2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2026 Lexus RX
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV bursts onto the scene with its electric prowess, offering a practical 38 miles of pure EV range for daily zero-emission driving, making it instantly appealing for urban efficiency. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus RX tantalizes with superior on-road refinement, boasting 275 horsepower and a robust 317 lb-ft of torque, though it demands premium fuel. The Outlander PHEV starts significantly lower at $40,445 compared to the Lexus's $49,725 price tag, creating a substantial $9,280 difference favoring the Mitsubishi. While the Lexus offers greater overall hauling ability with 29.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Outlander’s 12.8 cu ft, the Mitsubishi counters with its plug-in capability and a respectable 248 hp output achieved on regular unleaded fuel, making its efficiency credentials very compelling.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV wins for commuters due to its generous 38 miles of electric range, significantly reducing daily gasoline consumption.
2026 Lexus RX
The 2026 Lexus RX provides substantially more utility for families, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander's 12.8 cu ft.
2026 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX appeals more to driving enthusiasts with 275 horsepower and a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission providing a more engaging drive than the single-speed direct drive in the Mitsubishi.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV is the clear value winner, starting nearly $9,300 less than the Lexus while still delivering AWD capability and significant electric driving benefits.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- Your primary goal is minimizing fuel costs with an impressive 38 miles of electric range.
- You want all-wheel drive combined with hybrid efficiency for under $41,000 (MSRP $40,445).
- You prefer running your vehicle on regular unleaded gasoline rather than premium fuel.
Choose the Lexus RX if...
- You require maximum cargo hauling capability, as the RX offers 29.6 cu ft versus the PHEV's 12.8 cu ft.
- You value higher peak performance numbers, enjoying the 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer the refined driving dynamics afforded by an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Lexus RX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.4" | 192.5" |
| Width | 84.4" | 75.6" |
| Height | 68.5" | 67.3" |
| Wheelbase | 106.5" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 275 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/27 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.0/399.6 mi. | 391.6/516.2 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. | 17.8 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | CHAdeMO | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 9.8 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 12 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.6 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.0 in. | 56.7 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 | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 37.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.0 in | 19 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/60R18 | ✓ |
| Painted Alloy Wheels | — | ✓ |
| Polished Alloy Wheels | — | ✓ |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Mitsubishi | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2026 Lexus RX.
How much more expensive is the 2026 Lexus RX compared to the 2025 Outlander PHEV?
The 2026 Lexus RX carries a notable price penalty, with an MSRP of $49,725 compared to the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's starting price of $40,445. This creates a significant price gap of $9,280 between the two crossovers.
Which crossover is better for maximizing electric-only driving per charge?
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the clear winner here, boasting a manufacturer-stated electric range of 38 miles. The 2026 Lexus RX comparison specs provided do not list an electric range, suggesting it operates primarily as a standard hybrid or mild hybrid.
Does the difference in horsepower translate to a significant performance gap?
Yes, the 2026 Lexus RX has a 27 horsepower advantage, producing 275 hp versus the Outlander PHEV's 248 hp. Furthermore, the RX boasts 317 lb-ft of torque, hinting at a more immediate feel than the Mitsubishi's direct drive system.
How do the fuel requirements and fuel economy ratings differ?
The Outlander PHEV achieves 26 combined MPG using regular unleaded fuel, while the more powerful Lexus RX is rated for 25 combined MPG and recommends premium unleaded fuel for its performance figures.
Which vehicle provides superior space for passengers and cargo?
The Lexus RX is significantly larger overall, with a length of 192.5 inches compared to the Outlander’s 185.4 inches, which translates directly into superior interior space, especially cargo capacity at 29.6 cu ft versus the Mitsubishi's 12.8 cu ft.
What is the mechanical difference in how these two drivetrains operate?
The 2025 Outlander PHEV uses a 1-speed direct drive system common in electric hybrids, whereas the 2026 Lexus RX employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with its engine.
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