The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Beats Really Expensive Competition in This 1 Metric

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Hybrid vehicles can be a great option for folks who want an environmentally friendly car, but without having to worry about range. And, when it comes to PHEV SUVs, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has some impressive specs. Here’s a look at the one area where the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is beating its more expensive competition. 

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is in the top five

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

While the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may not be a perfect car, it actually holds a few accolades as far as PHEVs go. In fact, according to MotorTrend, the Outlander PHEV is the best-selling PHEV in the world right now. Not only that, but when it comes to fuel economy, it is in the top five as far as hybrid SUVs go. This is thanks to its brand-new 2.4-liter I-4 engine, which is supported by front and rear electric motors that are mounted on the front and rear axles. 

Combined, they produce about 221 hp, according to Car and Driver, and that’s a 31 hp improvement from before. The Outlander PHEV’s battery also got bigger, as it’s now 13.8 kWh instead of 12.0 kWh. That size improvement, along with some smart programming, allows the Outlander PHEV to get about 74 MPGe and have a battery-only range of 24 miles. 

Despite being the fifth most fuel efficient hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV only starts at about $37,000 MSRP, according to Car and Driver. As a result of that low price tag and that high fuel economy, the Outlander PHEV beats out a lot of expensive competition.

What cars the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV beat

For example, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover P400e gets a decent 42 MPGe, but it’s a wildly expensive car compared to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV since it’s a Range Rover after all. MotorTrend said that the Range Rover P400e will start at about $131,000 MSRP.

Another expensive PHEV SUV that the Outlander PHEV beat was the 2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid. It gets about 46 MPGe, but it will also start at about$180,000 MSRP. With that being said, it’s probably not a fair comparison. After all, the Range Rover and the Bentayga’s expensive price tags are because of other factors, other than their hybrid engines. 

However, even non-luxury cars are less fuel-efficient and more expensive than the Outlander PHEV is. For example, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe gets about 49 MPGe, but it will start at about $50,000 MSRP.

Great value for its price

There are countless more examples of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV being more fuel efficient and less expensive than its competition. As such, it’s sufficient to say that the Outlander PHEV simply provides a lot of value for its $37,000 price tag. On top of that, the Outlander only comes with a PHEV powertrain, and as such, customers won’t need to pay a premium to get a PHEV for their Outlander.

Nevertheless, there are two trims available for the Outlander PHEV, and they can make it a fancier car to drive around in. The LE trim starts at about $39,000, and it’ll provide a few creature comfort upgrades. The GT trim starts at about $43,000, and it’ll provide even more upgrades. That said, Car and Driver recommends the standard Outlander PHEV, as it comes with a lot of standard equipment already.

On top of that, since the Outlander is a PHEV, it does qualify for federal EV tax credits. As a result, the Outlander PHEV’s ultimate value is probably very high, as its competition can be several thousand dollars more expensive and yet offer less fuel economy than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can.

While it’s far from a perfect plug-in hybrid, you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least consider the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV over its more expensive competition.

RELATED: There Are a Few Reasons to Pick the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Over the Jeep Wrangler 4xe

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Here’s How To Get Your New $1280 Alibaba Mini Jeep

by Gabrielle DeSantis

These cheap, Chinese mini vehicles are just too hard to resist. Yeah, there is not much you can do with them in the US. But what can you do with baseball cards or VHS tape player? Not much! But you can drive around, albeit at a maximum of 25 mph, in your Alibaba Mini Jeep. 

And the folks at Electrek found someone who actually bought one. If you’re gun shy about plopping down over a grand without anything to show for it, don’t worry. This is all legit and here is how one person did it just to prove it. 

Some assembly of the Mini Jeep is required but you’ve got this

Alibabl electric Mini Jeep | Electrek

Electrek found Kyle Day, who was looking for a customs broker to help out. First, keep in mind that there is some assembly required. Just like with Ikea furniture and your baby’s playpen, you’ll have to do a bit of wrenching. But it is basic bolt-on stuff, nothing MotorBiscuit readers can’t handle.

Downloading the Alibaba app helps with communication. It converts anything in Chinese to English for you, and vice-versa for the contacts in China. Once you’ve got it you can choose from a menu of options for your Mini Jeep, or other vehicles sold on Alibaba’s site. Usually, the options are fairly cheap relative to the overall price. 

In the case of this Mini Jeep purchase, the price of the vehicle came out to $1,590. There is a $200 “sample fee” that gets waived if you buy in quantities. So you’ll save if you want a fleet of Mini Jeeps. The shipping was $180. The grand total was slightly under $2,000. 

For $2,030 the Mini Jeep got shipped via ocean carrier to the nearest port

rear 3/4 view of Alibaba Mini Jeep
Electric Alibaba Mini Jeep | Electrek

Using Apple Pay gives you fraud and chargeback coverage and adds an additional $60. So for $2,030 the Mini Jeep gets shipped via ocean carrier to your nearest port. You’ll be notified at every stage of the shipping, which usually takes 15 days to complete. A bill of lading gives you the details of your order and when and where to pick it up at the port. 

Once it is US-bound you can track your purchase through updates on several websites. Once it gets to the port, that is when and where customs, tariffs, and miscellaneous fees enter the picture. The big bite is the 25 percent tariff-thanks Trump!

You’ll want a customs broker to handle forms and general processes getting it shipped

Alibaba Mini Jeep front 3/4 view
Alibaba Mini Jeep | Electrek

With a customs broker, most of the forms and general processes are handled by them. You’ll fill out some paperwork, pay your fees, and then wait some more. You’re notified when your vehicle arrives at the deconsolidation warehouse. The broken-down vehicle is loaded into your pickup or van, and you’re on your way.

But first, you must assemble it. In Kyle’s case, it was not strictly a bolt-together deal. Some adjustments were needed. A couple of mounts had to be cut out with a cut-off wheel and rewelded in better locations. And one wheel was bent, which he got replaced. In the short term, he ground the wheel where it made contact with the brake. 

If you encounter problems like this and can’t weld there are local welders that can do it for reasonable prices. There are even traveling welders that will come to your home or shop. So while it is disappointing, it isn’t the end of the world. Nor will it cost a bunch to take care of any welding problems. 

A lot of “extras” are standard with the Alibaba Mini Jeep

Electric Alibaba Mini Jeep
Alibaba Mini Jeep | Electrek

Included with the Mini Jeep were a horn, speedometer, battery charge indicator, blinker and brake lights, headlights, a D/N/R switch, and a fast/slow speed selector. With the optional lithium-ion battery he figures he gets about 10 miles between charges. The range is supposed to be close to 50 miles, so there is something off in the range department. The Mini Jeep is mostly used by his kids when camping.

Yes, the “$1,280 Mini Jeep” took more than that to actually get here, and it needed some massaging to get it all together. But based on his comments he seems happy with the purchase. Plus, he and his family do have fun with it. Two adults can be accommodated if it is for you and not your kids. 

There are other interesting vehicles on the cheap available via China. While not the most practical they look like they would be a lot of fun. 

RELATED: Here’s Where All the Cheap Electric Vehicles Are

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Is the Problem With the Toyota Land Cruiser That It’s Too Good?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t just for groceries and large families. This SUV actually does a lot more than just run-of-the-mill errands. The engine is simple, the design is classic, and the Toyota Land Cruiser is about as durable as it gets.

Why is the Toyota Land Cruiser so reliable?

A Toyota land cruiser parked at a beach | Edwin Remsberg / VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Toyota has spent the last 70 years perfecting the Land Cruiser. It isn’t so much that it is perfect, but it is versatile. The SUV has tons of space inside but can also carry cargo on the roof or tow it. It is well-versed in off-roading and has no trouble traversing dangerous territories.

In a press release, the brand pointed out that the Toyota Land Cruiser has symbolized safety and security since 1951. When the LC first came out, the original Toyota BJ had a powerful engine of its own. This was the first vehicle to climb past the sixth checkpoint of Mount Fuji. After that, Japan adopted the BJ as the official police patrol car.

Toyota set high expectations for the Land Cruiser as “a vehicle that promises to take you anywhere & everywhere and come back alive and safe.” It has been said that parts on the LC are meant to last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, which is why you see so many older ones on the roads.

Additionally, the Land Cruiser isn’t meant to be a hard-to-fix vehicle that requires a lot of upkeep. Nations worldwide that use these vehicles for rescue missions and humanitarian aid don’t have time to waste in an automotive shop.

The Toyota Land Cruiser does it all, including safaris

You might see a Toyota Land Cruiser on the beach or out giving tours. Sometimes the Land Cruiser is used for safari expeditions in Africa. The SUV has also assisted in many search and rescue operations worldwide, getting to places that some vehicles can’t.

The World Health Organization (WHO) used a refrigerated 70-Series Land Cruiser to help deliver and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. This was the first vehicle in the world to obtain the Performance, Quality, and Safety (PQS) pre-qualification. This system “was established to promote the development of medical devices and equipment applicable for the United Nations’ procurement as well as to set quality standards.”

The International Federation of Red Cross has a program that incorporates the Land Cruiser and humanitarian action. The global fleet solutions mission helps provide efficient and cost-effective vehicles. Among other things, the program allows groups to rent vehicles instead of buying.

Easy to fix and

The Land Cruiser engine isn’t the most exciting or fast engine around, but that’s the point. The simple and fairly common V8 is easy to find parts for and east to fix. For the most part, most shops will have someone with experience working with the engine.

If you have ever been stranded somewhere waiting for an obscure part that needs to be shipped from across the country, this is probably a big selling point. If you have ever paid a lot of money for a brand-specific part directly from a dealership, this is probably a big selling point.

Additionally, the body of the Toyota Land Cruiser is pretty strong. You won’t have issues taking it off-road or through the mountains. It is heavy, but that actually benefits the capabilities of this SUV. In the 2022 Land Cruiser, Toyota even focused on making the frame stronger. The suspension is high quality and makes the ride smooth, even in the wildest of terrains.

While the Toyota Land Cruiser might have its fair share of faults, it actually might be too good for its own good. When reliability is hard to come by, the Land Cruiser won’t let you down.

RELATED: Toyota Will Introduce 15 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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Is It Better to Fly Private or First Class?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Road trips are fun, but sometimes they simply aren’t practical. This is obvious enough for international flights, but it can apply for traveling from state to state if you’re in a hurry. Prices for flights can be surprisingly cheap, making this all the more attractive, unless you want to fly first class, of course. But what if you could charter your own private airplanes? Here are some tips to help you decide which choice is right for you.

Flying first class has its benefits

The list of reasons to pick first class seem endless. There’s more legroom, the food is better, you get prioritized for check-in, and you get to sit in comfortable seats. When compared to economy seats, which are only attractive due to the price point, first class starts to look pretty good.

You don’t have to worry about someone demanding you switch seats with them, because everyone already has the seats they want. While all your wants and wishes aren’t catered to, for the most part, you have all the high points met. There’s only one major downside to flying first class, and that’s the extremely high prices.

According to Coast Private, the cheapest you can expect to land a first class seat is $800. This can easily soar to thousands of dollars. For those who can afford it, flying first class seems like the obvious way to go. There are a few reasons why you should think about chartering a private jet, however.

Flying private has some attractive amenities

Chartering a private jet may seem like a pipe dream, but there are a few occasions when it makes sense. For business trips where you’ll be traveling with your associates, then it’s a great way to rest and relax before hitting the ground, or have a strategy meeting.

This is especially true for flights that will last less than two hours, and you charter a small to midsize jet. As hard as it is to believe, a private jet can also be more comfortable than first class. There’s more room, and you can pick and choose what amenities you want. In first class, you have more choices than someone sitting in economy, but you don’t really get to tailor it the way you would on a private jet.

International flights aren’t exactly ideal for chartering a private jet, as this will greatly increase the price. According to Coastal Private, “On-demand charter service price depends on the plane size, Light Jets start at $2,800 per hour. Mid-Size Jets start at $3,800 per hour. Super Mid-Size Jets start at $4,500 per hour. Large Cabin Jets start at $6,500 per hour.”

Which should you choose?

The biggest factor to consider when trying to choose between a private jet and first class is how many people are going on the trip. If you’ve got a big group traveling over land, then a private jet is the obvious choice. You don’t have to worry about your group being split up, you can plan before you hit the ground, and you don’t have to worry about sharing.

If on the other hand, you’re flying solo, then first class is the way to go. It’ll cost you less money in the long run, especially if you’re traveling overseas. You will obviously have to wait, as opposed to arriving at the airport and boarding your plane, but it’ll save you some money.

If your budget is not an issue, then it really doesn’t matter. You can choose the private jet and enjoy all the amenities it offers, or you can fly first class. The choice is yours.

RELATED: Learning to Fly: What You Need to Know Before Take-Off

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