2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Comparison Overview
When you're staring down the barrel of buying a new family crossover, the classic dilemma is always cost versus ultimate efficiency. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts impressively low at $40,445, significantly undercutting the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's $46,820 MSRP by $6,375. However, the Highlander fights back hard on fuel economy, boasting a 35 MPG combined rating versus the Outlander PHEV's 26 MPG combined (when running as a hybrid). The Mitsubishi does offer a specific advantage with 38 miles of pure electric range, meaning local commutes might see near-zero fuel use, but the Toyota’s hybrid system offers greater overall touring mileage. While both offer capable all-wheel drive and comparable horsepower (248 hp for the Mitsubishi vs. 243 hp for the Toyota), deciding hinges on whether daily plug-in access or overall superior hybrid cruising MPG matters more to your wallet.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV’s 38 miles of electric range is better suited for daily zero-emission commuting than the Highlander Hybrid’s traditional hybrid setup.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid is nearly 10 inches longer, providing superior interior space and a larger 16 cu ft cargo area compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cu ft.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV slightly edges out the competition with 248 hp versus the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV wins on initial outlay, saving buyers $6,375 compared to the Highlander Hybrid’s starting price.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- You prioritize saving money upfront, as the Outlander PHEV has a $6,375 lower starting MSRP.
- Your driving involves mostly short trips, allowing you to utilize the full 38 miles of electric range.
- You prefer the quick response of a 1-speed direct drive transmission over a continuously variable transmission.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Maximum overall efficiency is key, thanks to the Highlander Hybrid's superior 35 MPG combined rating.
- You need more practical utility, as its 16 cu ft of cargo capacity outweighs the Outlander's 12.8 cu ft.
- Long highway trips are common, where the Highlander's superior non-PHEV fuel economy will shine.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Toyota Highlander Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.4" | 194.9" |
| Width | 84.4" | 76.0" |
| Height | 68.5" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 106.5" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Washers | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 243 hp @ 6000 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 | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/27 MPG | 35/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 35 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.0/399.6 mi. | 598.5/598.5 mi. |
| 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. | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 17.1 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | CHAdeMO | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 in |
| 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 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.6 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.0 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/60R18 | P235/65R18 |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
What is the key difference in fuel economy between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is significantly more efficient overall, achieving 35 MPG combined. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is rated lower at 26 MPG combined when operating in its hybrid mode.
How much electric-only driving can I expect from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The Outlander PHEV provides an impressive 38 miles of all-electric range on a full charge. This makes it potentially ideal for zero-emission daily commutes if your travel distance falls within that range.
Which vehicle is better for hauling gear or luggage?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers more usable space with 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cubic feet.
Is there a big performance gap between the 2025 Outlander PHEV and the 2025 Highlander Hybrid?
Performance is very similar, with the Mitsubishi slightly ahead at 248 horsepower versus the Toyota's 243 horsepower. Both models feature all-wheel drive capability.
Why is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV significantly cheaper than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The Outlander PHEV has an MSRP starting at $40,445, which is $6,375 less than the Highlander Hybrid's starting price of $46,820. This difference is substantial for budget-conscious buyers.
Do I need premium fuel for either of these crossovers?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs down.
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