The Mitsubishi Outlander has been a family favorite for a number of years, although competition from its rivals is becoming fiercer than ever.
A total of 27,613 units of the Outlander were sold last year, making it the second best-selling car in its segment, behind only the popular Toyota RAV4. In fact, the Mitsubishi Outlander was Australia’s fifth best-selling vehicle in 2024.
Although this Japanese midsize SUV is available with five seats, it is one of the few in its segment to offer a third row of seats.
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The range comes with two powertrains: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, available with front- or all-wheel drive, and a 2.4-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with all-wheel drive.
As it stands, the Outlander is the only mainstream midsize SUV to offer both a PHEV powertrain and seven seats. Of course, there is the Kia Sorento PHEV, but it is classified as a large SUV according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
Below are the members of the AutoExpert The editors have explained why they would either buy a Mitsubishi Outlander or opt for another mid-sized SUV.
| Mitsubishi Outlander | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $37,740-$73,790 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 5 years, 100,000 km 10 years, 200,000 km (extended) 8 years, 160,000 km (high-voltage battery, PHEV only) |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2022) |
Do you want to buy a Mitsubishi Outlander? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Outlander
Marton Pettendy: Nissan X-Trail
Instead of a Mitsubishi Outlander, I would buy a Nissan
But since I don’t need seven seats and want all-wheel drive, I’d spend the extra $5000 or so to have the cheapest e-Power version, at around $50,000 before on-road use.
It’s slightly less efficient than a similarly priced Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but much more fun to drive, thanks to great ride and handling and that ingenious, torquey range-extension hybrid powertrain that drives like an EV most of the time.
And unlike the Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6, it’s a plug-less hybrid that doesn’t require external charging to achieve its fuel economy benefits.
The latest Honda CR-V is also very good, but there is only one hybrid version and it is $10,000 more expensive. And since the Kia Sportage Hybrid is only front-wheel drive, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid would be my second choice for a few thousand more.
| Nissan X Trail | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $38,025-$59,265 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometers |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2021) |
Do you want to buy a Nissan X-Trail? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail
James Wong: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Although a little more expensive than the competition, the plug-in Outlander is the only option in this set that offers both electrification and three rows of seating in Australia.
I really like the Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Honda CR-V e:HEV, but unfortunately they both lack the three-row interior configurations offered by their ICE counterparts.
The BYD Sealion 6 is also a great and more affordable alternative, but also lacks a third-row option despite being longer than the Mitsubishi.
We’ve been documenting our praise for the new Outlander PHEV for some time now, including its viable EV range, practical interior and wide range.
It’s about to get even better, with an upcoming running update bringing better technology and a bigger battery with even more range.
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $57,290-$73,790 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 5 years, 100,000 km 10 years, 200,000 km (extended) 8 years, 160,000 km (HV battery) |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2022) |
Do you want to buy a Mitsubishi Outlander? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Outlander
Sean Lander: Nissan X-Trail e-Power
Tough choice this week. I really like the Outlander PHEV, but if you start driving long distances (i.e. more than 150 km on the highway) the battery runs out very quickly and you have a whining petrol engine to pull you along.
This is something I experienced first-hand with the Outlander PHEV during the approximately 10,000km I spent behind the wheel of my long-termer in 2023.
That’s where the X-Trail e-Power really shines. The e-Power powertrain, a cousin to the Outlander, is essentially an EV with a range extender. Electric motors drive the front and rear wheels and the 1.8 kWh battery is charged by the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine.
It is comfortable, quiet and reasonably economical. Granted, you only get five seats in Australia, but that’s fine for me personally, and it will be enough for the majority of buyers.
The only thing really missing are ventilated seats, because the leather seats in my current Ti-L e-Power long termer are not summer friendly. Furthermore, it would be crazy to overlook the X-Trail e-Power.
| Nissan X-Trail e-Power | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $50,765-$59,265 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometers |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2021) |
Do you want to buy a Nissan X-Trail? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail
Jack Quick: BYD Zeeleeuw 6
Of course, the Outlander is the only vehicle that offers both seven seats and a PHEV powertrain, but the third row is really limited in terms of space and only suitable for small children for short trips.
With this in mind, the BYD Sealion 6 is a solid alternative for those who don’t need the full seven-seat capacity and can make do with five. It offers plenty of space in both the first and second rows of seats and also has a decent-sized luggage compartment.
I also appreciate the Sealion 6’s flashier technology. The Outlander’s 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system in particular looks small in 2025. Fortunately, an update is coming soon.
When you drive the Sealion it’s as quiet as the Outlander PHEV, and in top-spec Premium AWD trim it offers a similar amount of real-world EV range (~50 miles).
What seals the deal for me is that BYD has dropped the asking price of the entry-level Sealion 6 Dynamic to just $45,990 before it hits the road, making it Australia’s cheapest PHEV. Seems like quite a bargain to me.
| BYD Zeeleeuw 6 | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $45,990-$52,990 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 6 years, 150,000 km |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2023) |
Interested in purchasing a BYD Sealion 6? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything BYD Zeeleeuw 6
Jordan Mulach: Nissan X-Trail e-Power
Nissan has seemingly done it right with the electrified X-Trail, introducing a vehicle that offers all the benefits of an electric car, but without the worry of charging or range anxiety.
Power delivery is smooth, as would be expected when using electric motors, but you don’t have to worry about taking the time to plug in to top up the battery, which is handled by a gasoline engine that acts as a generator.
As good as Toyota’s hybrid technology in the RAV4 is, this could be the way to add a new lane to the bridge between gasoline and electric energy.
| Nissan X-Trail e-Power | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $50,765-$59,265 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometers |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2021) |
Do you want to buy a Nissan X-Trail? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail
Max Davies: Honda CR-V
Maybe not the obvious choice, but hear me out.
The Outlander and X-Trail are great cars, but there’s a lot to like about the Honda CR-V. Firstly, it offers an impressive range of specifications: there are front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, five-seater, seven-seater variants and even one hybrid.
Honda’s hybrid technology is good, and as a bonus the CR-V e:HEV hybrid produces more torque than electrified versions of the Civic and ZR-V.
Then there’s the interior technology, which is well constructed and logical. The infotainment, climate control and instrument cluster all look sharp, meaning it’s easy to live with, even for those not used to Honda cars. It looks pretty good on the outside too.
When the current CR-V launched in 2023, drive-away prices shocked, but as time has gone on, its rivals’ asking price has risen to reach it. Currently, the range starts at $41,900 drive-away and extends to $59,900 drive-away, which seems like a good deal.
| Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $41,900 – $59,900 drive away |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometers 8 years, unlimited kilometers (current stock offer from MY23) |
| ANCAP safety rating | 4 stars (2024) |
Interested in buying a Honda CR-V? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Honda CR-V
William Stopford: Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Outlander is the most impressive vehicle Mitsubishi sells, and I have no qualms about recommending it to buyers.
But its Nissan
My choice, however, would have to be the Hyundai Tucson – but only in hybrid guise. It gives you similar fuel economy to an X-Trail e-Power, if not pure electric driving like an Outlander PHEV, plus an attractive interior and a competitive driving experience.
I wouldn’t worry about the other Tucson variants, especially now that the diesel is dead. Its Kia Sportage platformmate is a tempting runner-up, but it has far fewer hybrid variants – no all-wheel drive, for example, and don’t go looking for a green interior (yes, you can get that on the Tucson!)
| Hyundai Tucson hybrid | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $45,100 – $59,600 |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometers 8 years, 160,000 km (HV battery) |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2021) |
Do you want to buy a Hyundai Tucson? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Hyundai Tucson
Josh Nevett: BYD Zeeleeuw 6
The BYD Sealion 6 recently became Australia’s most affordable PHEV at just over $45,000, which is a seriously good price for a comfortable, efficient and well-equipped family SUV.
Even in its base Dynamic form, the Sealion 6 features two enormous interior screens, heated and ventilated electrically adjustable seats, synthetic leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.
It completes the daily commute in silence with an electric range of 92 km, and remains efficient even when the battery runs out.
BYD has also gone out of its way to add extra sound insulation to the Sealion 6, which fits in perfectly with a comfortable ride. It really feels like a premium product, which you can’t say about other spacious SUVs in this price range.
| BYD Zeeleeuw 6 | |
|---|---|
| Prices | $45,990-$52,990 before on-road use |
| Warranty | 6 years, 150,000 km |
| ANCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2023) |
Interested in purchasing a BYD Sealion 6? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything BYD Zeeleeuw 6
