Honda CRV vs Mitsubishi PHEV
Discussion
for about £14k these two 'family friendly' SUV's are tempting at the 2013/14 vintage. Without ever having lived with one the practicalities are a bit of guess work but they look sensible.
The Honda CRV has a better track record on reliability but the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV looks good and has ZERO tax. The Honda's around £250pa. For a car that will be kept for say 4 years that's money that is worth considering but not deal clinching.
I am leaning towards the Mitsubishi but have a couple of nagging doubts. A) longevity of battery/general reliability and B) if the battery is not charged (or even has a fault) does the car simply drive on the petrol supply without causing any long term damage.
These cars may be a bit less rugged than I am used to but as a motorway cruiser with a boot full of kit and a weekend family vehicle they should be ok
Owners/Users experience would be appreciated.
The Honda CRV has a better track record on reliability but the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV looks good and has ZERO tax. The Honda's around £250pa. For a car that will be kept for say 4 years that's money that is worth considering but not deal clinching.
I am leaning towards the Mitsubishi but have a couple of nagging doubts. A) longevity of battery/general reliability and B) if the battery is not charged (or even has a fault) does the car simply drive on the petrol supply without causing any long term damage.
These cars may be a bit less rugged than I am used to but as a motorway cruiser with a boot full of kit and a weekend family vehicle they should be ok
Owners/Users experience would be appreciated.
I've had a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as an experiment for 9 months and 11,000 miles. I charge it at home and at my gym and feel quite smug driving it (although I don't love it like my other car). I use it only for local trips and also 120 mile round trips into Central London (free Congestion Charge and peanuts to park in Westminster). It's not a car for long journeys, but with this use pattern it averaged about 65 mpg in the summer. That has decreased to 50 mpg now the temperature has dropped, as the petrol engine intervenes more at lower temperatures.
Once the initial charge runs down in c.15 miles I only get 30-35 mpg (although I change my driving style when in it, I still don't hang about). The CVT transmission takes some getting used to, the ergonomics are poor, various design features are idiotic and the Satnav's terrible. It's not a rocket ship but will bowl along OK.
It's the facelift 2015 onwards model (essential - the earlier ones have a terrible ride) and I bought it very well at 18 months old; I reckon when I sell it in April next year depreciation will have been almost zero. Nothing has gone wrong so far but build quality is mediocre. I count the experiment a success and when it goes I will be getting another PHEV, but rather more upmarket. Hope this is helpful.
Once the initial charge runs down in c.15 miles I only get 30-35 mpg (although I change my driving style when in it, I still don't hang about). The CVT transmission takes some getting used to, the ergonomics are poor, various design features are idiotic and the Satnav's terrible. It's not a rocket ship but will bowl along OK.
It's the facelift 2015 onwards model (essential - the earlier ones have a terrible ride) and I bought it very well at 18 months old; I reckon when I sell it in April next year depreciation will have been almost zero. Nothing has gone wrong so far but build quality is mediocre. I count the experiment a success and when it goes I will be getting another PHEV, but rather more upmarket. Hope this is helpful.
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