The 2026 Outlander PHEV has a larger batter for more range, now up to 72 kilometres.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Canada’s best-selling plug-in hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, gets refreshed for 2026, adding a bigger battery with longer electric range, better fuel efficiency and more technology.
Plus, the price has been adjusted thanks to the return of federal incentives applied to zero-emissions vehicles that start at less than $50,000. When the 2026 Outlander PHEV was unveiled in Montreal in January, the price was $50,498. Now, the price has dropped to $49,998, plus freight and pre-delivery inspection, so it can qualify for up to $2,500 from the rebate.
Mitsubishi hopes the price advantage will help the Outlander PHEV retain its title, one it has held for the past three years. But there is growing competition in the segment, including the all-new Toyota RAV4 PHEV (which will start at $48,750, but doesn’t have a third row) and the two-row Hyundai Tucson PHEV. When the Outlander PHEV first came to Canada in 2018, it was one of only a few PHEV models.
“We are not a giant company like Toyota or Honda. We are a small company, but we are focusing on a very niche market,” Kenichi Kawaji, chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, said before our test drive last week in Vancouver. “2025 was a very tough year with government incentives gone but we still managed our sales volume compared with 2024.”
Mitsubishi sold 37,335 vehicles in 2025 – the bulk of them, 58 per cent, were Outlander SUVs. For 2026, Kawaji is aiming to sell 40,000 vehicles in Canada. “We changed our strategies. We didn’t spend a lot of money on making exterior changes … but inside we spent a lot of money and investment. Inside, it’s completely different.”
The front row of the top trim has heated, cooled and massaged seats and there is a 10.8-inch head-up display.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
While the exterior looks similar to 2025, the technology and interior has changed significantly, starting with the new lithium-ion battery pack that has more power and capacity. Now, you can drive up to 72 kilometres on electric power alone – that’s up from 61 kilometres in 2025.
The battery is bigger, with a 22.7-kilowatt-hour pack versus 20 in 2025. The total driving range is slightly higher at 690 kilometres versus 687 kilometres. And the fuel efficiency has improved, too, achieving 3.2 litres equivalent per 100 kilometres from the dual electric motors and the 2.4-litre four-cylinder gas engine. The gas engine’s efficiency has also improved to 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres over all.
And even though the battery is larger, the charging time has been reduced – now it takes 16.5 hours to charge on a conventional 120-volt outlet, 6.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet or 29 minutes on a DC fast-charger versus 38 minutes to get an 80-per-cent charge. Unfortunately, it uses an outdated CHAdeMo style plug.
The 2026 Outlander PHEV looks similar to the 2025, but one subtle difference is the new wheel design.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The second row of the top-trim GT Premium has heated seats.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Driving about 140 kilometres on a mix of highways and winding roads from Vancouver through Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, the SUV stayed in EV mode longer than expected. The battery wasn’t fully charged when we started our route but we stayed in electric power for about 60 kilometres before the gas engine kicked in. The transition from the electric motors to the gas engine was seamless and quiet. Over all, it was noticeably quieter in the cabin thanks to sound deafening features including dampening sheets and stiffeners inside the doors and electric motor to reduce the noise, vibration and harshness levels inside.
On the rain-drenched roads, the all-wheel-drive system worked well and the SUV felt stable and secure. While it wasn’t a sporty vehicle to drive, the ride and handling was competent, comfortable and an improvement over the last generation. The engine delivers 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque; it’s a carryover from 2025. With the two electric motors, the combined horsepower is 297. Torque numbers haven’t been released, yet. The suspension has been upgraded and there’s a new, more efficient battery cooling system.
While the outside changes are barely noticeable, the interior is a different story. There are new materials, revised controls, an upgraded Yamaha audio system, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display and revised digital driver display with graphics that are crisper and easier to read.
There are three rows of seats for up to seven passengers – the first two rows are comfortable, the third row leaves a lot to be desired for adults. Getting into them requires the skills of a contortionist. And once inside, it feels a bit claustrophobic. Kids are best suited for riding in those seats. But they’re useful in a pinch for visiting in-laws on short trips.
The made-in-Japan Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is now arriving in Canadian dealerships.
The third row is best for kids.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Looks
The 2026 model looks like the 2025 – there are only subtle exterior design details including new 18-inch and 20-inch wheel designs and a funky, new Moonstone Grey Metallic colour that shimmers blue depending on the time of day.
Interior
There are a lot of cabin upgrades. My top-trim GT Premium tester added heated, cooled and massaged front seats, a 10.8-inch head-up display, heated second-row seats, rain-sensing wipers and a rustic Brick Brown colour with diamond stitching on the seats, door panels and dash area that added an upscale look and feel.
The new version comes with a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display and revised digital driver display with graphics that are crisper and easier to read.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Performance
Improved suspension and quieter ride compared to the last generation. New for 2026 is the ability to use the steering-wheel paddles to add regenerative braking while in EV mode. It can also tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Technology
Standard safety technology features include driver and front passenger knee airbags, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning and rear automatic emergency braking. If you want more items, such as lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go feature, you have to move up the ladder to higher-priced trims.
Cargo
With all three rows in use, there’s 362 litres of space. While it looks small, its deep so there’s room for two carry-on suitcases and smaller items. Drop the third row and the cargo space expands to 872 litres. Lower the second row and it expands to 1,832 litres.
With all three rows up, there is 362 litres of space. Its deep so there’s room for two carry-on suitcases.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
With the return of EV incentives, longer electric range and new features such as an updated Yamaha audio system, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is well positioned to keep its crown as Canada’s best-selling PHEV.
Tech specs
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Price: $49,998 - $63,048, plus $1,875 for freight and $250 for pre-delivery inspection
- Powertrain: 2.4-litre four-cylinder with two electric motors
- Horsepower: 297
- Transmission / drive: Continuously-variable transmission / all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption: 8.6 L/100km (gas only); 3.2 Le/100 km (electric and gas)
- Electric range: 72 kilometres
- Alternatives: Toyota RAV4 PHEV, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sorento PHEV, Mazda CX-70/90 PHEV
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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