We just started shopping to replace an '18 Rav4 we sold to Shift during the pandemic. Wanted to go hybrid or ideally, plug-in. But the Rav4 Prime seems to be 5-10% above MSRP now.
As I look beyond Toyota, are there any underappreciated hybrid or PHEV SUVs out there, especially that aren’t going for crazy prices now?
Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Also I’ve seen some okay Toyota Venza hybrids.
Maybe check out the mitsubishi outlander PHEV? not the best car but i’d imagine it’ll be one of the cheaper SUV PHEVs that come with a carpool sticker
Yes: the Mitsubishi Outlander
Seriously, all the non-lux, SUV PHEVs that are on the market were new model intros just prior to covid and the shortages: Rav4, CRV, Escape, etc.
The only carryover really was the Outlander. If it doesn’t have to be an SUV but a PHEV, there are still homeless Fusion Energis.
Decent car, can’t beat the value. I got one back in 2018, 0 DAS (after state rebate, 275/mo for 36/10k). My SEL trim has leather seats, power life gate, backup camera, etc). Not top of the line but not entry level either. Downside is the EV only range is in the low 20’s, the gas engine is quite loud, and the infotainment UI sucks. Oh, and the parking sensors are trash - please don’t get them… I just wanted to rip them out but multiple dealerships couldn’t figure out how to do that. Trunk is large, solid car build.
I think I recently saw some similar lease deals but not certain, take a look at old forum posts. But it is a shame that the 2022 redesign doesn’t carry over to the PHEV.
Incidentally I’m close to running out of miles so I’m looking to get rid of mine in the next month with 10 months left. Carmax offered me 20k, and my residual is 18k, so I might be able to get out of my lease with almost no penalty!
Your post in incredibly helpful. I wanted to get a sense of what Carmax is offering on these.
By the way, is anyone concerned about Mitsubishi scaling back on their US operations and handing over to Nissan?
Thanks all! Will drive an Outlander. Venza is a great Rav4 alt as well.
Great, I’m glad it was helpful!
In talking to the mitsubishi dealership, they said that the PHEV is coming, but maybe 2023 or 2024. It sounds like they spent all their time on making that third row standard for the new outlander. They couldn’t figure how to fit battery pack in the new design. Given how well the car sells worldwide, I would be surprised if they didn’t come out with a redesigned PHEV version. Not sure how well it’s selling in the US though, I haven’t seen as many as i expected.
In regards to sharing a platform with Nissan, my guess is that it just helps speed up new development. With the new bold design, I think mitsubishi is making a statement that they’re here to stay. I don’t think they’re sceding to Nissan in general given the 2022 outlander. But the fact that they did not release the PHEV version simultaneously does make me questioning their commitment to plug in hybrids.
I actually tried to look and see if I could fine any current lease deals on the outlander and couldn’t… Probably hit by the same shortages as everyone else.
If anyone know of any current lease deals on compact SUVs, please share! The best ones I’ve found so far are for the Kia Soul and Sorrento. They are under 200/mo with 3k ish down. Ok deals, but not smoking 
Chevy Trax?
Hehe thx ya I just saw that too. Its smaller but definitely a possibility
The Rogue and Outlander share the same engine and transmission. PHEVs are coming for both I’ve read, but not this year. The AWD systems and suspensions are apparently different, but sharing the engine seems like it will make it easier to get service, especially since all but one of the Mitsubishi dealerships around here have closed down.
Do note that due to Mitsubishi’s head start with PHEV tech, they’re actually in charge of developing PHEV across the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. There’s definitely a PHEV version coming, but even the gas model is really supply constrained right now.
The current Outlander has had 3-row and PHEV versions for a long time now, I’m pretty sure they were intending for either option from the get-go with the current gen, but just prioritized the gas version for now. Note that the PHEV did get a major powertrain enhancement for 2021, so they’ll likely ride that out until the redesigned 2023 launches.
Makes sense. Anyone have a good sense of Mitsubishi PHEV reliability beyond 3 year period?
Mitsubishi and reliability don’t belong in the same sentence.
Now Max
Just because they didn’t rank some CR top 27 reliability list…
Here is Consumer Reports’ ranking of the major automotive brands, according to their average reliability score:
The Mitsu’s of old rarely broke, but they did have that 10/100 warranty so who cares?
I mean they weren’t in the worst list either right…so where are they? Or does CR just not care for them?
Wasn’t the 10/100 brought in because they were caught using used parts?
Kia Niro PHEV? it’s a smaller “SUV” but can be had for cheap on a lease deal.
Lease support for that model has been rather poor.
The CR list requires a brand to actually sell cars to show up on it