Mitsubishi’s Oddball SUV Is Nonetheless A Dependable Worth Proposition

It is simple to have a look at Mitsubishi Motors and accuse it of being behind everybody else by way of know-how, refinement and innovation. Certain, the Outlander is a aggressive entry in its respective area, however can Mitsubishi actually tackle juggernauts like Honda, Toyota and Hyundai with a dated four-model lineup?

The brief reply is definitely, sure. As a result of, you see, Mitsubishi has understood that nowadays of overly difficult and consistently costlier cars, there’s greater than ever a marketplace for low-cost, dependable and no-nonsense vehicles. The oddball Eclipse Cross is an ideal working example. Whereas it resides within the bizarre coupe SUV section, it stays a greater worth than the rest on this class, to say nothing of its near-bulletproof reliability score and beneficiant guarantee protection. It proves as soon as extra that, on the finish of the day, there’ll all the time be demand for a strong, inexpensive automotive.

The Eclipse Cross pictured here’s a press unit that belongs to the Mitsubishi Motors Canada press workplace. The automobile was picked up clear and with a full tank of fuel. For detailed perception into testing procedures and information assortment, please evaluation our methodology coverage.

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross First Impressions: It Seems to be Attention-grabbing

“Attention-grabbing” is the phrase I like to make use of to explain one thing negatively with well mannered intentions. However, in actuality, the Eclipse Cross is not unattractive per se. However it additionally would not look nice. It is positively daring and unique-looking, which is kind of neat in its personal, quirky method. Overlook the controversy surrounding its title. This has completely nothing in frequent with the Nineteen Nineties sports activities coupe you all keep in mind from the primary Quick and the Livid film, sadly.

Reasonably, the Eclipse Cross is all robotic-looking with its Gundam-like entrance fascia, a design theme I personally sort of like. It positively permits this factor to differentiate itself from different coupe SUVs on the street. The aspect profile is extra conservative than, say, a Buick Envista, whereas the rear resembles a hatchback reasonably than an SUV. It is a busy design, although, one that will positively pop extra by means of brighter colours than my tester’s black paint. The wheel design on this SEL mannequin, nevertheless, is meh, and jogs my memory of the early 2000s tuning craze.

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exterior Dimensions

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Variations Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

The lineup for the Eclipse Cross on either side of the border is comparatively easy, however there’s one factor in frequent in each markets: the super quantity of worth you will be getting from an Eclipse Cross. A base all-wheel-drive ES S-AWC mannequin kicks off at $26,545 USD ($29,398 CAD). The lineup tops off at $30,645 USD ($38,498 CAD) for a completely loaded SEL just like the one you see right here (GT in Canada), which incorporates various tools for the worth, like leather-based seats, a panoramic roof, and an eight-speaker premium audio system.

Each markets promote the Eclipse Cross outfitted with normal all-wheel-drive, which isn’t the case for many of its rivals. And each the U.S. and Canada supply it in 5 totally different trim ranges, however the names of a few of these trims differ. In each markets, as much as six paint colours can be found, however the U.S. market gives extra packages that aren’t supplied in Canada.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Beginning MSRP (mannequin examined in daring beneath)

Driving Impressions And Efficiency: A Linear Turbo Engine And A Quiet Experience

The Eclipse Cross’s specs aren’t precisely thrilling, and there is just one engine possibility to select from. Certain, nothing on this section might be a pocket rocket, however most compact crossovers a minimum of supply a further engine providing extra energy or extra effectivity within the type of a hybrid various. Whereas Mitsubishi gives the Eclipse Cross in different markets with plug-in-hybrid know-how, it is bought in North America with a single powertrain.

There’s actually nothing to set your hair on hearth right here, however Mitsubishi’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder has confirmed itself many occasions over from a reliability standpoint. It is a rock-solid mill, one which’s additionally comparatively straightforward to keep up. Mitsubishi additionally backs it with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee. For the Eclipse Cross, it is good for a humble 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and sends energy to all 4 wheels by way of a constantly variable transmission (CVT).

It is also price mentioning Mitsubishi’s intelligent S-AWC all-wheel-drive system (for Tremendous-All-Wheel Management). Due to its lively heart differential, it has the power to lock itself into a real, full-time 4WD system. The system additionally incorporates lively yaw management on the rear differential for improved dealing with. In different phrases, it is a way more superior system than the standard reactive front-biased techniques many of the competitors make use of, however it’s actually onerous to note any of this all-wheel-drive wizardry when driving the Eclipse Cross on dry pavement.

There is no scarcity of grip, although, and the chassis is well-buttoned down, agency, strong and virtually nimble at occasions. There’s simply not sufficient energy on faucet to actually discover the boundaries of its chassis. Then once more, this was by no means this crossover’s core mission.

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Technical Specs

What the Eclipse Cross lacks in energy and acceleration, it makes up for by being surprisingly easy and quiet at freeway speeds. The CVT stays this drivetrain’s Achilles’ heel because it brings with it the dreaded elastic really feel and droning engine sound usually related to these transmissions. However I rapidly realized that the 1.5T’s ample torque means you do not essentially must flooring the throttle to get the Eclipse Cross transferring rapidly. Reasonably, slowly digging into the throttle will reveal a a lot tamer crossover, and a splendidly linear supply of energy.

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Gasoline Consumption

Based on the EPA, there’s solely a 1 MPG distinction between the entry-level ES mannequin and the remainder of the Eclipse Cross lineup. The EPA additionally charges a mysterious front-wheel-drive mannequin that is not obtainable for order on Mitsubishi’s personal web site. I reached out for remark from the automaker about that mannequin, and I am going to replace this text as soon as I hear again.

Anyway, the 25 mixed MPG score is ok, however not nice. Once more, the Eclipse Cross is a sufferer of Mitsubishi’s lack of innovation. Even normal, gasoline-powered fashions on this area can do higher. That is significantly irritating contemplating the wonderful plug-in-hybrid powertrain the automaker gives within the Outlander. As for me, after spending a full week within the automotive, I averaged the identical 25 MPG mixed.

EPA And As-Examined Gasoline Consumption

Inside Design And Consolation: Seems to be And Feels Like A Automobile From One other Period

Whereas the Eclipse Cross is mostly well-built and the cabin supplies of this SEL mannequin do assist elevate the cabin to a near-premium expertise, there is no hiding the truth that this inside feels prefer it’s from one other period. Newcomers to this area have vastly improved area optimization, cupboard space and onboard know-how. Sadly, the Eclipse Cross lags behind in that regard, with a basic dashboard format and cabin ergonomics which might be extra in tune with automobiles from the final decade.

The upside to this old-school method is that every part feels very acquainted, with ergonomics which might be all fairly easy, making working an Eclipse Cross a comparatively straightforward affair. Sadly, the place it exhibits its age is within the lack of ample cupboard space; a distinction to what you will discover in some more moderen alternate options. The Eclipse Cross additionally wears a set of analog instrumentation in a world the place principally everybody has moved to digital.

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Inside Dimensions

No less than, on the practical aspect of issues, there is a good quantity of passenger room, entrance and rear, contemplating the best way the Eclipse Cross was designed. Rear legroom can be ample, even when a tall particular person is sitting up entrance. And though that is technically a coupe, rear headroom is not compromised attributable to its design.

Know-how And Ease Of Use: Dated, However Practical

Once more, the know-how in an Eclipse Cross feels a number of iterations behind what, say, Hyundai gives as of late, however it’s additionally this simplicity that makes its infotainment system a breeze to function. There’s not a lot by way of settings or options, only a important menu with giant, easy-to-grasp icons. There’s even wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So, whereas rudimentary in its design, the Eclipse Cross’ infotainment system stays practical and simple to make use of.

Cargo And Storage Area: Far Superior To Its Predominant Rival

As a result of the Eclipse Cross is technically a coupe SUV, it would not fairly go in opposition to the common crop of compact crossovers. Its solely actual competitor, then, is the Buick Envista, which leans a bit extra in the direction of the premium aspect of issues. For reference, the Eclipse Cross gives significantly extra cargo area than the Buick (20.7 cu-ft/42.0 cu-ft).

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Cargo Area

Humble, Dependable And Targeted On Its Core Mission

The Eclipse Cross won’t ever be the winner of SUV of the yr, nor will it win a comparability match in opposition to its extra fashionable rivals. Its gas economic system is just tremendous, efficiency is mediocre at finest and its inside, whereas practical and effectively put collectively, is nothing to occasion about.

However as a superb automotive, one thing dependable, attainable, and centered on its supposed perform of being a smart, value-packed crossover with a kind of funky styling, the Eclipse Cross is definitely reasonably nice. Should you’re out there for a strong all-wheel-drive crossover backed by a superb guarantee, however you are on a decent price range and would favor one thing that appears somewhat totally different, then, sure, the 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross remains to be price a shot.