Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Outlander PHEV has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV weighs 408 to 529 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona Electric. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The battery on the Outlander PHEV is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Outlander PHEV’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Kona Electric’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor.

The Outlander PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 293.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Kona Electric’s range is only 258 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 47 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 9 hours and 15 minutes.

The Outlander PHEV stops much shorter than the Kona Electric:

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Kona Electric (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Kona Electric.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outlander PHEV’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (105.1 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The Outlander PHEV has 9.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona Electric (102.1 vs. 92.4).

The Outlander PHEV has 1 inch more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Kona Electric’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona Electric with its rear seat up (30.4 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona Electric with its rear seat folded (66.6 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona Electric has no towing capacity.

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 Kona Electric’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Kona Electric’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Outlander PHEV’s power window switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kona Electric’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Kona Electric’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Outlander PHEV’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.