Toyota BZ4X vs Mitsubishi Outlander

What's the difference?

When the bZ4X first launched it was already late to the game and blended into the background too much. However, this update has dramatically improved its appeal.

Despite this, the electric mid-size SUV segment is incredibly fierce and it’s hard to not get caught up in glitzier rivals like the BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the Australian public reacts to this update and if it draws in more punters.

Mitsubishi has leaned into its strengths with this Outlander update, spending its money in subtle areas to upgrade what was already a widely appealing mid-size SUV.

The local tuning has made a notable difference to the refinement and comfort of this version, while subtle updates to the software and interior trim help to refine things even further.

If you’ve had an Outlander before, you’ll love this one, although it doesn’t help the brand to challenge new players on the value front. This leaves you with the decision of whether to pick a brand with the reputation and network of Mitsubishi, or roll the dice on a far more affordable new player.

For what it’s worth, it’s genuinely tough to pick a sweet spot here. I think the best picks are at either end of the spectrum, with the ES being outstanding value, and the Exceed being particularly plush.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

The exterior design of the bZ4X never really blew me away. It’s just sensible and not too out there. In saying that though, being sensible is no bad thing and can be seen as a positive for some buyers.

This facelift has brought Toyota’s new corporate look, including the hammerhead shark-like LED lighting signature. It already features on models like the C-HR, Camry and RAV4. In fact this update has made the bZ4X look more like an electric RAV4 than ever before.

I like the C-shaped daytime running lights but I’m not a fan of how the main headlight section is now separate. I prefer how they looked before.

The black wheel arch cladding is now also glossy and not matte. Sure, this looks great right now, but it likely won’t be long until it unfortunately gets scratched.

Inside, if you covered up the Toyota badge you could likely fool me into thinking this is a Lexus. The new 14.0-inch touchscreen is virtually identical to the one in models like the Lexus NX, RX and GX.

There are also plenty of premium-feeling soft-touch materials around the cabin. I’m not a huge fan of the grey and white two-tone interior, at least from a family-friendly standpoint, but thankfully you can get an all-black interior instead.

Another major design change with the interior is the new centre console. It now features two wireless chargers and a revised button layout. I particularly like it because it’s no longer covered in glossy piano black.

Blink and you’ll miss the changes. Actually, squint and you still might miss them. Aside from the eye-catching new 20-inch wheels on the Exceed and Exceed tourer grades and the new ‘Moonstone Grey’ paint colour, it’s hard to tell the new Outlander apart from its predecessor.

Look closer and there’s new lower garnish designs front and rear, a tweaked grille and a smoked appearance for the rear tail-light clusters.

It’s very subtle stuff, but Mitsubishi has chosen to spend its time and money on upgrades on unseen areas.

For example, the bonnet is now steel rather than aluminium, which helps with noise insulation (and also has the side-effect of removing the high-speed ‘fluttering’ effect the aluminium bonnet had on the previous version), there’s additional sound insulation throughout the car, and cladding in the transmission tunnel to make the cabin a quieter place.

Back on the topic of appearance, though, the dash and console has also been tweaked a little. For example, the new screen looks a bit more contemporary, with a much smaller bezel and more attractive software. The console has been rearranged to move the bottle holders to one side of the electronic gear shifter, which makes for a larger centre console.

High-grade leather seat trims also now have alternate patterns, but the range follows the same trims, from cloth on the ES and LS, while the Aspire gets a microsuede and synthetic leather blend, while the Exceed and Exceed Tourer get the ‘high-grade semi-aniline’ leather trim.

The front seats in the bZ4X are deliciously comfortable and supportive. They make long trips a breeze, plus the ventilation that’s standard on the AWD trim works well in the heat.

Despite this, I’m still not a huge fan of the driving position. You need to look over the steering wheel in order to view the almost windscreen-mounted digital instrument cluster. It’s a similar set-up to what Peugeot employs and is intended to reduce the amount you need to stray your eyes from the road.

I appreciate this but it just doesn’t work for everyone. Personally I need to jack the seat up more than I’d like in order to see the screen fully. When I do this my knees get in the way of the steering wheel no matter how I position it, which isn’t ideal.

The set-up in the related Solterra is a little better as it has a squared-off steering wheel instead of a traditional round steering wheel.

Going back to the digital instrument cluster, the content display on this is still rather limited. Thankfully, critical information like your current speed is displayed clearly, but having added customisation through more informative displays to toggle through or more themes would be a nice extra touch.

Moving across the larger touchscreen multimedia system is a welcome addition, but I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the old one. The user interface is still basic in a good way, meaning it’s hard to get lost.

A difference is the climate control features are now fully integrated into the touchscreen, save two physical dials that change the dual-zone climate control temperature.

While this means you need to press on the touchscreen to change certain climate control-related features now, a lot of these in the pre-update were touch-sensitive buttons on a panel under the touchscreen. Really, it makes no difference.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still standard and work flawlessly with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. There are now also two wireless chargers, which is great if you want to charge your phone and your passenger’s phone.

However, they don’t work properly as they don’t offer any ventilation. They regularly make my phone overheat and stop charging, even on shorter trips. If you want to reliably top your phone’s battery up, it’s best to just plug into a USB port with a cable.

Looking elsewhere around the cabin, there is an adequate amount of storage, though some more would be nice. There are two decently sized cupholders, a small shelf under the centre console and a side-hinging centre console box. Like the pre-update version, there is still no proper glove box.

In the second row there’s plenty of legroom available for adults behind adults, though due to the placement of the high-voltage battery this leaves you with a knees-up feeling. This is common in a number of EVs, even some that are based on dedicated electric architectures, like the bZ4X.

Headroom also isn’t fantastic as the roof starts to taper back where your head is located. You wouldn’t want to be much taller than 180-odd centimetres back there. It’s also made worse when you recline the seat backrest.

Second-row amenities include air vents, heated outboard rear seats, USB-C ports, seatback map pockets, as well as a fold-down armrest with some cupholders and a tablet holder.

At the back there is a hands-free power tailgate which is rather slow to open and close and makes plenty of beeping while doing so. It's a classic Toyota on this front.

The bZ4X AWD offers 410L of boot space with the rear seats upright which is slightly less than the 2WD due to the added rear electric motor.

It’s a decent space but doesn’t stand out from the crowd. There’s some extra underfloor storage which is large enough to fit some cables and that’s about it. Unfortunately there’s no front boot.

Boot-related amenities include a cargo blind, a variety of hooks, as well as vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability using 220V/1500W AC inverter and a single household power socket. The latter allows you to power household appliances using the vehicle’s high-voltage battery.

Disappointingly there is no spare wheel, but this isn’t uncommon for EVs. You have to make do with a tyre repair kit, which is fine if you have a small air leak but pointless if you have a proper puncture.

The previous Outlander was already known for having a spacious and versatile cabin, and this continues for the new car with a few small tweaks.

The width and satisfying seat positioning continue, and seats in all grades are generous and comfortable, but particularly the leather seats on the Exceed and Exceed Tourer grade we tested.

Adjustability is good in all positions, and the digital instrument cluster has an attractive dual-dial layout and functional display options. While not the best in class, it’s far better than many rivals.

The touchscreen’s new software is meant to be faster, but I found it a bit laggy still, although the integration of Google’s API into the navigation suite is an excellent tweak, making it relevant and useful for much longer.

The tweaks to the centre console make the area more space efficient and useful, but the new cupholders seem strangely shallow, potentially causing large bottles to tip. The tweaked centre console box is nice and large, and the wireless charger is nice and accessible, although its surface is not quite rubbery enough to stop your phone from leaving the charging area in the corners.

The back seat is noticeably stadium – you sit a fair bit higher than in the first row, which eats into headroom in cars equipped with a sunroof for adults. However, width is good, as is the seat comfort.

The rear doors open nice and wide, which should make fitting a child seat easy enough, and the floor is surprisingly flat, too, which makes the middle position more useful.

The third row, which I sampled in an Aspire grade, is both hard to get into and tight once you’re in there. The second row can slide forward on a rail, offering just enough room for me, at 182cm tall, to fit back there, with my knees hard up against the seat in front, and my head nearly touching the roof.

It is for this reason Mitsubishi calls seven-seat versions ‘5+2’. Good for kids, maybe, but not adults for any extended period of time.

The boot is enormous with two rows in use (485 litres in five-seat versions, or 478 litres in seven-seaters), and for this update, the space now has a wider aperture that should make loading objects easier. Space with seven seats up is 163L. Five-seaters get a full-size spare under the floor, while seven-seaters get a space saver.

Braked towing capacity is a middling 1600kg for petrol-powered variants. The brand says not many Outlander buyers are focused on towing as a key capability for the mid-sizer.

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: prices are up across the whole Outlander range.

The increases are modest, contained to between two to three thousand dollars across this mid-size SUV’s sprawling eight-variant range.

It sounds like an overwhelming number of versions but the Outlander is split across five grades in front- or all-wheel drive, with either five or seven seats.

Check out our pricing table below for the detailed prices before on-road costs:

Traditional rivals in the 5+2 mid-size SUV category include this model's platform-mate Nissan X-Trail (from $38,025 - $59,265) and the Honda CR-V ($41,900 - $59,900), with the Hyundai Santa Fe ($53,000 - $72,500) and Kia Sorento ($50,880 - $84,660) being a price-bracket above.

The biggest issue is the Outlander is facing increased competition from models like Chery’s Tiggo 7 (as a five-seater), which can be had for as low as $29,990 drive-away! Even the most expensive version of the Tiggo 8 (seven-seater) in plug-in hybrid form costs the same as a mid-grade Outlander, at $49,990 (d/a). 

Options like this put the choice back in your hands. You can choose a brand with the heritage and support network of Mitsubishi, or you can go with the value of a new player yet to put those runs on the board.

Although it has an almost identical visage to the previous car, there are some major upgrades hidden below the metal. Sure, there’s a tweaked equipment list, but importantly, there’s a completely revised ride and handling tune, which was developed by Mitsubishi right here in Australia using local expertise.

It’s a similar program to the successful ones undertaken by Kia and Hyundai in recent years to improve the handling of their cars, and Mitsubishi in Japan was impressed enough with the depth of the changes that most of them have been adopted to the global tune for the car.

On the topic of standard equipment, LED interior lights and the 12.3-inch digital dash have been made standard across the range, there is now seat ventilation to join the seat heating for the front two positions in the top Exceed and Exceed Tourer grades, while the upper mid-spec Aspire grade scores front seat heating and a heated steering wheel.

The 12.3-inch multimedia screen has also been upgraded, featuring a smaller bezel and more processing power for a faster response rate, as well as a tweaked software suite with a new layout. This screen also hosts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range.

In addition, there’s also the introduction of the Mitsubishi Connect phone app, which features a range of safety and security features, as well as the ability to remotely control things like the ignition, climate system, navigation and locking system.

Across the range the audio system has also been upgraded to an eight-speaker Yamaha-developed system, with the top-spec Exceed Tourer grade scoring a 12-speaker Yamaha system with up to 1650W of power.

The interior now uses higher-quality materials, according to the brand, with extended upholstery across the range. The top-spec Exceed Tourer also scores a new brown interior colour.

A 360-degree parking camera is now standard across the range, and the safety suite also includes the driver monitoring system and traffic sign recognition system as also used in the Triton.

The plug-in hybrid version, which is what the Outlander is arguably most famous for, is not yet available, but Mitsubishi tells us it will arrive in a few months time, at very least before the end of 2025, and it, too, will carry an Australian-developed ride and handling tune.

While there have been a number of spec changes or additions with this update, even more tweaks have happened under the skin.

All versions of the bZ4X now make more power and torque. The AWD’s dual electric motor set-up now has a total system output of 252kW (+92kW) and 438Nm (+101Nm).

Like the pre-update version, the bZ4X AWD offers 'X-Mode' off-road drive modes, crawl control, as well as downhill assist control. However with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, I doubt these will be taken off the beaten track very often, if at all.

The petrol-powered Outlander soldiers on with a drab non-turbo, non-hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The brand calls this combination “proven” and it’s hard to argue given it hasn’t cropped up with any major reliability issues in the pre-facelift car.

Still, it produces a middling 135kW/244Nm, not as punchy as many turbo options, and nowhere near as efficient as hybrid alternatives.

Those seeking a more powerful fuel-sipping option may want to wait for the PHEV version arriving later this year.

Another big under-the-skin change with this update is Toyota has fitted the bZ4X line-up with a larger 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

As a result this EV has more range. The AWD now offers up to 517km of WLTP claimed range (up from 411km) with an official energy consumption figure of 16.0kWh/100km.

During my largely urban testing over the Christmas break I saw an average energy consumption of 14.4kWh/100km. In fact, on one particular trip into the city with minimal traffic I saw an average energy consumption of 10.5kWh/100km. This is incredibly low for an all-wheel drive EV and almost Tesla-like.

Using my as-tested energy consumption figure, the bZ4X AWD has a theoretical total range of 518km.

The Type 2/CCS combination charge port remains on the left-hand front wheel arch which is fine because it’s kerbside, but at some public charging stations it can be hard to connect the cable without having it run up against the front bumper.

Speaking of charging, the maximum AC charging rate has now been upped all the way from 11kW to 22kW, which is a fantastic update. This now allows for a 10 to 100 per cent charge in 3.5 hours.

While peak DC fast-charging unfortunately is still capped at 150kW, Toyota claims it can remain at a higher charge rate for longer now thanks to reworked battery thermal technology.

A fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent is now meant to take 45 minutes. It would be good to see quicker charging because many of this car’s rivals are faster and this can make a world of a difference during long road trips.

As a result of its relatively old-school sounding powertrain, fuel consumption isn’t at the forefront of the petrol-powered Outlander, with official consumption ranging between 7.5L/100km for the lightest five-seat ES 2WD version, to 8.1L/100km in the heaviest, top-spec Exceed Tourer AWD.

C02 emissions are also on the high side, which the brand will no doubt be off-setting with the new PHEV version which will offer even more emissions-free driving range than before.

One benefit of this long-serving engine, though, is it can be fed entry-level 91RON unleaded, better for the back pocket. The petrol-powered Outlander has a 55-litre fuel tank.

The bZ4X AWD was never a slow car to begin with but the added oomph is welcome.

While it's not overtly noticeable in everyday driving, when you mash the throttle at the lights you're pinned back in the seat a lot more than before.

Despite this, it still doesn’t feel like this car wants to be driven quickly. If you drive with a docile right foot, the bZ4X is a supremely comfortable vehicle that’s relaxing and easy to drive.

There are a number of regenerative braking modes to select from by using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but none of them offer a one-pedal driving mode. This means you need to use the brake pedal to come to a complete stop.

As a result, this car’s driving experience is more like a combustion or hybrid vehicle, like the RAV4. This can make the transition to an EV easier if you’ve never driven one before.

The steering feel in the bZ4X has a noticeable weight and heft to it which feels nice when you’re zipping around on urban streets. It also feels like the steering wheel is actually connected to the wheels rather than the overly assisted and light steering systems in some of its rivals.

Where the added steering heft can feel a touch annoying is when you’re doing a tight parking manoeuvre. This car is longer than you think, meaning you may need to do three-point turns more often.

Speaking of parking, the bZ4X’s surround-view camera system is detailed and high-resolution, which is a great peace of mind. The semi-autonomous park assist is also fantastic as it can detect and park the vehicle within painted lines, rather than just slot it between two parked vehicles.

Adding to the comfort factor is this car’s ride, which is a major highlight. Despite the large 20-inch alloy wheels, the suspension does a great job at softening bigger bumps and small road imperfections.

There is little that upsets the interior ambience in this car, making it a serene place to be regardless of where you’re travelling. For an EV you’d expect more tyre and wind noise given there’s no engine to drown the noise out, but Toyota has seemingly done a great job of insulating the cabin and choosing suitable tyres.

The Australian team had a significant amount of input on the driving dynamics of this new Outlander, but does it make a big difference behind the wheel?

We were granted the chance to drive the old one alongside the new version to find out, and the changes are significant.

Overall, the character of the car hasn’t been fundamentally altered. This is still a somewhat plush and soft-around-the-edges family SUV, but redeveloped new suspension parts and even very minor, nerdy modifications like the thickness of sway bars have added up to a much more pleasant vehicle to spend an extended amount of time in.

The first thing you’ll notice is the retuned steering. Mitsubishi’s engineers tell us the tweaked feedback was all down to the software in the rack, and it’s a big difference, upping the firmness of the steering at low speeds, keeping the vehicle on track with more confidence while heading straight, and also removing a slight twitchiness with sudden adjustments.

Next is the cabin ambiance. The new Outlander is a relatively quiet place to be thanks to the extra insulation throughout. It combines with the new steering to give the car much more of a sense of heft than before. The engine is reduced to a distant thrum, and the road is damped away for the most part. Mitsubishi says the 20-inch wheels are a particular hit with buyers, which to me is a shame because I’m willing to bet it’s particularly comfy on the lower-grade tyres.

Elsewhere, the Outlander has a softer initial response to bumps thanks to retuned shocks, and the reduced width of the front sway bar makes for less ‘head toss’ for front seat occupants.

Does it make a significant difference? Yes. The new Outlander is all-round better balanced and better suited to our road conditions. It might not have the sophistication of more expensive options, and it still might be a tad off what the also balanced-and-comfortable RAV4 offers, although it will be interesting to get one back to see how it compares to rivals in a like-for-like test.

Just expect a much more comfort-oriented option than some rivals. These changes don’t make the Outlander as fun to drive as a Mazda CX-5 or a Skoda Kodiaq. For example, while the 2.5-litre engine and CVT combo provides a surprisingly urgent initial response, it's a dull, rubbery power application from there on.

The Outlander has a robust array of active safety kit, with all the key gear like autonomous emergency braking, lane support, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available across the range. Traffic sign recognition and driver attention monitoring is now available from the new Triton, however it is also worth noting some relatively minor items are only available on higher grades.

The ES and LS grades miss out on adaptive high beams, traffic jam assist and steering assist (although they maintain lane departure warning and lane-keep assist).

Mitsubishi is hoping the updated Outlander will qualify for a continued five-star ANCAP safety rating held by the pre-facelift model.

During our drive we also found the lane-keep and driver attention software (which was much-derided at the launch of the Triton) was reasonably well behaved, with the brand saying it had had significant software tweaks over time to make it less invasive. We’ll need to save our final verdict on this system for when we spend an extended time behind the wheel.

As standard there is a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fine but does not stand out for the segment anymore.

However, if you service at one of Toyota’s 260+ dealers around Australia when required, warranty coverage for the high-voltage battery can be extended all the way out to 10 years.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and the first five services are capped at $180 each. While the pricing in classic Toyota fashion is competitive, the 12 month intervals aren’t (in the EV space). The standard is now closer to 24 months.

As part of the ownership package owners get Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables. The 'Toyota Go' loyalty programs also allows for the choice of a complimentary 7.0kW home charger or 12-month Chargefox subscription.

Mitsubishi continues to offer its near-industry-leading 10-year/200,000km warranty, conditional on the car being serviced at a Mitsubishi dealer. Otherwise, it reverts to a five-year/100,000km promise.

The 10 years of warranty is joined by 10 years of capped-price servicing required at 12 month or 15,000km intervals.

Prices are tame, varying between $320 and $680 per visit, for a total yearly average of $434. It’s not the cheapest yearly average out there, but most brands also don’t have capped price servicing extended this far, so it seems like a good deal regardless.