2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. This unique styling choice gave the Outlander a striking front appearance, while maintaining a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. In Canada, the Outlander was available in several trims, including ES, SE, LE, LE Premium, SEL, GT, and GT Premium, with all-wheel drive as standard. The GT Premium trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather, a head-up display, and a premium sound system, enhancing the overall upscale feel of the vehicle. Despite some interior plastics that reminded of its compact crossover segment, the Outlander managed to avoid using obviously inexpensive materials, maintaining a minimalist and refined interior design.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup truck, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that lent it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line that swooped over the rear wheel arch, creating a somewhat disjointed look compared to more cohesive designs in its class. The interior of the Highlander Hybrid was unconventional yet less jarring, with an asymmetrical dash and a metallic styling element that added visual interest. The Bronze Edition test vehicle featured unique 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery, which, while distinctive, raised concerns about durability and cleanliness. The Softex synthetic leather substitute used in the Highlander Hybrid was less convincing compared to alternatives, and the third-row seating area had more hard plastics, impacting comfort.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite the promise of paddle shifters for manual control, the driving experience was less satisfying than anticipated. The Outlander offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud, but the performance remained underwhelming, especially in higher-speed scenarios. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, resulting in a brittle ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with a hybrid system, delivering 243 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain provided a smooth initial acceleration with the help of electric motors, transitioning to the gasoline engine for sustained power. The CVT contributed to a droning engine sound under heavy acceleration, particularly on inclines. The Highlander Hybrid's ride quality was soft, with the suspension effectively smoothing over road imperfections. While not sporty, the Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort, offering a quiet cabin on highways. The braking system seamlessly integrated regenerative and physical braking, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, offering roomy and comfortable front seats with deeply padded armrests. The GT and GT Premium trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior design was clean and intuitive, with impressive digital instrumentation and a head-up display. However, the centre console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. The Outlander provided 331 litres of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 2,256 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The interior boasted plenty of storage options, including trays and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining capabilities, and the third-row seat, while less accommodating, was suitable for occasional use by children. The Highlander Hybrid provided 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured standout technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The GT Premium trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, delivering impressive sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, impacting its effectiveness.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. The Limited and Platinum trims featured a JBL premium audio system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, provided smooth and accurate assistance. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though early models had a Poor headlight rating.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist required some fine-tuning for smoother operation.