THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE MORNING

ELLEN'S UP WITH THE LARKS BUT GETS AN UNWELCOME EARLY MORNING ALARM

- ELLEN DEWAR

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV EXCEED TOURER

Price as tested $71,790
This month 781km @ 6.1L/100km
Overall 1542km @ 6.0L/100km

DARK, COLD, EARLY starts are part of the gig if you sign up to be a car photographer but even after all these years I'm still not a natural. Today I'm on dog-walking duties at, checks clock, 6:02 am. It's not quite windscreen defrost territory, but it's not far off and I'm setting out to meet a mate to walk my four-legged bestie, Cleo.

Donning more layers than I care to load in one wash, they're having the unfortunate effect of temporarily insulating me against the Outlander's heated seats, even on the maximum level three setting. Fail.

I prod the start button and attempt to clack the shifter back into drive and - clunk. I ought to have learned by now. One press on the starter button and the Outlander's accessory system comes to life.

You need a longer hold to actually make the PHEV system ready to drive. It's something that's repeatedly frustrated me, and it's simple, but I'll get it right eventually.