Mitsubishi's electric SUV is now (almost) the same price as its petrol one

Tuesday, 7 August 2018

Mitsubishi has dropped the price of the Outlander VRX PHEV in New Zealand so that it now sells for roughly the same as the petrol and diesel versions.

Mitsubishi has become one of the first distributors in New Zealand to offer a plug-in hybrid version of a car at the same price as a conventional petrol or diesel version.

With the release of the upgraded Outlander PHEV for 2019 the local arm of the Japanese company has chopped $8,000 out of the top-spec VRX, a move that now sees it retail for $55,990.

This puts the PHEV right in between the petrol and diesel versions of the VRX, with the petrol retailing for $54,990 and the oiler $56,990.

The Outlander is the most popular EV/PHEV in the country.

'Mitsubishi Motors is a pioneer in hybrid EV technology and, as much as possible, we don't want price to be a barrier to people deciding to join the move towards EV motoring,' said Reece Congdon, head of marketing and corporate affairs for Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand.

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The Outlander PHEV's all-electric range is 54km and it can use a fast charger to recharge the battery to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.

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'By bringing the cost of the new PHEV VRX in line with a number of petrol and diesel equivalents on the market, we are offering real choice to our customers.'

The price drop also places the PHEV right in the meat of the competitive medium/large SUV segment in terms of pricing, with the likes of a top spec Toyota RAV4 or entry level larger Fortuner or Highlander all priced in the mid-50s, while a top-spec Holden Equinox LTZ-V or Hyundai Tucson both sit in the mid to high 50s as well.

The Outlander PHEV was the first plug-in hybrid SUV to go on sale in New Zealand and has been a popular choice for Kiwis, even when it demanded a premium over conventionally-powered models, being the best-selling EV/PHEV every year since it launched in 2014.

Congdon said MMNZ is confident the new model upgrades and lower price point will keep Outlander PHEV in the number one spot.

'There are currently almost 1,000 Outlander PHEVs on New Zealand roads – more than any other new hybrid SUV or pure EV on the market – and we believe our latest model will encourage even more Kiwis to get on board.'

Both versions of the PHEV - the top spec VRX and entry XLS - get a number of upgrades for 2018, including suspension revisions, increased sound deadening and revised steering, as well as a small external facelift that includes a new grille, rear spoiler and alloy wheels.

Mitsubishi recently added DC fast charging capability to the Outlander PHEV (allowing drivers to use public fast chargers to top up the battery to 80 percent in 20 minutes), while also increasing the all-electric range to 54km.