Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2021 BMW i3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 i3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision Mitigation optional in the Outlander PHEV as “Superior.” The i3 scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Outlander PHEV has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The i3 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Outlander PHEV’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The i3 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 i3 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’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The i3 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the i3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV weighs 935 to 1272 pounds more than the BMW i3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 i3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the i3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (221 vs. 168) than the i3 REx’s standard 0.6 2-cylinder hybrid. The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (221 vs. 181) than the i3s’ standard electric motor.

The Outlander PHEV has 9 gallons more fuel capacity than the i3 Range Extender (11.3 vs. 2.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Outlander PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the i3:

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the i3 (225/55R18 vs. 155/70R19). The Outlander PHEV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the i3 (225/55R18 vs. 175/55R20).

The Outlander PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the i3’s standard 70 series front and 60 series rear tires.

The Outlander PHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Outlander PHEV flat and controlled during cornering. The i3’s suspension doesn’t offer stabilizer bars.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outlander PHEV’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the i3 (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

The Outlander PHEV has standard seating for 5 passengers; the i3 can only carry 4.

The Outlander PHEV has 18.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i3 (102.1 vs. 83.6).

The Outlander PHEV has 1 inch more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 6 inches more rear legroom and 6.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the i3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The i3’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 i3 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The i3 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 i3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Outlander PHEV’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the i3’s standard power windows.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Outlander PHEV detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The i3 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 i3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 i3 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 i3 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 i3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the BMW i3 by over 14 to one during the 2021 model year.