Mitsubishi Outlander test drive: What’s it like behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid electric car on SA roads?

Ever wondered what it would be like driving a EV hybrid car on SA’s less-than-perfect regional roads? We took one for a spin to see how long the charge lasts.

The first thing you notice is how quiet the car is when driving. The purrs of the motor are so gentle, you find yourself wondering if the car is actually on.

We have been all over the state in the past fortnight, highlighting various issues and stories for The Advertiser’s Building a Bigger, Better South Australia campaign.

Last week, photographer Ben and I took a new, navy Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire plug-in hybrid EV on the road to the Riverland, via the Mid North region.

Doug, who we picked up the car from, was effusive about its EV capabilities.

It has an electric range of 84km and has different modes, one of which is being able to charge the car’s battery by simply braking – perfect for city driving. As it’s a hybrid model, it swaps to petrol when the battery is flat.

“If you live in Prospect or Pooraka and work in the city, you will not use a drop of petrol,” Doug said.

Advertiser reporter Andrew Hough with the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire at Lake Bonney. Picture: Ben Clark

The open roads were incredibly smooth to drive. When we had to divert on to gravel roads, a simple switch meant the car’s mode adapted to the conditions.

The internal technology, like most new cars, was overwhelming at first.

As a driver of a car that is a few years old, the novelty of having the speedometer beamed on to the driver’s window, for example, was excellent.

The phone technology was annoying at times, while the bonnet came loose for an unknown reason at the end – the button is located by the driver’s right foot.

But while EVs may be the future, the supporting infrastructure is not quite keeping pace.

Our accommodation didn’t have any EV chargers, after the owners declined, and charging stations were rare. But that will change when the RAA installs dozens across the state.
We found an NRMA station at Tanunda, in the Barossa Valley.

Maybe it was due to our inexperience – or exhaustion – but the infrastructure didn’t work.

In the end we went through a tank of petrol, understandable with the country driving, but the Outlander PHEV's overall fuel economy is much better than a standard petrol engine.

Why is it not working? Pondering a malfunctioning NRMA EV car charger in Tanunda. Picture: Ben Clark

But the experienced doesn’t come cheap to an average family. The latest model of the Outlander Aspire PHEV will set you back $61,990 before on-road costs.

However, that remains at the cheaper end of the scale for PHEVs of the Outlander’s size.

Overall, it was a pleasure to drive.

Originally published as Mitsubishi Outlander test drive: What’s it like behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid electric car on SA roads?