2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
The classic struggle: do you prioritize fuel savings and electric convenience or raw power and cargo space? The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $40,445 with 248 hp and offers a useful 38 miles of electric range, appealing to short-trip commuters. Conversely, the 2026 Ford Explorer, while less expensive at $38,330, packs a punch with 300 hp. Fuel economy shows the Outlander PHEV netting 26 combined MPG versus the Explorer's 24 combined MPG, though the Explorer benefits from a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer also boasts superior utility, offering 16.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Mitsubishi's 12.8 cu ft. Ultimately, choosing between 38 miles of electric driving and 52 extra horsepower defines this decision for most shoppers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV wins for commuters due to its 38 miles of all-electric range, potentially eliminating daily fuel stops.
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Explorer is better for families because it provides a larger 16.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cu ft.
2026 Ford Explorer
Enthusiasts will prefer the Explorer because its 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque significantly outperform the Outlander PHEV's 248 hp.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Explorer offers significantly more horsepower and cargo space for a lower starting MSRP of $38,330 versus the Outlander PHEV's $40,445.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- Your daily driving remains under the 38-mile electric range limit to maximize plug-in savings.
- You prioritize an AWD system paired with a direct drive transmission for simplicity.
- You need the slightly better overall combined fuel economy rating of 26 MPG.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You need the maximum hauling capacity, as the Explorer offers 16.3 cu ft versus 12.8 cu ft.
- You prefer the responsiveness of 300 hp and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
- You want the lower entry price point, starting $2,115 cheaper at $38,330.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.4" | 198.8" |
| Width | 84.4" | 78.9" |
| Height | 68.5" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 106.5" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/27 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.0/399.6 mi. | 358.0/519.1 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. | 17.9 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | CHAdeMO | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 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 |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.6 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.0 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 59.1 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 | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/60R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2026 Ford Explorer.
Which vehicle is more powerful for highway merging?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is significantly more potent, producing 300 hp compared to the Outlander PHEV's 248 hp, giving the Explorer a clear advantage when passing or merging.
How much smaller is the Outlander PHEV than the Explorer?
The Outlander PHEV is shorter in overall length by about 13.4 inches (185.4 in vs 198.8 in), though the Explorer is slightly narrower by roughly 5.5 inches.
Is the Outlander PHEV's electric range enough for most local trips?
With 38 miles of electric range, the 2025 Outlander PHEV covers the average American daily commute easily, reducing reliance on regular unleaded fuel.
Does the difference in MPG matter between these two crossovers?
Yes, the Outlander PHEV has a 26 combined MPG rating, beating the Explorer's 24 combined MPG, especially when factoring in its EV-only operation.
Which car offers better space for gear or luggage?
The Ford Explorer wins handily on cargo capacity, providing 16.3 cubic feet, while the Outlander PHEV is quite restricted with only 12.8 cubic feet.
What is the main mechanical difference in their drivetrains?
The Outlander PHEV uses a single-speed direct drive system optimized for electric continuity, whereas the Explorer employs a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission paired with its powerful engine.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool