The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross isn’t a compact crossover that’s top of mind for most of us. In a class loaded with popular and excellent contenders such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, the Eclipse Cross gets overshadowed. But it’s worth a look for consumers who want an affordable, attractive, and comfortable crossover with available all-wheel-drive and one of the best warranties in the class.
Base Price: $28,995
As Tested: $34,670
Horsepower: 152
Mileage: 25 mpg city/26 mpg highway/25 mpg combined
Mitsubishi didn’t produce a 2021 Eclipse Cross. The 2022 model gets redesigned with a more aggressive appearance and updated features including a new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The five-passenger 2022 Eclipse Cross comes in four trims: ES, LE, SE, and SEL. Starting prices range from $23,695 to $27,695. These are low for the class. Front-wheel-drive is standard and Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super all-wheel-control) is available on all trims for $1,600.
The Eclipse Cross gets the same engine as before: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission.
Performance is adequate. No, the Eclipse Cross isn’t exciting to drive but it does fine in most everyday driving situations. Acceleration is quicker than you might think with 152 horses, thanks to the turbo. The CVT shifts smoothly. Steering is light which is good for city driving. There’s noticeable body lean when cornering, especially at higher speeds. The ride is comfortable, even on rougher pavement. Visibility to the front is good but hampered to the rear.
When properly equipped, the Eclipse Cross can to up to 1,500 pounds.
Fuel efficiency is a little above average for the class. EPA ratings for my AWD tester are 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with a combined rating of 25. I got 25 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is attractive, especially considering the relatively low price. There are hard plastics, as you’d expect at this price point, but nothing looks glaringly cheap. Front seats are supportive and comfortable with plenty of leg- and headroom. The rear seats aren’t as roomy, but two smaller to average-size adults should fit fine.
Standard features include a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, sliding and reclining rear seats, infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen, four-speaker audio system. HD Radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth.
Available features include push-button start, surround-view camera system, head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, real leather upholstery, synthetic suede upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, infotainment system with eight-inch touchscreen, navigation, a six- or eight-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a panoramic sunroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection.
Available driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
While the infotainment system is an improvement over the outgoing version, it still looks old school with dated graphics. It’s positioned a little closer to the driver which makes it easier to see and reach. Menus are logically arranged. The system responds quickly to inputs from the touchscreen, and physical knobs make it easy to adjust volume and tuning. The clumsy touchpad controller is gone.
The Eclipse Cross has less cargo space than many rivals. Models without a sunroof have 23.4 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place; models with the sunroof have 23.2 cubes. There are 50.1/49.7 cubes with the rear seats folded. The hatch has a wide opening but the sloping roofline limits the ability to haul large and/or bulky items.
Mitsubishi provides one of the best warranties in the class. The Eclipse Cross gets a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The good:
Relatively low price for the class
Comfortable cabin
User-friendly infotainment system
Available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Excellent warranty
The not-so-good:
Less nimble performance than some competitors
Less cargo space than many rivals
Old school infotainment system
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $28,995. Red Diamond paint is $595. The SEL Touring Package is $2,100 and adds body-colored front and rear bumper with body-colored side door garnish, black roof rails, heated rear seats, Mitsubishi Power Sound System with eight speakers, head-up display, power panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, forward collision mitigation with high-speed braking capability with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Touring Exterior Package is $995 and adds black front and rear corner extensions and side extensions. The Accy tonneau cover is $195. The black hood badge is $110. The Welcome Package is $190 and includes carpeted floor mats and portfolio, cargo mat and touch up paint pen. The Popular Value Package is $295 and includes a rear bumper step protector, roadside assistance kit and sport pedals. Destination fee is $1,195, bringing the grand total to $34,670.
Bottom line:
The new 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is better than its predecessors, but it still has a way to go before catching up to the class leaders. Still, its affordable price, comfortable interior and excellent warranty may make it worth consideration.
