Hybrid or PHEV towcar

Some interesting comments here.

It seems that the Outlander PHEV is the only serious hybrid suitable for towing a caravan at the moment.

The figure of 22mpg towing is a concern. Even our Volvo XC90 (a much bigger car, I think) will usually top 25mpg - higher if I stuck to 50mph.

Also didn't like the bit about hills. In cruise control, our Volvo might just drop a gear and carry on regardless. Cross winds are not an issue, It tows like  dream.

That said, it only does about 30mpg solo on local short trips. So compare to about £1 per battery top up on the PHEV (I think) that is a big difference.

I would have to do some serious sums to see how it all works out.

Does the PHEV have a masive boot?

Hi Ian, re the boot, I'd say it was comparable with most mid sized 4 x 4's. Maybe not as big as your XC90 or our old Touareg, but still very decent.

I can get our porch awning and poles, together with 4 large collapsible chairs, width ways in the boot. Then on top them the aquaroll, rolled up ground sheet, various water, beer and a couple of toolboxes etc etc

On the way home we also put black bags of dirty washing for the 4 of us on the top that.

Lots to consider. 

Cheers, Alex.

@ IanH The figure of 22mpg towing is a concern. Even our Volvo XC90 (a much bigger car, I think) will usually top 25mpg - higher if I stuck to 50mph

A concern? I don't get 22mpg while towing .... might just about get 20. all things are relative when comparing tow vehicles. And mine is about as big as yours ..... Oooer!

You been looking, MM? 

I still think that the PHEV is too much of a risk for serious caravanning at the moment.  It is clearly at the front of the pack, but actually I think that it is not as good as the Hybrid RAV4.

But seriously I think that this is a repeat of the old TV video recorder battle of the 70's, Betamax Vs VHS.     My recommendation - hold off buying until a clear victor emerges. Don't risk buying the wrong one!

There is still nothing to beat the Torque and low end power of the Diesel.  I need clarity on the status of the new Euro 6 Diesels running on AdBlue.  From what I can glean from looking at manuals etc, the new Euro 6 Diesels are actually cleaner than Euro 6 Petrols.

So where the h*** are we?

TF

The PHEV has a third row of seats and still some boot room without the third row the boot is very spacious.  I have carried 3 labs and a GSD x but normally it's just the GSD x Rottie and a lab!  With the back seats down there is 6'2" of space - I was thinking of sleeping in it for island hopping in Scotland!  I have the Outlander diesel but it's identical inside to the PHEV.  I wish I was convinced the PHEV would tow as well as the diesel. Incidentally the overall length is shorter than my previous Skoda Octavia scout.  

i tow with a mitzi phev i agree it is not a great tow car i get  20-26 when towing but make up for this on arrival and then i never have to put petrol in and start exploring  i do charge up on sites  the cable that comes with the car is designed for home charging fitted with a domestic 3 pin plug it initially starts at 10 amps and gradually drops to 6amps over a 5 hr period there should not be any need to plug straight in to the site bollard

the club has installed charging points at brighton club site however these i suspect are fast chargers 20/30 mins and it is fully charged however mitsubishi dont reccomend  fast charging as damaage to batterys may occur

In the end I went for a Euro 6 compliant ML350 Bluetech.  Its towing 1650Kgs at 24 and solo's at 34, so I'm quite happy.  Will wait until the Electric v Hybrid battle is over and the technology has developed.  Will probably be past caring then anyway.

TF

The quote about the third row of seats in the Outlander PHEV is wrong.  That's true for the diesel but it's where batteries are placed in the PHEV.  With a 20 mile commute and a socket at work I averaged 94mpg throughout 18 months of ownership including towing the van (Eriba 540GT).  I'd agree with many of the negatives and it depends on the amount of towing and nature of driving/commuting. As you can imagine I didn't care about the towing mpg with such an amazing overall average!  Having said all that, the car was dull dull dull, so now I drive an F Pace and suffer the BIK and fuel cost hit.

Mitsubishi PHEV towing a Coachman 460 VIP last summer to the French Alps...............

Forget charging up on the way.  Fuel economy was 15-16 mpg, and on two days I filled up 3 times on the journey.

Pulling up long hills a dashboard message pops up 'propulsion power is reduced'.  That's the last place I want to lose power as I slowed to 40 mph.  After checking the handbook its all to do with letting the drivetrain cool.   It also does this going over the M62.

On a good day and a full charge I only get 21 miles, so pulling a caravan I would not expect to get more than 15 miles if lucky.

My last car was a Skoda Superb diesel and I think the Skoda build quality is better, and more comfortable.

The Outlander PHEV is good on company car tax, but apart from that I reckon its a gimmick and I would not want another.

Yes I would rather pay more tax and go back to a large diesel with mote torque.

(Overall I checked my fuel card over a 12 month period and the car averages 34mpg.  I do 30,000 miles a year).

NOT recommended by me as a tow car.