Am I 'in' the Outlander PHEV bracket?
Discussion
I'm looking for something big (load capacity) and automatic to run around in. I also want some ground clearance. Since it's not about the excitement, I wouldn't mind cheaper to run being in the mix.
Initially, I've been looking at the diesel outback - but I noticed the Outlander PHEV cropping up. Having had a read about them, it appears that they're great if they fit your specific usage but if you're outside of what they're good at, you may as well have a diesel.
So I'm looking for someone with some Mitsi PHEV experience to let give some feedback on how my journeys might fit with the vehicle's performance.....
I drive 23 miles to work. About 19 miles is country A road and 4 miles city traffic. I may be able to come to an agreement about charging at work.
Occasionally I make longer runs (hundreds of miles / motorway). I average 33 MPG now so I'd be looking not to drop lower than that if possible.
Initially, I've been looking at the diesel outback - but I noticed the Outlander PHEV cropping up. Having had a read about them, it appears that they're great if they fit your specific usage but if you're outside of what they're good at, you may as well have a diesel.
So I'm looking for someone with some Mitsi PHEV experience to let give some feedback on how my journeys might fit with the vehicle's performance.....
I drive 23 miles to work. About 19 miles is country A road and 4 miles city traffic. I may be able to come to an agreement about charging at work.
Occasionally I make longer runs (hundreds of miles / motorway). I average 33 MPG now so I'd be looking not to drop lower than that if possible.
Most PHEV are fairly similar, so I'll chime in.
Your standard commute to work will be perfect for a hybrid if you can charge at home and work. I do a similar distance to you and achieve circa 90+ mpg most mornings, with little effort. I believe the range on the Outlander is slightly more than the Merc, so you may see better than that.
Long distance is where most PHEV fall down; you will see better mpg return than the equivalent petrol, but not any better than a diesel.
I did quite a few hundred mile trips in my 1.6 TDI Audi A3 and saw mpg sitting around 55-60 mpg, depending on traffic and my right foot.
My Merc on the same sort of distance will return around 45-50 mpg with mixed driving.
A mate of mine has the PHEV Outlander and really likes it; I've had a snoop around and it is a nice car.
You'll need to look at the length of the majority of your journeys and see if they sit in the sub-50 mile bracket. If around 75% of your mileage is less than that, I'd defintely look at the Outlander. Might be worth going to the Mitubishi dealer and seeing if you can get a few day test drive?
Your standard commute to work will be perfect for a hybrid if you can charge at home and work. I do a similar distance to you and achieve circa 90+ mpg most mornings, with little effort. I believe the range on the Outlander is slightly more than the Merc, so you may see better than that.
Long distance is where most PHEV fall down; you will see better mpg return than the equivalent petrol, but not any better than a diesel.
I did quite a few hundred mile trips in my 1.6 TDI Audi A3 and saw mpg sitting around 55-60 mpg, depending on traffic and my right foot.
My Merc on the same sort of distance will return around 45-50 mpg with mixed driving.
A mate of mine has the PHEV Outlander and really likes it; I've had a snoop around and it is a nice car.
You'll need to look at the length of the majority of your journeys and see if they sit in the sub-50 mile bracket. If around 75% of your mileage is less than that, I'd defintely look at the Outlander. Might be worth going to the Mitubishi dealer and seeing if you can get a few day test drive?
Thanks for that. Sounds promising - I suspected it'd be reasonable but thought I'd ask as I didn't want to talk myself into it.
With the long journeys, I can accept it'll be drastically lower MPG than the commute. I'm willing to take that hit as mostly I'm getting 45p per mile back.
It's only holidays etc where it's personal mileage. And I'm currently in a WRX at the aforementioned MPG so I don't think it'll hurt too much.
I basically want more room to move things! And no clutches or bucket seats
It's very hard to factor in everything. Although I'm in a turbo petrol wally-wagon right now, I own it and it's simple enough that I can do most jobs on it myself. As I'm sure many people have found, mpg isn't the be all and end all - but if my commute does fit, it may be more attractive to go EV (oh, and the tax).
With the long journeys, I can accept it'll be drastically lower MPG than the commute. I'm willing to take that hit as mostly I'm getting 45p per mile back.
It's only holidays etc where it's personal mileage. And I'm currently in a WRX at the aforementioned MPG so I don't think it'll hurt too much.
I basically want more room to move things! And no clutches or bucket seats
It's very hard to factor in everything. Although I'm in a turbo petrol wally-wagon right now, I own it and it's simple enough that I can do most jobs on it myself. As I'm sure many people have found, mpg isn't the be all and end all - but if my commute does fit, it may be more attractive to go EV (oh, and the tax).
In real world driving you are right on the limit of the electric range and i have a friend that cant wait to get shot of his as his commute is just over and the economy is working out really poor for this type of car.
If you can get an extended test drive i would check it will really do what you want before buying.
If you can get an extended test drive i would check it will really do what you want before buying.
barryrs said:
In real world driving you are right on the limit of the electric range and i have a friend that cant wait to get shot of his as his commute is just over and the economy is working out really poor for this type of car.
If you can get an extended test drive i would check it will really do what you want before buying.
I'd be interested to know details of the route if possible.If you can get an extended test drive i would check it will really do what you want before buying.
I'm looking 2nd hand, so if I go for it I'll have to see about an extended test (or go pretend I want a new one from Mitsi).
Cheers for that. I'm just trying to get as much 'real world' info from around the interweb before entertaining it. As suggested, actually testing would be good.
Might confirm that if you go out of the 'sweet spot' then it becomes less appealing. Might be that my lack of motorway plus stop/start traffic would make all the difference.
Might confirm that if you go out of the 'sweet spot' then it becomes less appealing. Might be that my lack of motorway plus stop/start traffic would make all the difference.
I have had my outlander phev for over 2 years now. It has been really well suited to my daily use (although very boring in a capable way!).
Motorway speeds very quickly eat up the battery, but at more usual town speeds the range on battery is very good (around 25 miles). Once the battery is depleted then average fuel consumption is around 35mpg with stop start or fastish motorway speeds, with 40mpg at slow motorway speeds.
If you cannot charge at work you will get one way on battery (or very close as range varies according to temperature etc.) so with 35mpg on the return leg you would average around 70mpg for the commute. If you can charge at work then you would use little or no petrol.
Motorway speeds very quickly eat up the battery, but at more usual town speeds the range on battery is very good (around 25 miles). Once the battery is depleted then average fuel consumption is around 35mpg with stop start or fastish motorway speeds, with 40mpg at slow motorway speeds.
If you cannot charge at work you will get one way on battery (or very close as range varies according to temperature etc.) so with 35mpg on the return leg you would average around 70mpg for the commute. If you can charge at work then you would use little or no petrol.
I confirmed that charging at work will be OK. So I decided to go have a sit in one and check out that the seating position etc would suit. It was OK. Not as immediately comfortable as I found the outback (which, of course, is entirely down to personal preference) but I found if I sunk the seat as low as possible and brought the wheel up I could get comfortable. Boot space was still reasonable with the higher floor.
Did it appeal to me? Not especially but I was looking for something that works on my ever dull commute. It's funny that, despite trying to approach it entirely rationally, there's still that bit in the back of my head that says I need to 'want' a car... daft.
I'm going to have a good old think.
Did it appeal to me? Not especially but I was looking for something that works on my ever dull commute. It's funny that, despite trying to approach it entirely rationally, there's still that bit in the back of my head that says I need to 'want' a car... daft.
I'm going to have a good old think.
Mine is parked in the open on the drive each night.
I have a tethered cable and it is not a problem to connect or disconnect and take a quick single turn around the wall box no matter what the weather.
With regard to the 30mpg on a flat battery. I achieved that when I first had my car but it has crept up to around 35mpg as the miles on the petrol engine have increased. My colleagues who have done mainly battery miles and so have not yet loosened up the petrol engine still get around 30 mpg with a discharged battery.
I have a tethered cable and it is not a problem to connect or disconnect and take a quick single turn around the wall box no matter what the weather.
With regard to the 30mpg on a flat battery. I achieved that when I first had my car but it has crept up to around 35mpg as the miles on the petrol engine have increased. My colleagues who have done mainly battery miles and so have not yet loosened up the petrol engine still get around 30 mpg with a discharged battery.
I've had aan outlander for just over a year and 15000miles now and my usage sounds exactly like yours.
I have a commute to work with two options.
Country road = 14 miles of 30-60 = 35 minutes and all electric zero petrol.
Motorway Sensible = 25 miles with limit at 77 (that's the speed the electric hands over to petrol usually) = 65 to 80 mpg as the last bit has to be done with petrol.
I can charge at work so I can get there and back on leccy alone.
In winter, the petrol comes on even on the country road occasionally, presumably a temperature thing. I tend not to use the heater as I preheat the car when it's plugged in at home (a handy feature) and just whack the seat heater on.
I do the odd long trip for work, where without charging and staying below 80 over a trip from Leeds to Newcastle and back will end up around 45 mpg.
Before ecotricity started charging for the services, I'd often go a bit earlier and stop off and have a coffee and clear a few emails while the car charged up. It takes more planning but I did get the same run with 65 mpg doing that (honestly too much effort and 45mpg for the few times I do it is fine).
Other long term ownership foibles?
Well, the seats are s
te, I have the gx4s which is in theory top of the range but the planks of wood I've just made a decking out of at home would be more comfy the perch on for a long trip, I really find the seat squabs a bit short on thigh support too.
It has all the options but they're just badly executed, I used to think the satnav in my BMW was bitter about losing the war or something but the unit in the mitsy is worse.
Also, the rear view camera lines don't accurately reflect the rear dimensions of the car...
The whole car bongs like a techno disco. Ignition on but door open - bong, door closed, seat belt off - bong, world's slowest electric tailgate opening - bong, car stopped but you haven't removed the key from its slot within 10ms - bong...you get the idea.
Boot space is impressive and with the seats folded down you can shift some serious crap. You can fit 3m 2x4 planks in there if you need to (plus there's always the sunroof for height) I also took a king-size mattress to the tip in it today without too much fuss.
It is uninspiring to drive but you can throw it around corners and it will squeal and wallow around but it is not fast or quick. The cvt is normally unobtrusive but under heavy load it sounds like adog chewing a bucket of wasps and not in a good way.
However, ignoring all of the above - when you have a wife, two kids, a dog and a load of shot to go to the tip all the time, plus a short commute and an employer that allows charging... and view it as a pure utility vehicle it is perfect.
Im also £200 a month better off in car tax and another 80 in petrol/diesel.
But as you also seem to be wrestling with... The ph'er in me cries himself to sleep at night.
If you have access to another car for the odd release of petrol/steam then I'd say get one and treat it as a white good, they're perfect for that.
I have a commute to work with two options.
Country road = 14 miles of 30-60 = 35 minutes and all electric zero petrol.
Motorway Sensible = 25 miles with limit at 77 (that's the speed the electric hands over to petrol usually) = 65 to 80 mpg as the last bit has to be done with petrol.
I can charge at work so I can get there and back on leccy alone.
In winter, the petrol comes on even on the country road occasionally, presumably a temperature thing. I tend not to use the heater as I preheat the car when it's plugged in at home (a handy feature) and just whack the seat heater on.
I do the odd long trip for work, where without charging and staying below 80 over a trip from Leeds to Newcastle and back will end up around 45 mpg.
Before ecotricity started charging for the services, I'd often go a bit earlier and stop off and have a coffee and clear a few emails while the car charged up. It takes more planning but I did get the same run with 65 mpg doing that (honestly too much effort and 45mpg for the few times I do it is fine).
Other long term ownership foibles?
Well, the seats are s
te, I have the gx4s which is in theory top of the range but the planks of wood I've just made a decking out of at home would be more comfy the perch on for a long trip, I really find the seat squabs a bit short on thigh support too. It has all the options but they're just badly executed, I used to think the satnav in my BMW was bitter about losing the war or something but the unit in the mitsy is worse.
Also, the rear view camera lines don't accurately reflect the rear dimensions of the car...
The whole car bongs like a techno disco. Ignition on but door open - bong, door closed, seat belt off - bong, world's slowest electric tailgate opening - bong, car stopped but you haven't removed the key from its slot within 10ms - bong...you get the idea.
Boot space is impressive and with the seats folded down you can shift some serious crap. You can fit 3m 2x4 planks in there if you need to (plus there's always the sunroof for height) I also took a king-size mattress to the tip in it today without too much fuss.
It is uninspiring to drive but you can throw it around corners and it will squeal and wallow around but it is not fast or quick. The cvt is normally unobtrusive but under heavy load it sounds like adog chewing a bucket of wasps and not in a good way.
However, ignoring all of the above - when you have a wife, two kids, a dog and a load of shot to go to the tip all the time, plus a short commute and an employer that allows charging... and view it as a pure utility vehicle it is perfect.
Im also £200 a month better off in car tax and another 80 in petrol/diesel.
But as you also seem to be wrestling with... The ph'er in me cries himself to sleep at night.
If you have access to another car for the odd release of petrol/steam then I'd say get one and treat it as a white good, they're perfect for that.
Konan said:
I wonder if people that don't used garages / carports get fed up disconnecting and packing up the charging lead in the wind/rain/snow every morning.
To add, I just have an external ip rated 3pin socket and I charge it from there, it soon becomes a habit to whip it out on my way into the house, although if it is bking it down, I just skip it and use petrol the next day. Cracking input there, stewjohnst, thanks. I think you've 90% confirmed how I think/feel about the idea.
The seat was a bit of a disappointment (last Mitsi I owned was a Pajero with the velour recaro offerings, could happily sit in that for 10 hours, which was just enough time to reach 60mph). It had leather, which I'm not keen on at the best of times so I may drop by a dealer with a cloth one and see if it was just that putting me off.
I've got a 300bhp WRX weekend/track shed and an old XJ Cherokee house-brick 4.0 on top of my daily - plenty enough entertainment for me there.
It'll be cheap to run - but still an outlay 3 times more than I've ever spent on a vehicle and because I don't 'want' it, it's a hard call.
The seat was a bit of a disappointment (last Mitsi I owned was a Pajero with the velour recaro offerings, could happily sit in that for 10 hours, which was just enough time to reach 60mph). It had leather, which I'm not keen on at the best of times so I may drop by a dealer with a cloth one and see if it was just that putting me off.
I've got a 300bhp WRX weekend/track shed and an old XJ Cherokee house-brick 4.0 on top of my daily - plenty enough entertainment for me there.
It'll be cheap to run - but still an outlay 3 times more than I've ever spent on a vehicle and because I don't 'want' it, it's a hard call.
I've collected news and reviews of the Outlander PHEV on my blog and I'll post a link here in case it helps with your decision:
http://fuelincluded.com/news/electric-cars/mitsubi...
http://fuelincluded.com/news/electric-cars/mitsubi...
Thanks for all the input on this. It really helped the thought process.
Only downside was that when I added it up, the right ones where just out of budget for now. Savings wouldn't have totalled up to match finance repayments for a reasonable repayment period and I don't like long term ties.
So I'm going to come around to it again in a few years. In between by sensible side purchased a larger estate car. My stupid side made it a turbo petrol :|
Only downside was that when I added it up, the right ones where just out of budget for now. Savings wouldn't have totalled up to match finance repayments for a reasonable repayment period and I don't like long term ties.
So I'm going to come around to it again in a few years. In between by sensible side purchased a larger estate car. My stupid side made it a turbo petrol :|
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