Mitsubishi Outlander vs Toyota RAV4: plug-in SUVs
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Mitsubishi · 2021–present
Outlander GN
- Power
- 188 kW256 PS
- Kerb mass
- 2,179 kg
Toyota · 2025–present
RAV4 XA60
- Power
- 224 kW305 PS
- Kerb mass
- —
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Outlander GN 0 RAV4 XA60 1
- City RAV4 XA60 Length: 4,600 mm vs 4,709 mm
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The RAV4 is the stronger plug-in hybrid on paper. It has up to 239 kW, a 22.7 kWh battery, up to 100 km of WLTP electric range and 50 kW fast charging, all clear gains over the Outlander's 188 kW, 20 kWh and 87 km.
The Outlander remains the choice for larger families. It is offered with seven seats, and its two electric motors give all-wheel drive as standard. The car has also been on sale since 2021, while the new RAV4 is only reaching European customers in 2026.
— Sarah Whitmore
Mitsubishi made the plug-in hybrid SUV a mainstream product with the first Outlander PHEV, and Toyota's RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid became its strongest rival. The fourth-generation Outlander debuted on 16 February 2021 as the first Mitsubishi on the Renault–Nissan CMF-CD platform, shared with the Nissan X-Trail T33. Its plug-in version reached some European countries in early 2025. Toyota revealed the sixth-generation RAV4 (XA60) on 20–21 May 2025, on an updated GA-K platform, with European deliveries in the first half of 2026.
In short: the RAV4 has more power, a bigger battery, a longer electric range and faster DC charging. The Outlander answers with seven seats and twin-motor all-wheel drive as standard in the PHEV. Both are in our catalogue: Mitsubishi Outlander GN and Toyota RAV4.
Outlander PHEV vs RAV4 Plug-in: power, range and seats
Plug-in powertrains
The Outlander PHEV uses a 2.4-litre 4B12 petrol engine of 99 kW, an 87 kW front motor and a 101 kW rear motor. Together they produce 188 kW (252 hp) and 450 Nm. The new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has a 2.5-litre engine; in Europe it is rated at 197 kW (268 PS) with front-wheel drive and 221–239 kW (300–325 PS) with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 GR Sport, offered only as a plug-in, reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
Battery, electric range and charging
The Outlander has a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric-only range of 87 km. The RAV4 uses a 22.7 kWh battery; the GR Sport is rated at 100 km of WLTP electric range. The RAV4 charges at 11 kW on AC and, depending on the grade, at up to 50 kW on a CCS fast charger, roughly 30 minutes from 10 to 80%. The Outlander PHEV is listed with 22 kW DC charging.
- Outlander PHEV: 188 kW, 450 Nm, 20 kWh, 87 km electric
- RAV4 Plug-in FWD: 197 kW (268 PS)
- RAV4 Plug-in AWD: 221–239 kW, 22.7 kWh
- RAV4 GR Sport: 100 km WLTP electric, 0–100 km/h in 5.8 s
The previous RAV4 plug-in
Many used buyers will compare the Outlander with the fifth-generation RAV4 (XA50). Its plug-in version had 225 kW combined, up to 306 PS in Europe after a 2021 update, an 18.1 kWh battery, a claimed 75 km of electric range and 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h.
Seats and weight
The Outlander PHEV is offered as a seven-seater, keeping the layout of its predecessor. The new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid weighs 1,980–1,990 kg, against 1,710–1,720 kg for the regular RAV4 hybrid.
Other versions
Outside the plug-ins, the Outlander is sold in some markets with a 2.5-litre PR25DD petrol engine of 135 kW and 245 Nm and a 1.5-litre turbo mild hybrid with 280 Nm. The RAV4 range in Europe is built around self-charging hybrids; our catalogue lists 135 kW for the front-wheel-drive and 140 kW for the all-wheel-drive version.
Safety
ANCAP, whose tests are aligned with Euro NCAP, gave the Outlander five stars in 2022 with 83% for adult occupants, 92% for children, 81% for vulnerable road users and 83% for safety assist.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Outlander GN | RAV4 XA60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,709 mm185.4 in † | 4,600 mm181.1 in † −109 mm −4.3 in −2.3% |
| Width | 1,897 mm74.7 in † | 1,880 mm74.0 in † −17 mm −0.7 in −0.9% |
| Height | 1,745 mm68.7 in † | 1,680 mm66.1 in † −65 mm −2.6 in −3.7% |
| Wheelbase | 2,705 mm106.5 in † | 2,690 mm105.9 in † −15 mm −0.6 in −0.6% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Tight |
Difference vs Outlander GN (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Mitsubishi Outlander | Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Outlander GN · 2.4 PHEV · plug-in hybrid · 188 kW (256 PS) | RAV4 XA60 · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid AWD · 224 kW (305 PS) |
| Production years | 2021–present | 2025–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 188 kW (256 PS) 252 hp | 224 kW (305 PS) 300 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 60–225 kW (82–306 PS) 80–302 hp | 91–225 kW (124–306 PS) 122–302 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 450 Nm 332 lb-ft | No data |
| Power per tonne | 86 kW/t 105 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Plug-in hybrid | Plug-in hybrid |
| Engine | 2,360 cc · 4 cyl 2.4 l | 4 cyl |
| Engine code | 4B12 | No data |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm 185.4 in † | 4,600 mm 181.1 in † |
| Width | 1,897 mm 74.7 in † | 1,880 mm 74.0 in † |
| Height | 1,745 mm 68.7 in † | 1,680 mm 66.1 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,705 mm 106.5 in † | 2,690 mm 105.9 in † |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,179 kg 4,804 lb | No data |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | No data | 514 l 18.2 cu ft † |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 0.8 l/100 km 294.0 mpg US | No data |
| CO₂ | 19 g/km | No data |
| Fuel cost per year | €210/year estimated | No data |
| Electric | ||
| Battery Why it matters: A bigger battery usually gives more range, but takes longer to charge fully. | 20 kWh | No data |
| Electric range Why it matters: A longer range means fewer charging stops on long journeys. | 87 km 54 mi | No data |
| Energy use | 23.4 kWh/100 km | No data |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Body, Class, Country, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Toyota RAV4 has more power: 224 kW (305 PS) against 188 kW (256 PS) for Mitsubishi Outlander. Mitsubishi Outlander is 109 mm longer than Toyota RAV4 (4,709 mm vs 4,600 mm). Toyota RAV4 is the older design (from 1994); Mitsubishi Outlander arrived in 2001. On the catalog figures, the Toyota RAV4 is the pick for city. Our catalog has no kerb mass for the Toyota RAV4 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if you need seven seats in a plug-in hybrid or want standard twin-motor all-wheel drive.
Choose the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid if you want the longest electric range, the most power and faster DC charging.
The Outlander also meets the Kia Sportage in Kia Sportage vs Mitsubishi Outlander, and the RAV4 the Honda CR-V in Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the longer electric range?
The new RAV4: the GR Sport plug-in is rated at 100 km (WLTP). The Outlander PHEV's electric-only range is 87 km with its 20 kWh battery.
Does the Outlander PHEV have seven seats?
Yes. The fourth-generation Outlander PHEV is offered with seven seats, the same layout as its predecessor.
Which is more powerful?
The RAV4. Its European plug-in hybrid has 197 kW (268 PS) with front-wheel drive and 221–239 kW with all-wheel drive. The Outlander PHEV has 188 kW (252 hp) and 450 Nm.
Do they share anything with Nissan?
The Outlander does: it uses the CMF-CD platform of the Nissan X-Trail (T33) and Rogue. The RAV4 uses Toyota's own GA-K platform.
When did the new RAV4 reach Europe?
Production of the sixth-generation RAV4 began in late 2025, with deliveries in Europe in the first half of 2026.