that you can charge your smartphone by simply placing it in the center console tray on the wireless phone charger? The MI-PILOT Assist also offers all the fancy bells and whistles of modern-day advanced driver assistance, making highway drives or tight parking spots stress-free.
An outlet in the center console and another in the luggage compartment let drivers tap into the electricity in the drive battery, meaning you can use the vehicle as an emergency power source if disasters occur (or if you just really want to run a coffee maker, toaster oven, hair dryer, and vacuum cleaner on your next camping trip). It actually ran the bistro lights for an outdoor event when we were all driving it, which was pretty dang cool.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Rugged, eco-friendly, and packed with tech, it empowers adventurous men to explore new horizons in style and comfort. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend camping trip or charting unpaved trails, the Outlander PHEV is your trusted companion.
