Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Nissan Leaf

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

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Leaf 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Outlander PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Leaf’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Leaf. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Leaf ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Leaf’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked fifth.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (221 vs. 147) than the Leaf’s standard electric motor. The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (221 vs. 214) than the Leaf PLUS’ standard 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 Leaf’s range is only 226 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 45 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 53 hours and 40 minutes.

For better stopping power the Outlander PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Leaf:

The Outlander PHEV stops shorter than the Leaf:

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Leaf (225/55R18 vs. 205/55R16). The Outlander PHEV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (225/55R18 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The Leaf’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Leaf has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Outlander PHEV’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the Leaf’s (56.9% to 43.1%). This gives the Outlander PHEV more stable handling and braking.

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

The Outlander PHEV has .9 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Leaf’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 Leaf doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Leaf has no towing capacity.

The Outlander PHEV’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Leaf’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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 Leaf’s passenger windows don’t 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 Leaf’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Outlander PHEV’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Leaf SV/SL.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Leaf doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 Leaf doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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 Leaf doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Nissan Leaf by 83% during the 2021 model year.