Recommended roof rack and cargo accessories for Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

Seconding the recommendation above. Tbh, dont go cheap on the mount—unfortunately, I had issues with generic crossbars failing on the freeway. Seriously scary. I switched to the Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Black for better stability. Also, the Inno Wedge Plus 864 is basically the best for aerodynamics and hatch clearance. Range hit is still there, but it’s not as bad as expected. Safety first, cuz losing ur gear is a nightmare.

Sooo, I just saw this thread and wanted to jump in from a practical standpoint. For the Outlander PHEV, range is basically everything, right? If you're worried about the EV hit, I'd suggest the Yakima JetStream Crossbars 50 inch over the OEM ones. They have a more technical, teardrop shape that really helps with wind noise. For the box, the Thule Motion XT XL 18 cu ft is popular, but if you're cost-conscious, the REI Co-op Skyward 400 Roof Box is a decent option that usually clears the hatch if you mount it forward. Honestly, expect about a 10-12% drop in efficiency at highway speeds... it kinda just happens with the added drag. Def check the mounting points to ensure the hatch opens fully, but most modern boxes have adjustable clamps now. gl!

Ugh, I feel your pain so much on this one. Its honestly a total headache trying to find the perfect balance with the Outlander. You spend all this money on a PHEV to be green and save on gas, then you slap a box on top and boom, your efficiency is toast. It makes me so mad that there isnt a better solution for us yet. In my experience, most of these accessories are built so cheaply now too... it's a joke. I've been through three different sets of bars over the years that rattled or felt flimsy after one winter. I finally ended up with Thule WingBar Edge Crossbars because they actually stay tight and dont make me feel like my gears gonna end up on the pavement. I paired it with the Yakima SkyBox Carbonite 16 because the mounting hardware is actually durable and it doesn't flex like the budget boxes. Still, the range hit is just depressing. Every time I see that battery percentage drop way faster than usual it just gets under my skin. Its just the price we pay for having a family and needing the space, I guess. It really is a trade-off that nobody tells you about when you buy the car...

Same boat, watching this

Building on the earlier suggestion, i absolutely love seeing more phev owners getting out there! i have been rigging up my own racks for years now and honestly doing it yourself is the only way to ensure it is done right without the dealership markup. before i dive deep into the specs tho, what exactly are you planning to haul? like, are we talking bulky sleeping bags and tents or long items like fishing rods? it makes a huge difference for the hatch clearance! a few things i have learned from my own trial and error:

• height is the range killer. if you can get away with a low-profile box like the Thule Force XT L 16 cu ft, your battery will thank you. the aero on that thing is fantastic.
• positioning matters! i always slide my bars as far forward as possible while still being stable to clear that rear hatch spoiler. dont just stick them where the manual says if it blocks your trunk.
• if you really want to save juice, consider a diy wind fairing. i added the Yakima WindShield 40 inch to my setup and it made a massive difference in the whistling noise on the freeway. it is such a fun project to get the setup perfect! let me know the gear details and i can give you the exact measurements for the clearance.

• i been thinking about the performance side of things since earlier today
• super happy with how the phev handles even with a heavy load on top
• wind noise isnt that bad if you keep the speed under 65 honestly Reminds me though, last time we went out i forgot the actual tent poles at home like a total idiot. We ended up just folding the seats down and sleeping in the car. Best part was using the battery to keep the heater running all night without the engine kicking on much. Honestly way more comfortable than the ground anyway... my back usually kills me after a night in a tent so it was kinda a blessing in disguise. anyway lol sorry i totally went off topic there.

Jumping in real quick since everyone is talking about the high-end stuff. Basically, the consensus so far is that aero shapes help with noise and your PHEV range, but man, those premium setups get expensive fast. If youre looking for something that wont break the bank but still works, be careful with the ultra-cheap generic ones. I would suggest looking at Turtle Air1 Roof Rack Cross Bars if you want that flush look without the Thule price tag. They sit really low which helps with the drag. For the box, make sure to check out the SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box. It opens from the back which is kinda nice because you dont have to worry about which side of the road youre parked on. Plus, its usually way cheaper than the Motion series. Just a heads up though, the rear opening might be tricky with the hatch, so you gotta slide it as far forward as the bars allow. It might save you a few hundred bucks which you can use for camping gear instead, ngl. Its all about finding that middle ground where you get the extra space without totally ruining your EV efficiency...

Been thinking about this since I read the thread earlier today. I really have to agree with what uhufqtdzdz said about taking the time to set it up yourself rather than just letting the dealer slap something on. I've had my Outlander for a long time now and honestly, the learning curve with roof gear was a bit steep at first. One time I was headed up to the mountains and didnt realize how much the wind resistance was rattling my setup. Halfway there I heard this awful whistling that turned into a weird vibration... when I pulled over, the mounts had shimmed just a tiny bit loose because of the constant buffeting on the highway. Now I am super paranoid and always make sure to double check every bolt after the first fifty miles. You might also want to be really careful with the sunroof if your PHEV has one. I almost clipped mine once because the clamps on the one I got sat lower than I expected. Just make sure to do a slow test open while someone watches from the outside the first time you get it all mounted. Its a killer car for camping tho, you are totally gonna love having that extra room once its sorted!