Should I swap my petrol car for a plug-in hybrid?
I am very pleased with my three-year-old Subaru XV auto. I have no reason to change it, except that I am considering swapping to a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for sake of good ecological practice. Perhaps a straight swap for either 2015 or 2016 used Outlander. Do the same principals apply regarding timing belt changes (perhaps chain driven)? What are things to look out for with the Outlander?
Asked on 21 November 2018 by John Fowler
Answered by
Andrew Brady
If you're happy with your XV, I wouldn't be too quick to swap it for an Outlander PHEV unless you wanted more space. The Outlander's not a bad car, but it's thirsty unless you can charge the PHEV battery regularly. You'll be looking at a real-life electric range of around 20=miles and, once the battery's empty, it's essentially a very heavy petrol SUV.
If most of your journeys are less than 20-miles and you can charge it at home, it might work for you. To answer your questions, it has a timing chain rather than a belt. Like your Subaru, the Outlander is a fairly reliable SUV, although ask the seller if you can get a battery condition report from a Mitsubishi dealer. If it's never been charged (or has been charged regularly using faster chargers), it might be hiding issues.
If most of your journeys are less than 20-miles and you can charge it at home, it might work for you. To answer your questions, it has a timing chain rather than a belt. Like your Subaru, the Outlander is a fairly reliable SUV, although ask the seller if you can get a battery condition report from a Mitsubishi dealer. If it's never been charged (or has been charged regularly using faster chargers), it might be hiding issues.
If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.
Is an electric car right for me?Similar questions
I want to buy an Audi Q5 petrol. We live in a rural area an do under 8000 miles a year. What would the advantage be to buy a hybrid?
We have a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV that's done 98,000 miles. Our local Mitsubishi dealer has confirmed that the drive battery is below 70% and we've just heard that they will replace it under warranty....
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Subaru crossover similar to the Nissan Qashqai. Powered by new generation Boxer diesel engine.
Cheap to run if you can charge at home and don’t do many miles. Masses of space. Significantly improved for 2019.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
