2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

$40,445 · Crossover

$30,805 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV thrills with its robust 248 hp hybrid powertrain and 38 miles of pure electric range, making electrified commuting a reality, though its $40,445 MSRP is significantly higher. In contrast, the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan impresses with exceptional efficiency, boasting a 34 MPG highway rating, and a lower starting price of just $30,805. The Outlander PHEV uses an AWD system and a 1-speed direct drive, whereas the Tiguan relies on FWD paired with a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission, offering different driving philosophies. While the Tiguan is surprisingly spacious, offering 33.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander’s 12.8 cu ft, the Outlander claws back ground with its substantial 47 hp advantage, delivering punchier acceleration off the line.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Outlander PHEV's 38-mile electric range allows for substantial zero-emission daily driving, offsetting its lower combined 26 MPG rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2026 Tiguan offers vastly superior utility with 33.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander's 12.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

With 248 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive, the Outlander PHEV provides more power and assured traction than the FWD Tiguan's 201 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan undercuts the Outlander by $9,640, presenting a much more attainable entry price for a capable crossover.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...

You prioritize high-output performance and need 248 hp channeled through an All-Wheel Drive system.
Your daily driving route allows you to frequently utilize the segment-leading 38 miles of pure electric driving range.
You prefer the direct power delivery characteristic of the Outlander's 1-speed direct drive transmission.

Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...

Maximizing storage space is crucial, as the Tiguan offers a cavernous 33.8 cu ft of cargo volume.
You seek the highest pure fuel economy, leveraging the Tiguan's excellent 34 MPG highway rating.
Budget consciousness is key, given the $9,640 significant MSRP difference between the two models.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	Volkswagen Tiguan
Length	185.4"	184.4"
Width	84.4"	73.0"
Height	68.5"	66.1"
Wheelbase	106.5"	109.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
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	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	248 hp	201 hp @ 5250 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	—	207 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	1-speed direct drive	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/27 MPG	26/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.0/399.6 mi.	377.0/493.0 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.	14.5 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	CHAdeMO	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	7
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	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	1	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	39.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 in.	57.0 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	54.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	55.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	53.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/60R18	215/65R H
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 30000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan.

What is the primary functional difference between the two powertrains?

The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid capable of 38 miles of electric-only driving before relying on the gasoline engine, whereas the Tiguan uses a conventional gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission for a combined 29 MPG.

Which crossover is physically larger, and does this affect practicality?

Although the Outlander PHEV is slightly longer and wider, the Tiguan offers significantly more usable space, boasting 33.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander's 12.8 cu ft.

How much more horsepower does the Outlander PHEV have over the Tiguan?

The 2025 Outlander PHEV generates 248 hp, providing a 47 hp advantage over the 2026 Tiguan's 201 hp, which should translate to noticeably quicker acceleration.

Is the base drive configuration different between these two crossovers?

Yes, the Outlander PHEV comes standard with All-Wheel Drive for enhanced grip, while the entry-level Tiguan uses a simpler, more efficiency-focused Front Wheel Drive configuration.

Considering the running costs, which vehicle saves money?

The 2026 Tiguan starts at $30,805 and achieves 34 MPG highway, making it cheaper to buy and generally cheaper to fuel than the $40,445 Outlander PHEV, despite the latter's EV mode savings.