Mitsubishi Outlander vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 trim levels, all featuring standard all-wheel drive and a range of luxurious interior options, such as premium semi-aniline leather and a head-up display in the GT Premium trim. Despite some interior plastics reminding drivers of its compact crossover SUV segment, the Outlander managed to avoid using obviously inexpensive materials, offering a minimalist interior design with authentic aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a more conservative approach to design changes, with minimal updates such as a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's exterior was described as over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of elegance. Inside, the cabin continued this theme with oversized elements like a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. The interior's mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, created a visually overwhelming experience. Despite these design choices, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride on the road, although the quality of materials and construction left much to be desired.

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) that powered Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite the promise of paddle shifters and multiple driving modes, the Outlander struggled to deliver a satisfying driving experience, particularly at higher speeds or when attempting to pass on a two-lane road. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, resulting in a brittle ride over imperfect pavement. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption rate of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, falling short of its official rating.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing a total of 243 horsepower. This setup provided standard AWD and allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds. However, the gas engine's limited torque meant high-speed passing power was lacking, and towing capacity was questionable. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and CVT made for a dull driving experience. Despite its focus on fuel economy, the Highlander Hybrid returned 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres, higher than its official rating. The SUV was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a compliant ride and quiet highway performance.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive displays. However, the centre console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped and not ideal for adults. Cargo capacity was limited with the third-row seat in use, but folding it down provided a more generous 948 litres of space. Maximum cargo capacity reached 2,217 litres with the panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered seating for seven or eight people, with most models featuring second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was best for occasional use, as access was tight and comfort was limited. The Highlander Hybrid included standard three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats in higher trims. Cargo space was more generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded. However, the centre armrest storage console was unnecessarily complex, and the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 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, but voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise.

For 2023, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services like Remote Connect and Drive Connect enhanced the infotainment experience, while an 11-speaker JBL sound system provided decent audio quality. However, the graphics could have been bolder, and the controls for the digital display were not intuitive.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included standard safety features like forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera in higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.