Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

The seven-passenger Outlander is based on the Nissan Rogue, although the tiny third-row seat is exclusive to the Mitsubishi. The plug-in hybrid version is much quicker and quieter then the regular Outlander, and provides 38 miles of electric driving before it transitions to regular hybrid operation and yields a total of 400-plus miles. It takes 6.5 hours to charge the 20 kWh battery and that as a hybrid, once the battery level is low, the car gets 25 mpg overall in our tests. This PHEV feels very much like an EV when driven in electric mode, likely due to the fact that it does not have a conventional transmission but a direct drive like an EV. Otherwise, it's similar to the regular Outlander with an overly stiff ride and overly light steering. Controls are easy to use, including the Nissan-sourced infotainment system.