Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The RX 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 RX and Outlander PHEV have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RX offers optional 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 RX 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 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 Lexus RX is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

	RX	Outlander PHEV
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	97	203
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	.83 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	10 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	90	125
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Outlander PHEV has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 22 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 Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

Engine

The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (275 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 56 more horsepower (304 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 118 more horsepower (366 vs. 248) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 332) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus RX is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV:

	RX 450h+	RX 500h F Sport Performance	Outlander PHEV
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	5.5 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.3 sec	15 sec	31.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	14.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	97 MPH	82 MPH
Top Speed	124 MPH	130 MPH	110 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (base engine):

	RX	Outlander PHEV
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15 sec	31.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	82 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	130 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
RX
	AWD	350h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		500h 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
Outlander PHEV
	AWD	2.4 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/27 hwy

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (17.8 vs. 14.8 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	RX F Sport	Outlander PHEV
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13 inches

The RX’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.

Tires and Wheels

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

The RX 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.

Suspension and Handling

The RX offers an available 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’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 RX is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Outlander PHEV’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RX 350h’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Outlander PHEV (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches).

Chassis

The Lexus RX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

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

Passenger Space

The RX has 2.7 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

Cargo Capacity

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

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

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is limited to 1500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The RX 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander PHEV has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The power windows standard on both the RX and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the RX 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 RX’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 RX 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 Lexus service department.) The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander PHEV only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

The RX’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 RX’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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The RX’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 RX’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.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes 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 RX’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation that can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander PHEV only retains 45.22% to 47.91%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Outlander PHEV isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus RX outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over two to one during 2023.

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