Representative photo — may show another model year
PHEV
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$37,482–$48,552
Fuel Economy71 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategoryPHEV
Est. Annual Fuel$739/yr
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores 7.3/10 at Carivo, ranking #20 of 40 phevs, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $739/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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 →
How It Ranks Among PHEVs
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%.
$0 — 2 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?
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.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
Exceptional fuel efficiency at 71 MPG — among the best in its class
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
NHTSA Recalls — 2021 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 2021 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 — 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reliable?
We rate the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's reliability 6.8/10 — 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 2021 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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV worth buying?
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #20 of 40 phevs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost?
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $37,482 and ranges up to $48,552 across trims (MSRP when new). At 71 MPG, expect roughly $739/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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have?
The documented issues for the 2021 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
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More Mitsubishi Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
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