Representative photo — may show another model year
PHEV
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$33,775–$45,386
Fuel Economy68 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategoryPHEV
Est. Annual Fuel$772/yr
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores 7.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #26 of 40 phevs, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $772/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a phev that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional phev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this phev trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.3/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $33,775–$45,386, 68 MPG, seating 5, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sits in the mid-market bracket of the phev segment. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among PHEVs
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ranks #26 of 40 phevs in the Carivo database — better than 38% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $33,775 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $43,041 by about 22%.
$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Outlander PHEV Year Should You Buy?
Across the Outlander PHEV model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Exceptional fuel efficiency at 68 MPG — among the best in its class
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (5 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Electrical system / Software 14/09/2018 · 18V620000
Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians. Due…
Forward collision avoidance / adaptive cruise control 14/09/2018 · 18V621000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross vehicles and 2017-2018 Outlander…
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down.…
Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate / Support device/strut 07/08/2025 · 25V507000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,…
Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate / Support device/strut 20/04/2026 · 26V252000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reliable?
We rate the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV worth buying?
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #26 of 40 phevs in our database (better than 38% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost?
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $33,775 and ranges up to $45,386 across trims (MSRP when new). At 68 MPG, expect roughly $772/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Outlander PHEV years should you avoid?
No standout weak years: across the 9 Outlander PHEV model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.5/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
What problems does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?
The documented issues for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Seat belts, Structure (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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Similar PHEV to Consider
Other phevs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year
