Which plug-in hybrid SUV should you choose?

Hybrid SUVs are all the rage these days, and while ‘self-charging’ hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 and MG HS Hybrid+ are the big sellers, there has been a big rise in plug-in hybrid sales thanks to the arrival of many new PHEVs on the market.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the pioneer and used to be the PHEV sales champion globally, but its market share is being chipped away at by new rivals such as the Geely Starray, which recently launched in Australia sporting the excellent value the brand is known for.

Pricing

Immediately, the Starray EM-i gets off to a great start against the Outlander PHEV thanks to its pricing, at $39,990 plus on-road costs. And that’s for the upper-spec Inspire model, so if you aren’t in need of features such as a power tailgate and ambient cabin lighting, save yourself $1500 to get the lower-spec Complete.

By contrast, the cheapest Outlander PHEV variant – in the 2025 model range (pricing for the 2026 model is yet to be announced but we’ll update this article once done) – starts at $57,290 plus on-road costs, which is almost $20,000 more than the Starray. Despite the price difference, the Starray is actually much better equipped and that’s because the Outlander ES is the entry level model.

Both Geely and Mitsubishi offer impressive warranty programs: seven years for the former and five years (extendable to 10 years in total) for the latter, while both feature 12 months of roadside assistance that is topped up a further 12 months by each dealer service up to seven years in total for the Geely and 10 years for the Mitsubishi. The Outlander PHEV’s five-year service cost asks $37 more annually, but that’s not a massive difference, and both cars should be cheap to run.

Geely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESStarting price$39,990 plus on-road costs$57,290 plus on-road costs (pre-facelifted model)Premium paint+ $600+ $790 – $990WarrantySeven-year/unlimited kmFive-year/100,00km, extendable up to 10 years/200,000km with dealer servicingService intervalsAnnually/every 15,000kmAnnual/every 15,000kmFive-year service cost$1932 ($387 per year)$2119 ($424 per year)Roadside assistance12 months renewed with every dealer service up to seven years in total12 months renewed with every dealer service up to 10 years in totalDimensions

Both the Starray and Outlander PHEV are classed as mid-size SUVs. At 4740mm long, the Starray is only 30mm longer than the Outlander, and its 1905mm width is 43mm greater too.

But the Outlander is the taller of the two at 1740mm – 55mm more than the Geely – and its 2020kg kerb weight is a significant 250kg more than the newcomer. For bootspace, the Starray’s 428-litre space looks small in the segment, with the Outlander 66 litres more commodious – but fold the seats down and the Geely reportedly offers a huge 651 litres of more space.

Geely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESLength4740mm4710mmWidth1905mm1862mmHeight1685mm1740mmWheelbase2755mm2706mmKerb weight1770kg2020kgLuggage space428 litres – 2065 litres494 litres – 1414 litresStandard features

Not only is the Starray significantly cheaper than the Outlander PHEV, but it’s also much better equipped as standard. Additional kit compared to the Mitsubishi on the Geely includes larger wheels, more advanced headlights, automatic wipers, synthetic leather trim, electric front seat adjustment and double both the speaker and USB port count (16 versus eight and four versus two respectively).

Geely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESWheels19-inch alloy18-inch alloyHeadlightsLED projectorLED reflectorWipersRain-sensing automaticManual intermittentSeat adjustmentSix-way electric driver, four-way electric passengerSix-way manual driver, four-way manual passengerUpholsterySynthetic leatherClothSteering wheelLeatherUrethanePush button startYesYesClimate controlDual-zone automatic with rear ventsDual-zone automatic with rear ventsStereo1000W 16-speaker FlymeEight-speaker YamahaIn-car charging4 x USB, wireless phone charger (front)2 x USB (front)Performance, fuel economy and charging

Both the Starray and Outlander PHEV are plug-in hybrids, which offer all-electric driving until their batteries are depleted and then they act like a normal hybrid afterwards. Like every other PHEV, their efficiency depends on how much they are charged – keep them topped up and they’ll almost hit 100km on electric power alone, but keep them running purely as a hybrid and consumption will climb.

The Geely relies on a smaller engine than the Mitsubishi – 1.5-litres versus 2.4-litres – but its total peak power is 8kW more at 193kW. The Geely’s battery is also smaller than the Mitsubishi’s at 18.4kWh versus 22.7kWh, yet its WLTP electric range is only 3km less at 83km. Both can be recharged at up to 30kW on a DC fast charger, though the Outlander PHEV uses the rarer CHAdeMO connector.

Geely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESEngine1.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid2.4-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybridPeak power193kW185kWCombined fuel consumption2.4L/100km1.5L/100kmElectric range (WLTP)83km86kmBattery capacity/peak charge rate18.4kWh, 30kW DC22.7kWh, 30kW DCFuel type/tank size51 litres/95RON premium unleaded56 litres/91RON regular unleadedSafety

While the Starray is yet to be tested by ANCAP for crash safety, its EX5 sibling was given a five-star rating in 2025, as was the updated Outlander PHEV earlier in 2025. Both feature a full suite of active safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

SafetyGeely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESAirbagsSevenEightAdaptive cruise controlYesYesAutonomous emergency brakingYes (with pedestrian and daytime cyclist assistance)Yes (with pedestrian assistance)Lane-keep assistYes (with adaptive lane guidance)YesBlind-spot monitoringYesYesRear cross-traffic alertYes (with braking)Yes (with braking)Driver attention monitoringYesYesParking sensorsFront and rearFront and rearReversing camera360-degree360-degreeISOFIXOutboard rear seatsOutboard rear seatsTechnology

Both the Starray and Outlander PHEV are equipped with a long list of technology features, though the Geely has more screen real estate with its massive 15.4-inch touchscreen, as well as a large 13.8-inch head-up display in front of the driver. But the Outlander PHEV features both a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, which is smaller than the Starray, but still impressive.

Geely Starray EM-i InspireMitsubishi Outlander PHEV ESDriver’s display10.9-inch digital + 13.8-inch head-up display12.3-inch digitalTouchscreen15.4-inches12.3-inchesSatellite navigationYesYesRadioFM/DAB+AM/FM/DAB+Smartphone mirroringWireless Apple CarPlay (wireless Android Auto coming soon via OTA update)Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoConclusion: Geely Starray EM-i or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

Based purely on specifications, the Geely Starray EM-i is an impressive product that will no doubt boost plug-in hybrid sales in Australia thanks to its impressive EV range, DC fast charging, long list of standard features and – most notably of all – very keen pricing. At just $39,990 plus on-road costs, the Starray EM-i Inspire not only undercuts the Outlander PHEV ES significantly, but it’s actually the same price as the entry-level petrol Outlander ES.

That’s not to say that the Outlander PHEV ES is a bad purchase, because it’s still equipped with a full suite of safety features, large displays in the cabin and an industry-leading 10-year warranty (with dealer servicing) and cheap servicing. But the Outlander PHEV’s qualities are not enough to overcome a near-$20,000 price difference and if you’re searching for a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV, the Geely Starray EM-i should definitely be on your consideration list.