Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

The Outlander PHEV has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Outlander PHEV GT has a standard Multi View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Outlander PHEV has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 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 and rearview cameras.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV weighs 926 pounds more than the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 8th.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 82 more horsepower (221 vs. 139) than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Outlander PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (225/55R18 vs. 205/55R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

The Outlander PHEV has 5.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (102.1 vs. 96.2).

The Outlander PHEV has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Outlander PHEV has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Outlander PHEV’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Outlander PHEV’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Outlander PHEV has a standard rear wiper. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

On extremely cold winter days, the Outlander PHEV GT’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Outlander PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Outlander PHEV GT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Hyundai Ioniq by 36% during the 2021 model year.