The 'Other' SUV thread

[Naki Rat]

I've had a look through Matariki's RV/SUV thread and rather than hijack it hopefully I can lure the SUV/4WD types lurking there to provide some of their wisdom, and entertainment.

One SUV that hasn't had a mention is the Mitsi Outlander. We are considering updating our 12 year old Commodore later this year. I'm not a fan of SUVs but have got a few of CCR's Hiluxes and Navaras into, and out of, some serious backcountry in the past (read 1980-90s).

The reason we are considering an Outlander is the plug-in electric version 'PHEV' due to arrive in NZ later this year with a sub $60K price tag. We have a reasonable sized grid-tied PV set-up and as Meridian have slashed their buy-back prices we are looking for a better return for our generation. We also plan to use the vehicle's 12kWh battery as storage which we can then draw off of to partly run our house useage. That's the plan anyway - the logistics of the set-up are still on the drawing board

And before anybody suggests it the Holden Volt is not even being considered. To expensive ($85K+) and it would have to be trucked to Auckland (from the Naki) for servicing, which doesn't make environmental sense

So what comments on Outlanders? I'm sure there will be some blatantly honest opinions out there. This is KB after all

[Edbear]

TBH I don't know much at all about them but your plans sound interesting. A good chat to your local dealer might be helpful.

[Naki Rat]

TBH I don't know much at all about them but your plans sound interesting. A good chat to your local dealer might be helpful.

It seems that Mitsi NZ has told its dealers less about the Outlander PHEV than can be found on the internet. There is a good forum on them with plenty of US and Dutch input, as that is where the vehicle is first being released. I am more interested for now in how the Outlander stacks up as a 4WD/SUV compared to other SUVs.

[Edbear]

It seems that Mitsi NZ has told its dealers less about the Outlander PHEV than can be found on the internet. There is a good forum on them with plenty of US and Dutch input, as that is where the vehicle is first being released. I am more interested for now in how the Outlander stacks up as a 4WD/SUV compared to other SUVs.

General opinion is that they stack up quite well. Jap import Mitsies don't have a good rep here as they tend to end up on the sides of the motorways too often. An NZ new that has been serviced might be okay. You would be surprised how honest the Service Manager's are in dealerships if you want to pop out the back and chat to him one day.

[Motu]

I've worked at a Mitsi dealer for the last 5 1/2 years...last week this week. In that time we've done hardly anything to them, can't remember a recall or reflash - just a service and out they go again. We did lose an engine on a 2 year old model that had done 140,000km, and 3 oil changes - so hardly a fault of the car. The new one looks a lot better and now has a diesel option, the hybrid is not here yet of course, but sounds like it will be a step of from the likes of the Prius.

If you like ugly vehicles with poor rearward visibility then on Outlander is a good choice. The new model has a reversing mirror, it comes up in the rear view mirror - so you can make sure you get both the neighbours toddlers in one hit.

[Akzle]

The reason we are considering an Outlander is the plug-in electric version 'PHEV' due to arrive in NZ later this year with a sub $60K price tag. We have a reasonable sized grid-tied PV set-up and as Meridian have slashed their buy-back prices we are looking for a better return for our generation. We also plan to use the vehicle's 12kWh battery as storage which we can then draw off of to partly run our house useage. That's the plan anyway - the logistics of the set-up are still on the drawing board

And before anybody suggests it the Holden Volt is not even being considered. To expensive ($85K+) and it would have to be trucked to Auckland (from the Naki) for servicing, which doesn't make environmental sense

So what comments on Outlanders? I'm sure there will be some blatantly honest opinions out there. This is KB after all

good on you. let me solve all your problems:
give me the comodore.

i've always found mitsis to be good wagons,
i don't know shit about electric cars, but i can almost guarantee there will be some electrical black magic that prevents you stealing power from your car, or some system you wil f*ck up if you try.

did i mention, give me the comodore?

[Flip]

I love Landrovers.



This is my truck.

[Naki Rat]

I've worked at a Mitsi dealer for the last 5 1/2 years...last week this week. In that time we've done hardly anything to them, can't remember a recall or reflash - just a service and out they go again. We did lose an engine on a 2 year old model that had done 140,000km, and 3 oil changes - so hardly a fault of the car. The new one looks a lot better and now has a diesel option, the hybrid is not here yet of course, but sounds like it will be a step of from the likes of the Prius.

If you like ugly vehicles with poor rearward visibility then on Outlander is a good choice. The new model has a reversing mirror, it comes up in the rear view mirror - so you can make sure you get both the neighbours toddlers in one hit.

We need a vehicle that can tow our tandem trailer occasionally so something equivalent in weight and power to a 6 cylinder is a must. The likes of a Prius is out.

The most common comment I have heard about electric vehicles is regarding their being virtually silent, particularly at low speeds, so a loud (Stebel 300Hz) horn and a decent backing alarm will be essential.

[Naki Rat]

good on you. let me solve all your problems:
give me the comodore.

i've always found mitsis to be good wagons,
i don't know shit about electric cars, but i can almost guarantee there will be some electrical black magic that prevents you stealing power from your car, or some system you wil f*ck up if you try.

did i mention, give me the comodore?

Yeah I agree.

FYI the Outlander PHEV released in Japan has a couple of 1500W outlets in the vehicle to power whatever appliances you choose to take camping so hooking direct into the battery is no biggy.

[huff3r]

I love Landrovers.



This is my truck.

3.5 V8?

I love my Range Rover also. But only cos I couldn't afford a 109 or 110.

[scissorhands]

'Ecomodder' members may be up to speed with the Outlander, or other boffin sites specialising in electric/hybrid vehicles. Cleanmpg is another, I think

I can generally achieve at least 50% better economy just by a few mods and hypermiling techniques ie vehicles returning 6l/100km I can usually get down to 4l/100km

Some ecomodders are improving toyota prius from 4.4l/100km down to around 2l/100km, but noone should drive that slow and they are also modified to be plug in

[Naki Rat]

I don't think economy will be an issue, especially as we are generating our own electricity so will use the battery powered driving option for most day to day driving.

This review is a bit 'stationary' but states some interesting spec's though a few of the electronic gismos won't be in the NZ model I suspect. 150mpg (1.8 litres/100km) in hybrid mode, or totally electric in 'Eco' mode. Factory claimed spec's here.

[scissorhands]

I struggled to see how a prius gets 4.4l/100km and the outlander gets 1.8 in hybrid mode?

The specs you linked to actually state the hybrid economy of the outlander to be 18.6 km/l or 43.7 mpg, being 24% higher than the prius at the comparative value of approx 5.4l/100km. Which makes sense

[Naki Rat]

I struggled to see how a prius gets 4.4l/100km and the outlander gets 1.8 in hybrid mode?

The specs you linked to actually state the hybrid economy of the outlander to be 18.6 km/l or 43.7 mpg, being 24% higher than the prius at the comparative value of approx 5.4l/100km. Which makes sense

The difference is that a Prius or similar generates all of its battery charge from the internal combustion engine (ICE) either directly or by regenerative breaking. The Outlander PHEV however uses the ICE as a back-up to the power required from the battery when extra power to the wheels is needed or when the battery charge level fails.

The term hybrid is a little ambiguous for a PHEV as two out of the three driving modes are variations of this. From Stuff:

It will be able to be operated in any of three modes.

One mode will be as an all-electric vehicle, with the front and rear electric motors driving the Outlander using battery power only. The second mode will be as a series hybrid, with the petrol engine working as a generator to supply electricity to the motors. The third mode will be as a parallel hybrid, where the petrol engine will provide most of the motive power and will be assisted by the electric motors as required.

The "parallel hybrid" mode will be the least fuel (petrol) efficient, and the most comparable to a Prius's efficiency.

[Edbear]

The difference is that a Prius or similar generates all of its battery charge from the internal combustion engine (ICE) either directly or by regenerative breaking. The Outlander PHEV however uses the ICE as a back-up to the power required from the battery when extra power to the wheels is needed or when the battery charge level fails.

The term hybrid is a little ambiguous for a PHEV as two out of the three driving modes are variations of this. From Stuff:


The "parallel hybrid" mode will be the least fuel (petrol) efficient, and the most comparable to a Prius's efficiency.

Up until now, the only hybrid I like is the Honda Insight, the best small car on the market regardless at present IMHO. I have driven a couple of them several times and am always impressed with how they drive and the room inside.

The Outlander does interest me, but it is going to have to be a very good price, not necessarily the cheapest but it has to stack up in per kilometer running costs.