Outlander PHEV vs bZ Woodland
Put the Outlander PHEV next to the bZ Woodland and you have Mitsubishi and Toyota going after exactly the same compact suv crowd. The scorecard favors the bZ Woodland, which leads in 4 of 5 areas. Its strongest showing is in the engine & performance category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance bZ Woodland wins
- Fuel Economy & Range bZ Woodland wins
- Space & Practicality Outlander PHEV wins
- Off-road & Towing bZ Woodland wins
- Safety & Tech bZ Woodland wins
- Price Outlander PHEV wins
- Space & Practicality7.5
- Off-road & Towing3.3
- Space & Practicality4.1
- Off-road & Towing7.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The bZ Woodland has 237 mi more electric range
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 281 mi for the bZ Woodland versus 44 mi for the Outlander PHEV. More electric range means more of your daily driving can happen without using fuel at all.
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The bZ Woodland has 78 hp more power
The Outlander PHEV lists 297 hp; the bZ Woodland comes in at 375 hp. That’s not a rounding error. The bZ Woodland’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Outlander PHEV has room for 7 seats
At 7 seats versus 5 seats, this is a decisive lead for the Outlander PHEV, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
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The bZ Woodland has 2,000 lb more towing capacity
If max towing is one of your priorities, this settles it: the bZ Woodland leads clearly with 3,500 lb to the Outlander PHEV’s 1,500 lb. If you tow regularly, the bZ Woodland’s higher rating gives you more margin.
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The bZ Woodland has 15% more maximum cargo space
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 74.3 cu ft for the bZ Woodland, 64.7 cu ft for the Outlander PHEV. Check the shape of the load floor too: a flat floor can matter as much as the number.
Design & Size
- Outlander PHEV 185.8 in × 68.8 in
- bZ Woodland 190.2 in × 73.2 in × 65.9 in
The Outlander PHEV is the smaller car here, which some buyers will see as a plus and others as a compromise.
Dimensions
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.8 in | 190.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 73.2 in |
| Height | 68.8 in | 65.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.5 in | 112.2 in |
Engine & Performance
bZ Woodland leads
Here the bZ Woodland opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The bZ Woodland takes this one with 78 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the bZ Woodland is the stronger car.
Total system output
Outlander PHEV: 297 hp bZ Woodland: 375 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
bZ Woodland leads
This section belongs to the bZ Woodland. In fuel economy & range, it leads the Outlander PHEV by a margin that’s hard to ignore. On its side, the bZ Woodland has 237 mi more electric range. If you can charge at home, the bZ Woodland’s longer electric range can cover more commutes on electricity alone. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the bZ Woodland comes out ahead.
Electric range
Outlander PHEV: 44 mi bZ Woodland: 281 mi Cold weather and highway speeds reduce electric range, so a larger buffer is useful.
Space & Practicality
Outlander PHEV leads
The Outlander PHEV is the clear pick if space & practicality is what you care about most. The Outlander PHEV comes with room for 7 seats. The Outlander PHEV has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools. The bZ Woodland brings 15% more maximum cargo space. For space & practicality, the Outlander PHEV is the one to beat.
Seats
Outlander PHEV: 7 seats bZ Woodland: 5 seats Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
Cargo (seats folded)
Outlander PHEV: 64.7 cu ft bZ Woodland: 74.3 cu ft Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
Off-road & Towing
bZ Woodland leads
Look at the off-road & towing table and one name keeps coming out on top: the bZ Woodland. The bZ Woodland steps ahead thanks to 2,000 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. Prioritize off-road & towing, and the bZ Woodland is where you should land.
Max towing
Outlander PHEV: 1,500 lb bZ Woodland: 3,500 lb A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
Safety & Tech
bZ Woodland leads
The safety & tech comparison is tighter than it first looks, with the bZ Woodland marginally ahead. The bZ Woodland scores with a bigger 14 in touchscreen. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance. That makes the bZ Woodland the natural choice for buyers focused on safety & tech.
Largest touchscreen
Outlander PHEV: 12.3 in bZ Woodland: 14 in The bZ Woodland’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid | Battery electric |
| Engine | 2.4L I4 + two electric motors, 22.7 kWh battery | Dual electric motors, 74.7 kWh battery |
| Total system output | 297 hp | 375 hp (winner) |
| Transmission | Single-speed (direct drive) | Single-speed |
| Drivetrain | AWD (S-AWC) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 27 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 27 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg Thirstiest on the highway | N/A (not specified) |
| Electric range | 44 mi Shortest electric range | 281 mi (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 14 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats (winner) | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 33.8 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 64.7 cu ft | 74.3 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in | 14 in (winner) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.8 in | 190.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 73.2 in |
| Height | 68.8 in | 65.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.5 in | 112.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Outlander PHEV | bZ Woodland |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $43,245 (winner) | $45,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price barely moves the needle here: the bZ Woodland launched $2,055 higher. Paying $2,055 extra for the bZ Woodland means getting 237 mi more electric range and 78 hp more power.
Launch prices in the US as of launch; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Outlander PHEV if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (7 seats vs 5 seats)
- you’d put the $2,055 saving toward something else
- you want the more compact car
Choose the bZ Woodland if…
- you want more electric-only range (281 mi vs 44 mi)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (375 hp vs 297 hp)
- you tow a camper, boat or trailer (3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb)
- you want more room with the seats folded (74.3 cu ft vs 64.7 cu ft)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Outlander PHEV or the bZ Woodland?
The bZ Woodland makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you know that room for 7 seats would make a real difference in your routine.
Which has better battery life, the Outlander PHEV or the bZ Woodland?
The bZ Woodland comes out ahead on electric range, with 281 mi compared with 44 mi on the Outlander PHEV.
Is the Outlander PHEV bigger than the bZ Woodland?
The bZ Woodland takes that one. With dimensions of 190.2 × 73.2 × 65.9 in, it is larger than the Outlander PHEV (185.8 × 68.8 in).
Is the Outlander PHEV cheaper than the bZ Woodland?
At launch, the Outlander PHEV undercut the bZ Woodland by $2,055. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV versus Toyota’s bZ Woodland. For me, the deciding factor is that only the bZ Woodland gives you 237 mi more electric range. Another thing in the bZ Woodland’s favor is 78 hp more power. Fairness check: the Outlander PHEV does come with room for 7 seats.
Match the strength to your habits (space & practicality for the Outlander PHEV, engine & performance for the bZ Woodland), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the bZ Woodland, with one exception: if having room for 7 seats matters more to you than the rest, go for the Outlander PHEV.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.