Compare the2023 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Outlander PHEV have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander PHEV’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander PHEV’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (300 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (318 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 152 more horsepower (400 vs. 248) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 332) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV:

The Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (17.9 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (20.2 vs. 14.8 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Outlander PHEV are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Outlander PHEV:

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Outlander PHEV (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander PHEV (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Outlander PHEV’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 12.6 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (119.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Outlander PHEV SEL Premium pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Explorer ST has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (7.9 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Outlander PHEV (8.7 vs. 7.8 inches).

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Explorer has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Explorer Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Explorer has 27.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander PHEV (152.7 vs. 125.5).

The Explorer has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 5.3 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room, 6 inches more rear shoulder room, 5.8 inches more third row headroom, 13.1 inches more third row legroom and 3.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander PHEV.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Outlander PHEV’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (3000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is only 1500 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander PHEV. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer 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.

The Explorer’s front power windows 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 Outlander PHEV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Explorer (except Base/XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Explorer’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost five to one during 2022.