2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The primary divergence between the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is fuel economy, with the Highlander achieving a combined 35 MPG versus the Outlander PHEV's 26 MPG combined rating. This efficiency gap is significant, even though the Outlander offers a dedicated 38 miles of electric range before dipping into gas mode. Price is the second major differentiator; the Highlander Hybrid starts at $47,020, commanding a $6,575 premium over the Outlander PHEV's $40,445 MSRP. Power output is closely matched, with the Outlander leading marginally at 248 hp compared to the Highlander's 243 hp. Dimensions vary, with the Highlander being substantially longer at 194.9 inches versus 185.4 inches for the Mitsubishi. Furthermore, the Highlander offers superior utility with 16 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander’s 12.8 cu ft, although both utilize AWD systems.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV's 38 miles of electric range significantly reduces daily operational costs for typical commute distances compared to the Highlander Hybrid's reliance solely on gasoline savings.
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid provides more physical space with 16 cu ft of cargo capacity and is nearly 9.5 inches longer, offering superior accommodations for passengers and gear.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV outputs 248 horsepower, narrowly edging out the Highlander Hybrid's 243 horsepower output.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV commands the value category by offering a substantial $6,575 lower starting MSRP while still providing plug-in capability.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- Your primary concern is minimizing upfront acquisition costs, as the MSRP is $40,445.
- You can leverage the 38 miles of all-electric range for daily zero-emission commuting.
- You require an all-wheel-drive system coupled with a plug-in hybrid powertrain configuration.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Maximum fuel efficiency is critical, as evidenced by its 35 MPG combined rating versus Car 1's 26 MPG.
- You need more usable space, indicated by its 16 cu ft cargo capacity compared to 12.8 cu ft.
- A larger overall footprint (194.9 inches in length) is preferred for perceived road presence and passenger volume.
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 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
What is the actual financial difference in purchase price between these two crossovers?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid carries an MSRP of $47,020, making it exactly $6,575 more expensive than the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which starts at $40,445.
How does the range factor into the efficiency comparison, given Car 1 is a PHEV?
The Outlander PHEV can travel 38 miles purely on electricity; however, once depleted, its gasoline efficiency drops to 26 MPG combined, whereas the Highlander Hybrid maintains 35 MPG combined consistently.
Which vehicle offers better utility based on provided cargo specifications?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid provides superior dedicated storage space, offering 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity, surpassing the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cubic feet.
Is there a noticeable horsepower disparity between the two models?
The power outputs are extremely close; the Outlander PHEV produces 248 hp, giving it a slight 5 hp advantage over the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp.
Do both vehicles utilize similar drivetrain technology for the AWD system?
Both crossovers feature all-wheel drive; however, the Outlander PHEV uses a 1-speed direct drive transmission while the Highlander Hybrid utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
Considering the vehicle dimensions, which one is physically larger?
The Highlander Hybrid is physically larger, measuring 194.9 inches in length compared to the Outlander PHEV's 185.4 inches, although the Mitsubishi is slightly wider at 84.4 inches versus the Toyota's 76.0 inches.
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