Overview
One might assume by looking at it that the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross would offer zesty road manners to match its rakish styling—but one would be wrong. Underneath its extroverted styling lies an entirely mundane small crossover, complete with poky acceleration and a soft-riding suspension. And that’s a shame, given that it wears the name of Mitsu’s iconic sports coupe, the Eclipse. All models come with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. While it’s smaller than Mitsubishi’s larger Outlander SUV as well as rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson and the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Eclipse Cross will be practical enough for most small SUV buyers. And although its handling is anything but sports-car sharp, it at least provides a smooth ride and a quiet cabin that’s comfortable for road trips.
What’s New for 2024?
The Eclipse Cross rolls into 2024 with few changes. The mid-level SE trim now comes standard with a hands-free power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, a rear-seat USB port, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The LE trim gets keyless entry and pushbutton start as standard and benefits from a two-year free trial of the Mitsubishi Connect smartphone app and its associated roadside safety services. This year, Mitsubishi is also adding a two-year/30,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan to its standard warranty package.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The SE model represents the best balance of value and equipment. 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 does at least deliver power smoothly. Aggressive throttle applications evoke less engine noise than expected, and highway cruising is quiet and unremarkable—just what many buyers want from crossovers in this class. The Eclipse Cross’s suspension is clearly tuned for comfort; taking corners with any sort of verve 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
The Mitsu’s 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 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 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 is 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 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.
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—but still relatively small—8.0-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-dash navigation are available only with the 8.0-inch display.
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
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 30,000 miles
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
