Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs Volkswagen Touareg

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-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 and Dynamic Sound Yamaha audio — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Touareg. 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 Volkswagen Touareg offers leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2-zone in the Volkswagen Touareg.

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 Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the clear power advantage at 185kW vs 170kW. 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, 169mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 472L in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 338L advantage.

For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 1,900kg 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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 11.2 m against 12.0 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 Volkswagen Touareg about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $399 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 170kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,767 a year against $2,166).

The Volkswagen Touareg: the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 472L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,600kg).

The Verdict

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores higher, 69 vs 68

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scores 69 to the Volkswagen Touareg's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 24 points), safety (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ahead by 21 points), performance (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 21 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV costs about $399 less (6.2 L/100km as a hybrid against 7.6 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 472L in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg.

Common questions