Tag Archives: SUV

Motoring, SUV, Electric/hybrid, Mitsubishi

Returning Outlander PHEV is a real gem, but pricey

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Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond PHEV

By Bill McCarthy

Mitsubishi’s UK departure left me scratching my head, especially given the success of the pioneering Outlander and its excellent L200 pick-up range. Poor sales and a global slowdown around the pandemic did for it – but now the Japanese giant is back with an impressive update.

Mitsubishi, famous for its rugged off-roaders, is certainly no stranger to innovation – it had one of the first all-electric cars on the road with the iMiEV city car and the original Outlander kickstarted Britain’s PHEV boom back in 2014, becoming a domestic bestseller.

Class-leading warranty

It’s worth pointing out early that Mitsubishi is backing its return with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, covering both the vehicle and its battery technology. It is a market-leading package and appears to send a clear statement that Mitsubishi is here to stay.

Same boxy silhouette, less slab-sided

With this latest version, the signature boxy shape is familiar but sleeker – still bold and rugged, with huge light clusters. It looks like a vehicle designed to feel substantial without being flashy.

The front now features a smart grille and bumper set-up, and the whole car uses LED lights, including T-shaped rear lights that make it easy to recognise at night.

What you get for the money

There are two models: the entry-level seven-seater Nativa, priced at £46,995, and the range-topping Diamond, driven here, which is five seats only at £49,995.

The Nativa is still an excellent, hugely practical seven-seater in basic form, with decent off-road capability and a towing capacity of up to 1,600kg.

This tested Diamond model is well named, with a diamond motif features and high-end diamond-pattern leather upholstery. The Diamond is a real premium choice.

It needs to be at approaching £50k. It is around £3,000 more than the entry model, at £49,995, but it ups the ante with ventilated and massaging seats, heated rears, three-zone climate, a full-length panoramic sunroof and a host of other extras.

The car’s brain is a central screen that controls smartphone connectivity, apps, navigation and an infotainment system that includes a high-end Yamaha 12-speaker sound system. It has a clever mixture of touchscreen and physical controls lacking in many SUVs, and everything feels substantial and well put together.

The Outlander is exclusively plug-in hybrid at the moment– a 2.4-litre PHEV system with twin electric motors and all-wheel drive. This produces a combined 302bhp, with a 22.7kWh battery allowing substantial electric-only running for daily commutes.

The official WLTP electric-only range is 53 miles. The petrol engine acts primarily as a generator for the battery, which supplies the dual motors. It kicks in to top up the battery or boost performance under harder acceleration – though at a cost to overall fuel economy.

The Outlander has a claimed total range of over 500 miles on a full tank and full charge, but in mixed driving which saw the petrol engine kick in quite a lot, I saw a maximum of around 35mpg. Not bad for something this size, but plug it in daily for maximum fuel economy.

Safety

Standard kit includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot intervention, lane departure prevention, rear cross traffic alert and a driver monitoring system.

Front cross traffic alert and a centre airbag are also part of the package.

Space and practicality

The deliberate seat sacrifice in the Diamond model allows for a storage capacity of 498 litres with the seats up. With all seats folded, capacity expands to 1,602 litres.

For convenience, there is a ‘kick’ facility to open the boot hands-free, and a 12V socket in the boot are thoughtful touches.

On the road

On the road, the Outlander is a pleasant place to be, offering, for the most part, silent running, with only the occasional sound of the dual motors. This I discovered on an extended journey around Shropshire and North Wales, with a rewarding driving experience.

The engine is vocal when it kicks in, though by no means overwhelming, and there is some road noise from the large alloys. However, the ride is smooth, even if the big beast does wallow a little on corners.

It’s not likely to be taken off-road very often, but the on-demand four-wheel-drive system allows extra grip in poor conditions, with a central dial allowing selection of systems to cope with anything from snow to mud and gravel.

Verdict

The Outlander is a sensible choice – genuine seven-seat practicality in basic form, a premium cabin and strong electric-only running in Diamond spec, all wrapped in a distinctive, rugged design.

Accept the five-seat trade-off and the Diamond delivers a genuinely luxurious PHEV for the money, backed by a warranty that few rivals can match. Don’t forget to plug it in!

Factfile

  • Model: Mitsubishi Outlander Diamond PHEV
  • Price: £49,995
  • Mechanical: 2.4-litre 302bhp petrol engine and 22.7kWh battery driving twin electric motors
  • 0 to 62mph: 7.9 sec
  • EV range: 53 miles (WLTP)
  • Total range: 500 miles plus
  • CO2 emissions: 20g/km
  • Insurance group: 47D
  • BiK rating: 10%
  • Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles inc battery
Executive, SUV, Volvo

XC40 a premium, safe, sensible petrol powered SUV

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Volvo XC40 B3 Plus

By Bill McCarthy

There was a time when a Volvo meant vast estates with the aerodynamic grace of a garden shed. They were revered for safety: rolling fortresses and pioneers of the three-point seatbelt and side-impact protection. That reputation endures in the latest models. Volvo has softened its 2030 electric-only goal and now aims for 90–100% electrified sales by 2030. Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids remain, with no fixed end date for combustion. This mild-hybrid petrol sits in that pragmatic bridge.

Despite Volvo calling the XC40 a cousin to its larger SUVs, it is a chip off the same block: premium, tech-rich and, higher up, available with all-wheel drive.

Exterior: boxy but premium

Style-wise, it features the now-signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED lights, stylish clusters and striking alloys. The exterior is boxy yet modern, with clean lines, a high beltline and a neatly sculpted rear, giving it a smart, compact premium presence.

Interior: minimalist, comfortable and tech-rich

Step inside and the XC40  and the suede and Microtech upholstery feels posh yet tough and a smashing leather alternative. The cabin’s clean, calm and uncluttered, classic Swedish through and through. 

You sit up high with big windows all round, so visibility good, and the neat little gear selector keeps the centre console tidy. A nine-inch touchscreen runs Google Automotive Services, with Google Maps and live traffic – though for connectivity, your phone still needs a USB lead. The 12.3-inch driver’s display is sharp, but I’d happily swap a few menus for some proper buttons. Two-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power tailgate and a rear parking camera with sensors all come as standard.

Comfort is where it really scores. The front seats are supportive and pleasantly firm – just the right side of cosy – with plenty of adjustment . You perch up high with a commanding view, and long journeys slip by easy. The cabin feels light and airy, though room is at a premium in the back seats  – fine for kids and shorter trips, but not the last word in legroom.

Powertrain and performance

Under the bonnet sits a 1,969cc turbocharged four-pot mild-hybrid petrol powerplant. It’s a smooth unit deliver 163hp and 265Nm – and it sends power to the front wheels through an automatic that shifts without fuss. 

It’s no speedster. Volvo quotes 0–62mph in 8.6 seconds and a 112mph top end, which is plenty for merging, overtaking and getting away from an emergency, but it won’t pin you to your seat. Claimed economy is 39.2–42.7mpg, but my test run came in nearer 37mpg. 

For company car drivers CO₂ of 149–164g/km lands it in the 35% BIK bracket. 

On the road

Out on the road, the first thing that strikes you is just how refined it feels. The engine goes about its business quietly and smoothly, all polished manners, and it’d really rather you didn’t thrash it. Ask for a burst of speed and it’ll oblige – quick enough to nip into a gap or overtake without a sweat – but it never feels properly fast. 

Through a Peak District journey, it was composed rather than racy, with responsive steering and tidy body control. It’s set up for comfort, not for carving throught corners. Where it really earns its keep is on the motorway where a long journey it settles into a relaxed, easy gait. Road noise is kept well in check, and the ride stays comfortable at motorway speeds. Not a hot hatch, then – more a comfy armchair on wheels.

Practicality and ownership

The XC40 is genuinely practical. The 443-litre boot swallows a weekly shop, weekend-away bags or decent-sized loads for the local tip. Cost-wise it is competitive but not class-leading: £40,260 for Plus trim is fair, yet it faces many talented premium rivals.

Safety

Safety is the standout. City Safety with Steering Support watches for pedestrians, cyclists and cars, even at junctions. Oncoming Lane Mitigation steers you back if you drift over the centre line, while Run-off Road Protection tightens the seatbelts if you leave the road.

The verdict

The XC40 B3 Plus isn’t the fastest or flashiest compact SUV, but it doubles down on Volvo’s strengths: safety, style and sensible luxury. It’s willing rather than quick, and the 35% BIK rating will rule it out for some company drivers. Still, it charms with a premium cabin and excellent infotainment. For families prioritising calm and safety over pace, it’s one of the most reassuring compact SUVs on sale – and proof that safety and style can go hand in hand.

Factfile

Model: Volvo XC40 B3 Plus
Price: £40,260
Mechanical: 163hp (165 PS), 265Nm, 1,969cc turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol, driving the front wheels via an automatic transmission
Max speed: 112 mph
0 to 62mph: 8.6 sec
Combined mpg: 39.2–42.7 mpg claimed; approx. 37 mpg on test
Insurance group: Not quoted
CO₂ emissions: 149–164 g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles