Between the two, the Outlander and Outlander PHEV both offer a long list of safety and comfort features to satisfy just about any driver. Standard for both, most notably, is Super-All Wheel Control, Mitsubishi’s advanced all-wheel-drive system with different drive modes that can handle just about anything Canada’s climate and geography throws at it.

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Seven-passenger seating is also standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and many other features. Electronic safety equipment such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control, among many others, come standard, with more available. Also standard is an appealing design both inside and out and plenty of space for both people and cargo.

Available features on various trims also include MI-PILOT Assist, three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and a power panoramic sunroof, to name just a few.

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On top of all that, each SUV also benefits from one of the best warranties in the business: 10 years or 160,000 km for the powertrain, which also includes the lithium ion drive battery with the Outlander PHEV. There’s also a five-year or 100,000 km overall vehicle warranty, and five years of unlimited roadside assistance. So, you’re covered well either way you decide to go.

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Of course, the big difference between the two is underneath the body. The 2026 Outlander is a gas-powered SUV, with an efficient, turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for power. The Outlander PHEV, on the other hand, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, with a 20 kWh battery powering two electric motors; when the battery is depleted, an onboard 2.4L gas engine is there to either power the wheels or generate power for the battery itself.

But how to choose between the two? It comes down to how you drive.

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The biggest deciding factor for many consumers is upfront cost: the Outlander starts at $36,398 and goes up to $48,398 for the top GT Premium S-AWC trim, while the Outlander PHEV starts at $48,698 and moves to $60,598 for the Noir S-AWC. But here’s the thing: if you can plug the Outlander PHEV in at home and use it almost exclusively on electric drive, you’ll end up saving money in the long run with cheap, off-peak electricity rates for charging. If you don’t have access to an outlet at home, or just don’t want to plug in and change your regular driving habits, the Outlander may make more sense.

The PHEV’s 20 kWh battery is good for up to 61 kilometres of electric range, which is more than enough for many people’s everyday drives. If you like the idea of using lower-cost electricity for emission-free commuting, with the convenience of a gas engine for longer drives, then the Outlander PHEV is for you.

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But if you regularly put in long hours on the road with very little in-town driving, consider that the 2026 Outlander’s highway fuel economy is 7.8 L/100 km, less than the gas-only fuel economy of the Outlander PHEV at 8.7 And if towing is in the equation, the Outlander has a tow rating of 2,000 lbs vs the 1,500 lbs of the Outlander PHEV.

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Plainly put, if doing big-kilometre trips is your thing, maybe the Outlander should be, too.