2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Australia Review: The SUV That Does It All for All

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Australia review – complete analysis of interior quality, PHEV EV range, handling, safety, and price. Is this family SUV finally the ultimate mix of dependability, technology, and hybrid ingenuity for Aussie roads?

A Story Worth Telling: The Outlander’s Journey to 2025

When Mitsubishi introduced the first Outlander in 2001, it wasn’t intended to be glamorous. It was designed for functionality, not tabloids. But by 2012, when the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) rolled out, Mitsubishi inadvertently developed an international icon—the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid SUV.

For more than a decade, the Outlander PHEV flew under the radar to top the EV-hybrid SUV category as Toyota drew all the attention with the RAV4 Hybrid. Why the difference? Mitsubishi didn’t simply create a hybrid; it created a vehicle that can operate as an EV, charge from a wall outlet, and even supply electricity to your home when the power is out.

Jump forward to 2025, and the Outlander now evolved from practical family SUV to flagship model with tech and style. It’s larger, edgier, safer, and smarter. And for Aussies—who expect a car to get the school run, the Bunnings shop, and the weekend camping trip along the coast—the new Outlander feels like it’s been done with us in mind.

But here’s the million-dollar question: Is it finally good enough to dethrone the Toyota RAV4 as Australia’s hybrid hero?

Interior and Build Quality: Premium Enough to Impress, Practical Enough to Survive Kids

Step inside the 2025 Outlander, and you’ll notice Mitsubishi has ditched the budget feel of earlier models. It’s spacious, well-built, and surprisingly premium for the tag.

Quality Materials: Soft-touch panels adorn the dash, and quilted leather seats and discreet stitching details come on the higher trims. The plastics are robust, never cheap-feeling.

Tech That Works: A 12.3-inch driver’s digital cluster is paired by a 9-inch infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Comfort & Convenience: Heated, ventilated, and even massage seats are on offer. The 7-seat variant provides flexibility, although the third row is strictly for children or short trips.

Noise Reduction: Road and wind noise are muted over the previous Outlanders, which makes highway driving much less tiring.

Family Friendly: Wide cupholders, big-opening doors, and intelligent storage locations (such as underfloor boot space) demonstrate Mitsubishi has heard parents’ feedback.

Verdict? It’s no Lexus RX, but it’s comfortably premium without the luxury car price tag.

Performance: The Reliable Petrol vs The Clever PHEV

Mitsubishi knows Australians want choice. So, in 2025, you’ve got two flavours: Petrol and PHEV.

Petrol Outlander

Engine: 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

Power: 135 kW / 244 Nm.

Transmission: CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Smooth and reliable, but not exciting. It’s built for efficiency and comfort rather than just thrills.

This is the bulk-buy version—cheap, low-maintenance, and bulletproof reliable. But if you want grunt, you’ll be wishing for a turbo.

Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid)

This is where Mitsubishi shows some muscle.

Battery: 22.7 kWh (an increase from 20 kWh).

EV Range: Approximately 86 km (WLTP) – more than enough for most Australian commutes.

Combined Power: ~225 kW, courtesy of twin electric motors and a petrol motor.

Drive Feel: Instant torque provides city driving zappiness. On highways, it cruises smoothly.

Charging: 0–100% in ~7 hours on home AC, or ~40 minutes on DC fast-charge (uncommon but available).

In everyday use, the PHEV is a masterstroke. The majority of owners hardly touch petrol for the week, followed by hybrid economy on extended journeys. Toss in regenerative braking and the cutting-edge Vehicle-to-Load technology for plug in your devices at a campsite, and you’ve got a car that’s ahead of time.

Safety: Five Stars and a Tech Overload

Australians take safety seriously, and so does Mitsubishi. The 2025 Outlander scores a 5-star ANCAP rating and is loaded with driver-assist tech.

Highlights include:

Mi-Pilot Assist: Adaptive cruise + lane centering for semi-autonomous highway driving.

Forward Collision Mitigation: Detects cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Blind Spot Monitoring & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Perfect for chaotic Coles car parks.

360-Degree Camera: Crystal clear in higher trims.

Driver Attention Monitor: Notices if you’re getting drowsy.

This isn’t “box-ticking safety,” though—it’s actually sophisticated, up there with Toyota and Hyundai offerings.

Capabilities: Not a Prado, But Nice and Versatile

The Outlander will not dominate the Simpson Desert, but it’s capable of much more than its city-dweller appearance implies.

AWD With Drive Modes: Gravel, Snow, Mud, Eco, and Tarmac modes.

Ground Clearance: 210 mm—adequate for dirt roads and minor off-road routes.

Towing: 2,000 kg (petrol) and 1,600 kg (PHEV).

V2L Technology (PHEV): Charge your tools, campsite, or even back-feed your home in an emergency.

For Aussie consumers, this combination is gold. You can do the school pick-up Monday–Friday, tow the jet ski on the weekend, and camp off-grid Sunday—all in one SUV.

Pricing and Availability in Australia

Petrol Outlander ES 2WD: from $39,990 + on-roads.

Mid-trims (Aspire, LS): $45k–$50k range.

Exceed Tourer (top-of-the-range petrol): $57,990 + on-roads.

PHEV Range: Due late 2025, mid-$60k to ~$80k drive-away depending on variant.

It is expensive, yes, but factor in fuel saving: if you drive primarily in EV mode, you might save 70–80% on petrol.

Pros and Cons

What We Love

Spacious, quality-feeling interior.

Higher-order safety tech right across the range.

PHEV provides real-world EV range.

V2L camping/backup battery trick is actually useful.

Aussie-tuned suspension makes it pleasant on local roads.

What Could Be Improved

Petrol engine feels bit old compared to turbo competition.

Third row is only for children.

PHEV pricing is ambitious.

Infotainment feels less sophisticated than Hyundai/Kia systems.

Overall Verdict: Should You Buy One?

The new 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is Mitsubishi at its prime: sensible, secure, intelligent, and slightly neglected. It will not trample sales charts like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but it does something the RAV4 can’t do quietly—it provides true EV range with hybrid versatility.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly family SUV that’s reliable and safe, the petrol Outlander is an excellent choice. To future proof the garage and save on fuel costsso take advantage of EV living without the range anxiety, the PHEV is the model to purchase.

For Aussies, the Outlander strikes a sweet spot: weekend warrior and weekday family hauler. It’s not ideal, but it’s one of the most capable SUVs you can buy in 2025.