Mitsubishi Outlander vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive front styling, characterized by the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept. Despite its daring front, the design from the front wheels to the rear bumper was balanced and appealing. The Outlander was available in several trims, including ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, SEL, and SEL Launch Edition, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, showcased a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and a premium sound system, enhancing the overall ambiance. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover SUV status.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a more conservative appearance with minimal changes, such as a new Cypress Green paint color and standard power-folding exterior mirrors for higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid's design was over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a visually busy interior. The cabin featured large air vents, a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen, and oversized climate control knobs, creating a less subtle and elegant environment. The interior materials and controls felt inexpensive, and the storage areas were unlined, leading to potential noise issues. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was notably quiet on the road, thanks to acoustic front window glass in higher trims.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) powering the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. However, the SUV struggled with acceleration, especially on highways or during overtaking maneuvers, due to its lack of power. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. The hybrid system allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds, but the gas engine's torque was limited, affecting high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an additional Trail mode for AWD models. The SUV excelled in fuel economy, though it returned 28.7 mpg during testing, below the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The Highlander Hybrid's ride was soft and compliant, absorbing road imperfections well, but the driving experience was uninspiring and lacked engagement.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive displays. The rear seat offered generous space and comfort, with the ability to slide for additional cargo room. However, the third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down provided 33.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 78.3 cubic feet with the panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable, and the third-row seat was best for occasional use. The Highlander Hybrid featured three-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats. However, accessing the third row was challenging, and the cargo space was limited with the third row in use. Folding the third row expanded the cargo area to 48.4 cubic feet, with a maximum of 84.3 cubic feet available with the second row folded.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The SUV also included a wireless smartphone charger and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system with an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. While the technology was generally user-friendly, the graphics lacked contrast, making visibility challenging at times.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. The SUV included standard driver-assist technologies, such as forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. The system included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Highlander Hybrid also featured blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera in higher trims. The ADAS performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane markings. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.