Compare the2024 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid and Outlander PHEV have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (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 Highlander Hybrid 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 50 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander Hybrid gets better mileage than the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine:

The Highlander Hybrid has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (17.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Highlander Hybrid’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 Highlander Hybrid 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (112.2 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

For greater off-road capability the Highlander Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Highlander Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

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

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander PHEV can only carry 7.

The Highlander Hybrid has 16.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander PHEV (141.8 vs. 125.5).

The Highlander Hybrid has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom, 8.9 inches more third row legroom, 3.5 inches more third row hip room and 3.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

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

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Outlander PHEV’s in almost every dimension:

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

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum 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 Highlander Hybrid’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 Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over five to one during 2022.