2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Wins NWAPA Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Award

Mitsubishi Motors has been changing things up since it joined the Renault-Nissan Alliance, now the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. After unveiling the Alliance 2030 business plan, the Alliance plans to release ten battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030. Mitsubishi is providing some of those BEVs, while also creating electrified variants of popular nameplates, like the upcoming Mitsubishi Colt Hybrid built off of the Renault Clip Hybrid. Mitsubishi Motors’ most successful electrified option is the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid SUV. It’s so successful, the Outlander PHEV just won the title of Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

“The victory might be a surprise for some, but not for those that tested the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid…It is well-equipped, extremely capable, and is loaded with features not seen on other plug-in hybrids.” – NWAPA President and Event Chair Nik Miles

When consumers think of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, an SUV that provides comfort, a sense of luxury, and excellent electrified performance. An outdoor vehicle may not be the first segment someone thinks of when looking at the Outlander PHEV, but the NWAPA discussed lots of things that the design and engineering teams really brought to life with the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, such as its on- and off-road all-weather capability. This is directly in thanks to the brand’s signature Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system. Providing greater vehicle control, the driver can have confidence that their Outlander PHEV can handle various kinds of terrain.

The electric power options are a lot to look forward to as well. The 2023 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid offers up to 38 miles of all-electric range (AER). In total, it adds up to 420 miles of overall driving range. The Outlander PHEV claims to be the only plug-in hybrid on the market with available DC fast-charging capability (SEL and above models only). This allows the plug-in hybrid SUV to charge the 20kWh battery pack to 80-percent capacity in only 38 minutes. Along with Mitsubishi’s new “Innovative Pedal” technology, the Outlander PHEV allows for near-one-pedal acceleration and deceleration, really enforcing the BEV design, even though this is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Making up the power system of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a twin-motor system that has been upgraded for the 2023 model year. By utilizing a gasoline engine, plus a front motor attached to the front axle to drive the front wheels, and a stand-alone rear-mounted motor on the rear axle to drive the rear wheels, this powertrain is able to generate a combined 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, as well as offer a 64 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) in terms of fuel economy. The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander went up against 21 other SUVs and pickup trucks during the recent competition held by NWAPA, where members of the group drove 22 vehicles for two days, performing on- and off-road testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. In addition to winning NWAPA’s Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year award, the Outlander PHEV also won a category award, named “Best Three-row Family SUV”.

Want to find out why all the hype about the Outlander PHEV? Find the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at University Mitsubishi.

Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Motors