2020 Mitsubishi Outlander vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

Sure, in 2019 the world is abuzz with the talk of hybrids and EVs, what with eco-friendly motoring suddenly bang-on trend.

But Mitsubishi can genuinely claim to have been surfing that green wave way back before it was cool, with the Outlander PHEV, the brand's plug-in hybrid SUV, first launching in Australia in 2014.

It’s just been updated for the 2020 model year with a bigger engine and a bigger battery, and there’s better interior tech, too. And because it’s a plug-in hybrid, Mitsubishi says its Outlander is a perfect tasting dish for those considering a shift to an EV, but who perhaps aren't ready to make the full leap.

So let’s go find out if they’re right.

It’s exciting news that Subaru has released a hybrid version of its popular mid-size SUV, the Forester. With such a solid foundation, adding a hybrid option can only be a step forward, with the main benefits being fuel savings and lower carbon emissions.

Not all hybrids are created equal however, so it’s best to assess each car to make sure it matches your expectations. 

The Forester Hybrid S costs around $3000 more than a regular Forester, and this is the top-of-the-range car, so it comes in at $45,990, before on road costs.

It’s in a category with the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V but if you’re comparing hybrids, you’ll be looking closely at the Toyota RAV4, too. 

Here’s how it performed over seven days for this week’s family review.