The Outlander PHEV has been a runaway success for Mitsubishi, and recent changes have refreshed the styling, improved cabin quality and retuned the suspension for a sharper drive.

As a tow car, though, the plug-in hybrid Outlander is still a mixed bag. The 1500kg towing limit is very low for a car of this size – in fact it’s some 500kg lighter than any other car in our heaviest weight division. That means a caravan weighted to 85% doesn’t make a legal match.

Even pulling a van weighing just 1500kg, the Outlander’s acceleration is fairly steady, needing 14.4 seconds to pull from 30-60mph. We could live with that performance, but the row from the petrol engine is harder to put up with.

The suspension revisions have made the Outlander less sloppy to drive, but it’s still a long way off the stability and control of the best big 4x4s. At 60mph the Outlander felt fine, but at 70mph it was nervous and uncertain.

In the lane-change the Outlander had to be bullied to complete the first two runs, and the third and fastest attempt had to be abandoned.

The PHEV makes most sense if you are a company car driver. Because of its low emissions the benefit-in-kind tax bill is rock bottom compared with diesel 4x4s with similar price tags. However, when we tested the Mitsubishi as one of the cars shortlisted for this year’s Green Award, it achieved 16.8mpg on a 55-mile test route, even after starting with its batteries fully charged. So don’t expect the official economy figures to be reflected in outstanding fuel-efficiency while towing.

We can see why the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is so popular with business drivers, but if you tow regularly, there are better 4x4s.

(Please note the price quoted includes the £2500 deduction for a government grant.)

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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