Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Rav4 Prime has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies 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 Rav4 Prime and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Prime the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV has not been tested, yet.

The Rav4 Prime’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander PHEV’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander PHEV.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Prime’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (302 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Prime running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine (40 city/36 hwy vs. 25 city/27 hwy).

The Rav4 Prime can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 42 miles. The Outlander PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 38 miles.

The Rav4 Prime’s standard 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 Rav4 Prime 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.

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Prime SE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Rav4 Prime to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Prime XSE’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Outlander PHEV (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The Rav4 Prime is 4.5 inches shorter than the Outlander PHEV, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Rav4 Prime has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Rav4 Prime has .4 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 11.7 cubic feet). The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Prime. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4 Prime’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (2500 vs. 1500 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 Prime and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 Prime 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 Rav4 Prime’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 Outlander PHEV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Prime the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 Prime’s driver power window and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander PHEV’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Prime XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Rav4 Prime’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Prime XSE 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 Rav4 Prime’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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over 9 to one during 2022.