Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The X5 xDrive45e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 xDrive45e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, 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 X5 xDrive45e and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 1039 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV has not been tested, yet.

The X5 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the Outlander PHEV’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 141 more horsepower (389 vs. 248) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 332) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The X5 xDrive45e has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (18.2 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer launch control.

The X5 xDrive45e’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.

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the Outlander PHEV (265/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander PHEV (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander PHEV’s standard 60 series tires. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander PHEV. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional 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 front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Outlander PHEV, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander PHEV’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (117.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the X5 xDrive45e has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The X5 xDrive45e has .2 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 11.7 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the Outlander PHEV have standard second row automatic folding seats. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional third row seats also fold down at the press of a button. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X5 xDrive45e. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Outlander PHEV’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (5952 vs. 1500 pounds).

The X5 xDrive45e uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander PHEV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the X5 xDrive45e 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 12th.

The power windows standard on both the X5 xDrive45e and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 xDrive45e 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 X5 xDrive45e’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 X5 xDrive45e the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower 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.

The X5 xDrive45e’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X5 xDrive45e’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 Outlander PHEV’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 xDrive45e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 xDrive45e also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X5 xDrive45e’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.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard 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 X5 xDrive45e 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 with a charcoal activated canister removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the X5 xDrive45e’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 X5 xDrive45e’s optional Parking Assistant Plus 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 BMW X5 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost two to one during 2022.