cent takes 38 minutes if plugged into a compatible station. In addition, a nifty vehicle-to-load function allows occupants to connect electronic devices to one of two 120-volt AC outlets powered by the vehicle’s on-board 1,500-watt inverter. For example: recrea- tional equipment or the LED lights and coffee maker used during our overnight excursion. The powertrain is comprised of a 2.4-litre Atkinson- cycle four-cylinder engine, complemented by a pair of electric motors and a generator, creating 248 horse- power, 332 lb-ft of torque and all-wheel drive. When everything is working in concert, fuel consumption is rated at a thrifty 3.6 Le/100 km in mixed city and highway operation. The vehicle truly shines while venturing off the beaten path. The company’s lauded Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system distributes torque to each corner as needed providing optimal traction, demonstrated im- pressively when we took the SUV on rough trails and through thick underbrush in neighbouring Fayetteville. New on the model is rear Active Yaw Control, pre- viously only offered up front, which can individually brake the left or right wheel improving cornering abil- ity. The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is sold in five main trims and starts at $46,538.
DRIVE Picking the right vehicle capable of easily maneu- vering through the city and backcountry, carrying a full load of people and gear, and reducing pain at the pump isn’t always easy. Fortunately, the reimagined 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ticks all the boxes. This second-generation flagship boasts the brand’s latest Dynamic Shield styling language, characterized by ultra-slim LED daytime running lights and signa- ture chrome “X”-shaped elements on the front fascia. A slightly larger footprint equals extra interior space, and due to a repackaged higher-capacity battery de- signers managed to fit a stowable third row in the back to accommodate smaller passengers. Speaking of the battery, its upgraded 20 kilowatt-hour rating yields 61 kilometres of emissions-free mo- toring, or together with the larger 56-litre fuel tank gives the compact-size crossover a total travel range of an impressive 687 kilometres (Fun fact: the latter is exactly the distance between Nashville, Tennessee and Momence, Illinois). A nice bonus is DC fast-charger support, not usually seen in the segment, meaning topping up to 80 per
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