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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gas and Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 26 / 26 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 165 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | PHEV |
| Base Price | $37,482–$48,552 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a phev that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 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 6.8/10 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 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.5/10 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 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $37,482–$48,552, 71 MPG, seating 5, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sits in the mid-market bracket of the phev segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 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 →
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ranks #20 of 40 phevs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $37,482 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $43,041 by about 13%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full PHEV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.3 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $37,482 | |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $36,247 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $35,011 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $33,775 | Read review → |
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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| 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.
Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.