2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
PHEV

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $36,247–$48,782
Fuel Economy 70 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category PHEV
Est. Annual Fuel $750/yr
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores 7.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #26 of 40 phevs, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $750/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (A1)
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular Gas and Electricity
City / Hwy MPG25 / 26 MPG
Combined MPG25 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,400
CO₂ Emissions174 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StylePHEV
Base Price$36,247–$48,782

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Our scoring places the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this phev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 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. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.7/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.2/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.

Priced from $36,247–$48,782, 70 MPG, seating 5, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sits in the mid-market bracket of the phev segment. The 7.4/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a passable phev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

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 2020 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 $36,247 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $43,041 by about 16%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full PHEV ranking →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$3,750 ($750/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries 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 2020 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.5/10$42,425 Read review →
2025 7.5/10$42,425 Read review →
2024 7.3/10$41,190 Read review →
2023 7.3/10$39,954 Read review →
2022 7.2/10$38,718 Read review →
2021 7.3/10$37,482 Read review →
2020 (this review) 7.1/10$36,247
2019 7.1/10$35,011 Read review →
2018 7.1/10$33,775 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Exceptional fuel efficiency at 70 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 — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2 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.

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 2020 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 — 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reliable?

We rate the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's reliability 6.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 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 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?

2 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 2020 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 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost?

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $36,247 and ranges up to $48,782 across trims (MSRP when new). At 70 MPG, expect roughly $750/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 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?

The documented issues for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: 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

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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