2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Explorer unleashes raw V6 performance, boasting 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, making its 10-speed automatic feel muscular as it hauls its 198.8-inch frame. Conversely, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV captivates with plug-in efficiency, offering a compelling 38 miles of pure electric range while still delivering a respectable 248 hp through its advanced AWD system. The Explorer commits to traditional power and RWD agility, achieving a 24 MPG combined rating, while the PHEV prioritizes greener daily driving with a superior 26 MPG combined, despite its slightly smaller 12.8 cu ft cargo hold compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. This comparison pits brute force and interior space against groundbreaking electric versatility and better city fuel economy, setting up a fascinating battle for the crossover crown.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV offers 38 miles of electric range, allowing for significant emission-free commuting on a daily basis.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer provides substantially more utility with 18.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cubic feet.
2025 Ford Explorer
With 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, the Explorer offers 52 more horsepower for a distinctly more exhilarating, rear-wheel-drive performance experience.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Despite being similarly priced at around $40,445, the Outlander PHEV offers superior fuel economy and electric utility, improving long-term running costs.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You crave maximum acceleration and enjoy the feel of a potent 300 hp engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
- Your priorities heavily lean toward superior cargo hauling, utilizing the massive 18.2 cubic feet of storage space.
- You prefer the traditional dynamics and handling characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive platform.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- Zeroing out your daily commute via the impressive 38 miles of all-electric range is critical for you.
- All-wheel-drive capability is mandatory for navigating variable road conditions.
- Maximizing overall fuel efficiency is key, evidenced by its 26 MPG combined rating versus Car 1's 24 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 185.4" |
| Width | 78.9" | 84.4" |
| Height | 69.9" | 68.5" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 106.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Washers | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 248 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | — |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 1-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 25/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 370.0/399.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | — | 67/61 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 64 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 38 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 52 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 6.5 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | CHAdeMO |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Infotainment Display | — | 8.0 in |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | P235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Ford Explorer than the Outlander PHEV?
The Ford Explorer holds a significant advantage in raw power, delivering 300 horsepower, which is 52 hp more than the 248 hp produced by the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV powertrain.
Which crossover is better for long road trips based on fuel specs?
While the PHEV has a great electric range, for covering vast distances without plugging in, the Explorer might be preferred due to its 29 MPG highway rating on regular unleaded fuel.
Does the PHEV offer enough electric range for daily driving errands?
Yes, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV boasts a 38-mile all-electric range, meaning many daily commutes or local errands can be completed solely on battery power.
How does the size difference impact interior usability between these two models?
The Ford Explorer is physically longer at 198.8 inches and offers notably more utility, featuring 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cubic feet.
What are the core mechanical differences in their drivetrains?
The Explorer utilizes a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, whereas the Outlander PHEV employs an all-wheel-drive system paired with a simpler 1-speed direct drive transmission for electric efficiency.
If I need the lowest running costs, which vehicle should I choose?
The Outlander PHEV is generally positioned for lower running costs due to its ability to run on electricity, although its base MSRP is slightly higher at $40,445 versus $40,050 for the Explorer.
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