2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Overview

For those looking for a return of Mitsubishi’s Eclipse sports coupe, this isn’t it. The 2023 Eclipse Cross does its best to channel its namesake, with bold styling and a rakish rear end, but underneath it’s nothing more than a run-of-the-mill compact SUV. A turbocharged 1.5-liter makes 152 horsepower and is the only engine choice. All-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are standard, and acceleration is rather poky. Handling isn’t particularly athletic, either, but the Eclipse Cross does offer a composed ride and the cabin remains quiet when cruising. The Eclipse Cross’s interior has most of the expected modern amenities as well as a spacious cargo hold, but it falls short of rivals such as the Mazda CX-5, the Hyundai Tucson, and the Volkswagen Tiguanin terms of overall refinement.

What’s New for 2023?

Starting this year, the Eclipse Cross comes standard with all-wheel drive across the entire lineup. Mitsubishi also added a new 18-inch wheel design and standard LED head- and foglights. The top SEL trim now sports body-colored lower trim while SE models get silver-colored embellishments on the front bumper.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The SE model represents the best balance of value and features. It adds many additional features over the LE model that justify its slightly higher price tag, including keyless remote entry with pushbutton start, driver-assistance features, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Eclipse Cross’s turbocharged four-cylinder isn’t going to set anyone’s heart aflame. The last one we tested jogged to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds at our test track. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the engine delivers power smoothly. Aggressive throttle applications evoke less engine noise than expected, and highway cruising is quiet and unremarkable—just what we want from crossovers in this class. The Eclipse Cross’s suspension is clearly tuned for comfort; taking corners at speed results in moderate body roll. That softness pays off in its ride quality, with the chassis remaining composed while driving over broken pavement and railroad crossings. However, small cracks in the road transmit vibrations up through the steering wheel and seats, something rival crossovers such as the Ford Escape and the Kia Sportage smooth out more thoroughly. Steering is accurate and light—good for parking-lot maneuverability but discouraging for back-road antics.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel-economy results are entirely unremarkable. The EPA says the Eclipse Cross is supposed to do better in the city than many of its rivals, so consider your driving habits when making comparisons. The base ES model is the thriftiest with EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Our all-wheel drive Eclipse Cross SEL test vehicle delivered 26 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel economy test. For more information about the Eclipse Cross’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The interior of the Eclipse Cross about what you’d expect at its attractive price point. There aren’t any egregiously cheap materials, but some rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 offer plusher cabins if you’re willing to pay a little more. The seats are wrapped in a stylish, durable fabric, and while cushioning was more than adequate, the lack of a lumbar adjustment left our backs wishing for more support after a few hours behind the helm. The Eclipse Cross has enough cargo space for a small family, but cubby storage becomes scarce with more than three occupants on board. We fit six carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and 17 in total with the seats folded. The rear seats fold easily, although people with shorter torsos may have trouble reaching the release levers from the cargo area. A stroller fits easily in the cargo area with all the seats up.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Eclipse Cross models come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system. Base ES models offer a 7.0-inch display, and LE, SE, and SEL models have a larger 8.0-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-dash navigation are available only with the 8.0-inch display.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Basic driver-assistance technologies are standard, such as automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning, but more advanced features require checking the box for an upper trim level. For more information about the Eclipse Cross’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety equipment includes:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

While Kia and Hyundai love to tout their 100,000-mile powertrain warranties, Mitsubishi equals that and offers better corrosion protection and more generous roadside assistance.

Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications:

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $28,310 (base price: $25,025)

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection

Displacement: 91 cu in, 1499 cc

Power: 152 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: continuously variable automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS:

Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 11.6-in vented disc/11.9-in disc

Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus, P225/55R-18 97H M+S

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 105.1 in

Length: 173.4 in

Width: 71.1 in Height: 66.5 in

Passenger volume: 95 cu ft

Cargo volume: 23 cu ft

Curb weight: 3496 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 8.6 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 30.2 sec

Zero to 110 mph: 46.3 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.2 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.3 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 16.7 sec @ 83 mph

Top speed (drag limited): 118 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.76 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY:

Observed: 22 mpg

75-mph highway driving: 26 mpg

Highway range: 410 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:

Combined/city/highway: 25/25/26 mpg

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