Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a metal gas tank.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 214 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV was not even a “Top Pick” for 2016.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Outlander PHEV runs out after 100,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander PHEV.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Outlander PHEV’s camshafts. If the Outlander PHEV’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 14 places higher in reliability than Mitsubishi.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Outlander PHEV running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 77 city/71 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 26 city/26 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 29 miles, 21% further than the Outlander PHEV’s 24 mile range.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Outlander PHEV’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (106.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Outlander PHEV’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.6 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 8.8 inches shorter than the Outlander PHEV, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 10.4 inches shorter in height than the Outlander PHEV, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front grille of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has 1.3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room and 1 inch more rear hip room than the Outlander PHEV.

When different drivers share the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, the optional memory seats make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer memory seats.

The power windows standard on both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a navigation system.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will be $8969 to $10200 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.