LOOK: Is Mitsubishi Bringing Outlander PHEV, Xforce Hybrid Into PH?

The upcoming 2026 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) is closer than ever. Depending on when you’re reading this, it is probably less than a week away. Thus, the participating brands–most of which are brands that are part of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI)–have begun teasing their new vehicle launches or previews. In the case of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, they’ve teased two upcoming new vehicles that will surely bring a lot of interest to the brand’s booth at the upcoming motor show.

Though the Japanese automaker didn’t fully reveal its two models, the teaser showcases two vehicles. The vehicle that’s being shown on top is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, whose current generation model has long been absent in the local lineup. Especially with the Chinese automakers now dominating this space, the timing is right for Mitsubishi to finally offer this model in the Philippine market.

However, considering the aggressive pricing of the Chinese competition, the success of the Outlander PHEV is heavily dependent on its price tag. We’ll find out soon on June 4, but for now, what’s likely to be brought in will already be the facelifted model that was revealed in 2025.

With that, the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gains an updated Dynamic Shield grille, a slightly reworked front bumper, and the main differentiating styling cue–its bright silver 20-inch alloy wheels with machine-cut detailing. Meanwhile, the sides and rear of the vehicle remain largely unchanged. As for the interior, the changes are mostly centered around new interior materials for a more premium feel, while features offered globally include heated and cooled front seats, quilted leather upholstery, a Yamaha sound system, and two large screens.

The main highlight, of course, is its plug-in hybrid system, which, for its mid-cycle facelift, receives a power bump. Thanks to the larger 22.7 kWh battery and the more powerful electric motors, the system output rises from 252 to 297 horsepower, while its pure electric range rises from 45 to 86 kilometers based on WLTP testing.

The Outlander PHEV uses a series-parallel hybrid layout–not too dissimilar from the kind of hybrid systems that Toyota and Honda use. However, Mitsubishi’s take on a transmission here is quite novel. Its transmission operation is similar to Honda’s e:HEV drivetrain, wherein the hybrid system can disconnect from the wheels and simply charge the battery while the vehicle is in motion. This isn’t possible with the Toyota Hybrid System’s (THS) planetary gear-type e-CVT, in which, whenever the engine is running, it is always connected to the wheels. In Mitsubishi’s case, the engine only connects to the wheels when its full 297 system horsepower is needed.

But perhaps the biggest surprise of them all is the brand’s teaser of the new Mitsubishi Xforce HEV, or the hybrid version. Making its debut in Thailand last year, the Xforce HEV’s main highlight is its hybrid drivetrain that’s also shared with the Xpander HEV. Initially, these two models were supposed to be exclusive to Thailand, but with the Xforce HEV potentially being previewed at the 2026 PIMS, the chances of finally having left-hand drive (LHD) production for this electrified crossover are high.

The hybrid system of the Xforce HEV consists of a 1.6-liter MIVEC four-cylinder gasoline engine running on the Atkinson cycle for better thermal and fuel efficiency. This engine in itself produces 95 horsepower and 134 Nm of torque, which is then augmented by an electric motor with the battery located under the seats. As a result, the system output is 116 horsepower and a strong (best-in-class, even) 225 Nm of torque.

Apart from the new, electrified drivetrain, there are subtle changes that help the Mitsubishi Xforce HEV stand out a bit more. The front grille contains an HEV badge, while the vehicle itself has a slightly lower ground clearance of 183 mm. The 18-inch aerodynamic wheels are also new, and so are the snazzy LED taillights with a clear lens. Finally, there’s a smattering of HEV and Hybrid EV badges around the vehicle.

For the longest time, and especially amidst the rise of Chinese competition and their affordable electrified models, Mitsubishi has been lacking any electrified offerings. The need for electrified options became even more apparent when a global energy crisis affected the Philippines. With the potential launch or preview of these two electrified models, Mitsubishi is indeed responding to customer needs as consumer preferences evolve.