2.0 4hs Auto 5dr

Happy I got it. Very versatile, reliable and economical family car (overall!)

My wife and I had two diesel cars a 2008 Ford Focus 1.6D and 2011 Ford S-Max 2.0D.
*PC* (Pre-Covid), I used to use the Focus for my daily commute 80mile round-trips and it's average mpg was 55mpg. The S-Max was thirstier and it averaged 42mpg - it was the town runabout and did the long trips / holiday runs.
We replaced both cars as they both had high mileage.The car supermarket we bought from offered us a good deal on two replacement cars one being a Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 PHEV 4hs (mid level trim with heated leather seats).
I wanted to try a full electric (like a used Zoe or Leaf) but I had "range anxiety" and needed a big car to replace the S-Max so plumped for a compromise i.e. the Plug-In Hybrid Outlander and I have absolutely no regrets.
*PC* I actually decided to use the Outlander as the commuter car (as mentioned 80 mile round trip, consisting of urban and motorway with steep hill climbs / descents ..so a very good real world test for this car to check its credentials!)
So I suppose I have a slight advantage in that the house I bought a few years ago came with came with solar panels and this allowed me to charge the Outlander for free on sunny days. Cheap rate economy 7 night rate also used. Charging is easy / no issues but i had to buy a separate Type-2 for public PodPoints etc. I signed up to [BP]Polar plus to charge the car cheaply at work as well (again easy Type-2). During commutes to work the Outlander got through *most* of its stored charge by the time I got up the steep hill climb section (15 miles from home on cold winter days with lights and some heating on). On the motorway I used the "Save" feature and drove with ICE until I got off the motorway and switched back to EV/Eco. Return journeys were similar except the steep hill descents were great for regenerative charging!! I used full "B5" mode and my game was to maximise regen by trying not use the brakes on descents and approaching junctions! Anyway..long story short..overall I was very impressed.. this big car would return 60 to 65+ mpg on these 80 mile commutes (way more than my previous diesels!!!!)
As per other types of journeys: The thirstiest was when I picked up my eldest daughter from uni with the ENTIRE contents from her digs stuffed in the car for the first time in March 2020 (due to COVID-19 lockdown). The mpg got down to 30 ish mpg. by the time got back after 200-mile round trip. I couldn't believe the space in the Outlander was big enough but it was fantastic... I had my daughter home and all her stuff !! :-) This car is always very comfortable for my family of 5 (adults and big teenagers) on long runs Yes it naturally eats into the mpg on these occasions but I figured overall this car has been great on cost (oh btw, "fast-charging" with Ecotricity at motorway service stations and at Park& Rides has been always easy too. I have done this several times last year)
Since COVID I work from home, no long commute any more. I charge at home or PodPoint hardly ever topping up for petrol and then only £10 at time. It has made me think that my next cars will be fully electric. This Plug-In is a great "step-up" car into the full EV world. Occasional long trips happen but I am doing mainly short journeys now and because it is all EV I am getting insanely high mpg!! I laughed when I saw 850+ mpg on a recent Fish & Chips run.
DVLA road tax annual demand it was for the princely sum of £0 !!
(OK so you must get a pre-2017 used car to qualify but hey it will do for me for a good while! )
I really LOVE THIS CAR. The local dealer in Bristol too is great. This year was the first time I had to do a service triggered by "time passed" (i.e. a full 12 months) rather than mileage... but hey that must be the same for lots of people due to COVID lockdowns. If you can get a good deal, get one.
Bad point: no sunglasses holder like the s-max! But plenty of cubby space so no biggie.

Report as offensive