Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 5 stars (2025) and the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 83% for the Subaru Forester, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Dynamic Sound Yamaha audio — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets leather appointed upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.

Drivetrain

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses a 4B12 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder MPI VVT producing 185kW and 195Nm of torque, sent through a single speed transaxle to a AWD layout.

The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the clear power advantage at 185kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV measures 4,720mm long on a 2,704mm wheelbase, 65mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 472L in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 24L advantage.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV costs about $1,767 a year (6.2 L/100km as a hybrid) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $485 a year less for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.

Where each one leads

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: more power (185kW against 136kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,767 a year against $2,252).

The Subaru Forester: the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 472L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,600kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 69

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's 69 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: value (Subaru Forester ahead by 23 points), reliability (Subaru Forester ahead by 16 points), fuel economy (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ahead by 15 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV costs about $485 less (6.2 L/100km as a hybrid against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions