Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has confirmed the new Outlander Sport HEV will land in local dealerships from the start of December, and the headline number is likely to get attention: $39,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level XLS 2WD.
That puts Mitsubishi into a busy but important part of the market. Kiwi buyers still like SUVs, but not everyone wants the cost or charging routine that comes with a plug-in. The Outlander Sport HEV gives Mitsubishi a conventional full-hybrid option, using a 1.6-litre MIVEC petrol engine paired with an 85kW electric motor.
Mitsubishi claims combined fuel use of 4.0L/100km and CO₂ emissions of 95g/km on the WLTP cycle. If those figures hold up in real-world driving, that would make the Outlander Sport worth a look for buyers who want something more efficient than a standard petrol SUV, but aren’t ready to go fully electric.
The range opens with the XLS 2WD, while the higher-spec VRX is priced from $46,990 plus on-road costs, or $48,490 for the two-tone VRX.
MMNZ Chief Operating Officer Tony Johnston said the Outlander Sport’s pricing and hybrid setup should give it broad appeal.
“At $39,990 plus on-road costs, Outlander Sport XLS offers Kiwi drivers an accessible way into an electrified SUV without having to plug in.
“It’s also an SUV designed to fit the way New Zealanders live. It’s compact and easy to drive around town – but there’s plenty of room inside for passengers and gear, with the versatility for everything from the daily commute and school run to weekends away.”
Hybrid system and drive modes
The Generation 2 HEV system does the usual hybrid work in the background, switching between petrol and electric power depending on driving conditions and battery charge. Regenerative braking helps replenish the battery while driving, so there’s no plug, no cable, and no need to change your routine.
Mitsubishi has also included seven selectable drive modes: Normal, Tarmac, Wet, Gravel, Mud, EV Priority and Charge. The inclusion of Gravel and Mud modes is a nice nod to the sort of mixed use many New Zealand SUVs actually see, even if most of them will still spend plenty of time on the school run or crawling through commuter traffic.
Size, space and interior features
At 4,390mm long and 1,810mm wide, the Outlander Sport should be city-friendly without feeling too small. Its 2,650mm wheelbase gives it a five-seat cabin, while rear passengers get a flat floor and an eight-position reclining rear seatback. The 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat is also a practical touch, especially for families trying to juggle passengers, bags, sports gear, and the occasional awkwardly shaped purchase.
Boot space is listed at 329 litres, with a further 21 litres of underfloor storage. That isn’t huge, but it should be workable for the segment, and Mitsubishi says the load area is wide enough to carry two large suitcases side by side.
Equipment looks reasonably strong from the start. Both XLS and VRX models include a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, while the XLS gets a 12.3-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio system, an 8-inch digital driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, Active Yaw Control, reversing camera and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Step up to the VRX and the list grows to include Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium audio, wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting, Multi Around View Monitor, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a hands-free power tailgate. Whether the VRX is worth the jump will depend on how much buyers value the extra convenience gear, but the XLS already looks like the sharper value play on paper.
Design and colours
The Outlander Sport wears Mitsubishi’s latest Dynamic Shield design language, with louvre-style daytime running lights, horizontal T-shaped rear lights and styling linked to the brand’s ‘Silky and Solid’ design concept. Marketing phrase aside, it does at least give the smaller SUV a clear connection to Mitsubishi’s current family look.
Six exterior colours will be offered: Rose Red, Volt Yellow, Graphite Grey, Aspiring White, Blade Silver and Pitch Black. Five contrasting black-roof combinations will be available on the two-tone VRX.
First of three new Mitsubishi models
The Outlander Sport is also the first of three new Mitsubishi models due here before Christmas, with the ASX VR-e and Pajero also scheduled to arrive before the end of the year. That makes this more than just a single model launch; it’s the start of a busy refresh for Mitsubishi’s New Zealand line-up.
“The arrival of Outlander Sport starts an exciting period for Mitsubishi in New Zealand,” said Johnston.
“With Outlander Sport, ASX VR-e and Pajero all arriving before Christmas, we’re bringing Kiwi drivers three very different new choices in a matter of weeks.”
DriveLife take
On paper, the Outlander Sport HEV looks like a sensible addition to Mitsubishi’s local range. The price is the obvious hook, but the bigger story may be that Mitsubishi is giving buyers a relatively simple hybrid SUV at a time when many are still unsure about making the jump to a plug-in or full EV. The real test will be how close it gets to that claimed 4.0L/100km figure once it’s loaded up and driven on New Zealand roads.
