Diesel Powered Outlander Gives Mitsubishi Drivers an Interesting Choice

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The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is proving rather popular at the moment, as you would expect for what is lauded as the world's first Plug-in Hybrid SUV. So much so that you could be forgiven for thinking that the hybrid version is the only one available.

Unlike Henry Ford though, Mitsubishi will happily provide an Outlander in other colours, and the 2.2-litre diesel is a very tempting alternative. It's not as environmentally conscious as the hybrid but nevertheless it's a solid performer with its own benefits.

It can't compete with the reported 166mpg of the hybrid. Nor can the diesel compete with the 9% BIK rate and 41g/km emissions of its 21st century sibling. But to be honest you can't really compare them anyway. The drive systems are so fundamentally different it doesn't really make much sense to try and equate diesel power with the combination of petrol and electricity in the PHEV.

The Outlander diesel can return around 53mpg which is a perfectly decent effort for a seven seat SUV. It also achieves a wholly respectable 139g/km so it's not going to break anyone's tax returns either. The diesel is also around a second faster to 60mph than the hybrid, and can go on to 124mph while the hybrid is all out of puff at 109mph.

Where the diesel really comes into its own is in terms of power. Not the rip-roaring, pants-on-fire kind of power but the kind that means you can overtake safely, carry lots of people and luggage, and even tow a caravan if you're that way inclined.

The diesel version of the Outlander produces around 150bhp and 380Nm of torque. That's 30bhp more than the hybrid and double the torque figure. Mitsubishi has even said it will do 700 miles on a single tank of fuel, which is around 150 miles more than the hybrid. Nor does the diesel require you to plug it into the mains for up to five hours to recharge the batteries.

Where the diesel stands out is is its sheer practicality and versatility. That, and the fact that the more traditional means of propulsion costs around £10,000 less than the equivalent hybrid version which makes for cheaper leasing costs to offset the financial incentives of the hybrid system.

You might notice we haven't said anything about the rest of the car yet. This is deliberate.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good looking car regardless of the power supply. The diesel and hybrid versions are equally well equipped - the standard specification is remarkably generous and the options list will easily fill any gaps in your personal requirements - and have equally pleasing interiors. It doesn't really matter which one you choose because you're going to get a very nice car that deserves its popular status.

There are enough Outlanders on the road now for you to know what you are getting in terms of styling and sophistication, and you probably already know it's spacious and well-made. You really don't need us to tell you what you already know.

Obviously if you are thinking of leasing a hybrid SUV none of this is going to be relevant. Hybrid systems are seemingly here for the long term, and the benefits they provide are undeniably immense with regards to environmental concerns and running costs. If a hybrid is the best option for you then you won't go far wrong with the Outlander.

If not, then the diesel option with its flexibility and affordability opens the Outlander up to a much wider market, and with our market leading rates we can get you – as well as six other passengers - behind the wheel of one for much less than you might think.

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