The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid has now been on sale in Europe and Japan for more than two years, but U.S. buyers will still have to wait a while to get their hands on the plug-in crossover.
While a refreshed 2016 Outlander is set to arrive here in June, the plug-in version may not follow until almost a year afterward--likely as a 2017 model.
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Mitsubishi will hold the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid until the second quarter of 2016, according to Automotive News (subscription required).
At that time, it will be joined in the automaker's U.S. lineup by a four-door sedan version of an updated Mirage minicar.
In the meantime, the company will launch redesigned versions of the Lancer and Outlander Sport before the end of this year.
![Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-concept-s-2014-paris-auto-show_100482262_l.jpg)
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show
Shortly afterward, the next-generation Mirage hatchback will arrive at U.S. dealers next spring.
That inexpensive minicar has been an unexpected success for Mitsubishi, selling roughly double its projected first-year volumes.
As for the mid-size SUV, both the standard 2016 Outlander and 2017 Outlander Plug-In Hybrid are expected to feature the revised styling previewed by the Outlander PHEV Concept-S from last year's Paris Motor Show.
MORE: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: Revealed At Paris Motor Show
While it first went on sale in its home market back in 2013, the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid's U.S. launch has been delayed multiple times.
The plug-in crossover was pushed back first to Fall 2014, then 2015 because of production constraints related to its lithium-ion battery pack.
So while it was the first plug-in hybrid crossover or SUV in production, the Outlander will have plenty of competition when it hits U.S. shores next year.
![Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-concept-s-2014-paris-auto-show_100482278_l.jpg)
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, 2014 Paris Auto Show
That includes plug-in versions of three German luxury SUVs plus a brand-new Swedish entry.
Those are the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (nee M-Class), and Volvo XC90--all far more upscale brands than Mitsubishi.
The Japanese maker is now offering more upscale trim levels for its plug-in hybrid utility, however. The GX5hs model includes heated leather seats and adaptive cruise control, among other features, in the U.K.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid: Now We Have Specs
Still, it's a stretch to compare the Mitsubishi to the German and Swedish plug-ins in terms of brand prestige.
Instead, it's possible that the Japanese maker could instead position the Outlander as a less-expensive alternative to those prestige SUVs.
With plug-in crossovers from more mainstream brands entirely missing for the time being, Mitsubishi would have that niche to itself.
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