1. Reviews
  2. 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Source: www.mitsubishicars.com

Practical compact SUV with a distinct exterior design

Price From $27,090- To $31,926

by | Jul 28, 2023

Overview

First introduced by the Japanese automaker in 2017, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an attractive contender in the compact crossover SUV segment but it fails to impress buyers in a market dominated by Mazdas and Volkswagens. Neither the handling nor the performance can impress trill-loving drivers. However, it does offer a quiet and reliable ride on most road conditions, which can be a good incentive for certain buyers.

In this 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross review, we will look into this lineup’s engine, performance, fuel economy, comfort quotient, safety features, warranty, market pricing, and more, and help you understand if this is a good choice for you.

Pros
Noise-free cabin in most driving conditions
Long warranty provided by the automaker
Edgy exterior makes the vehicle stand out
Expect calm and composed ride quality
Roomy cargo space
Cons
Almost no driving thrills
Basic trim lacks necessary safety, driver-assist, and entertainment features

Performance, Engine, and Comfort

(4/5)
You may expect the performance to be dashing based on the exterior, but you’ll be disappointed big time. The engine is not powerful enough and there are no driving thrills, but drivers who prefer composed rides would love the experience. The fuel economy numbers are good.

Engine & Performance

(3.5/5)

The engine is pretty basic and so is the driving demeanor. If you’re drawn in by the vehicle’s edgy exterior, you’ll be disappointed with its below average performance both for city cruising and highway driving.

Engine

It’s powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine generating 152 hp @ 5500 rpm and torque of 184 pound-feet @ 2000 rpm.

Transmission 

The engine pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Suspension

The lineup comes with front struts and rear multi link suspension. While the suspension does prioritize comfort, it could have been better.

Steering

Covered in leather, the tilt and telescopic electric-powered steering wheel is available as a standard feature in all trim levels. If the roads are bumpy, the jittery feel can get transmitted through the steering wheel, so rides may not always be smooth.

Safety & Reliability

(4/5)

JD Power gave it a reliability score of 80/100, based on four criteria—quality and reliability, driving experience, resale value, and dealership experience. It received a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA, and an overall ‘Good’ rating from IIHS.

Brakes

The vehicle is equipped with 11.6-inch vented disc for front brakes and and 11.9-inch vented disc for rear brake.

Airbags

It comes with dual front side-mount airbags along with front and rear head airbags as standard.

Electronics

The number of standard safety features are quite less in the base trim. Depending on which variant you choose, the safety and optional features include stability control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, pre and post collision safety system, emergency braking assist, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control, to mention a few.

Lights

The standard package includes daytime running lights, front fog lights, LED headlamp and dusk sensing headlamps.

Traction control

Traction control, a safety feature designed to prevent slippage of wheels, is part of the standard safety package.

Fuel Economy

(4/5)

Compact SUVs generally have a high fuel efficiency rating, which makes them more attractive to buyers. The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is also quite fuel efficient, especially if you opt for the entry-level trim.

Engine size

Eclipse Cross runs with the help of a turbocharged and intercooled inline-4 engine.

Gas per mileage consumption

The base variant happens to be the most efficient of the lot, offering 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Interior

(4/5)

The interior of the Eclipse Cross is overall good enough for a budget SUV. It comes with high quality and durable materials for the trimmings, a stylish flair, and a roomy cargo area.

Seats

With a seating capacity of 5, the interior of the Eclipse Cross is not particularly spacious, but it’s just adequate. The front seats have a 39.5 inch head room and 40.9 inch leg room, with sueded microfiber as the standard upholstery. The 8-way power driver’s seat comes with a height adjustable feature and multi-level heating, and it’s comfortable enough for long hours of driving.

Design

The interior of the vehicle is designed with practicality in mind. While the exterior boasts a bold and aggressive style, the cabin prioritizes comfort and convenience.

Infotainment

The infotainment system is nothing remarkable, but it’s good at this price point. This lineup’s basic offering is a 7-inch touchscreen display, which gets upgraded to a bigger 8-inch screen for middle and upper trims. The base ES model hardly has any standard infotainment features—key things like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, etc. are available as standard for the other trims.

Overall height and space

The vehicle is 173.4 inches long, 71.1 inches wide, and 66.5 inches in height. It has a total passenger volume of 95 cubic feet, whereas the curb weight is 3496 pounds.

Trunk space

When all the seats are upright, the basic cargo capacity is 23.4 cubic feet. You can maximize this to 50.1 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats.

Price and Extras

(4/5)
When it comes to the pricing of this lineup, there’s not much to complain about. The price tags are based on the amount of features available in the trim level, and they are all pretty affordable.

Market Price

The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross comes in 5 trim levels—ES, LE, SE, SEL, and Ralliart. Buyers usually look for the most value for money model, and for that our pick would be middle trim SE. It comes with a host of standard driver assist and safety features as well as some key comfort elements like dual-zone climate control.

Trim Level Base Price
ES $27,090
LE $28,340
SE $29,340
SEL $30,590
Ralliart $31,936

AWD/FWD

All-wheel drive is the standard setup in all trim levels.

Warranty 

The vehicle is covered by a powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, which is pretty impressive. It also comes with a limited warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles and rust warranty of 7 years or 100,000 miles. However, despite these impressive warranty offerings, this Mitsubishi SUV doesn’t have complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Extras

It has a maximum towing capacity of 1500 pounds.

Verdict

The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross presents a mixed bag of attributes that may appeal to some buyers while leaving others underwhelmed. Driving enthusiasts seeking an exhilarating experience on the road might find the unimpressive driving demeanor of the Eclipse Cross to be a significant drawback. However, for those who prioritize a smooth and composed ride, this could be a boon.

Inside the cabin, the Eclipse Cross offers a decent experience, but it falls short of standing out as something special. More extensive equipment and upgrades could have elevated the overall feel and appeal of the interior. One glaring issue with the Eclipse Cross is its base trim, which feels too basic and lacks the standard features that many buyers expect in this segment. This may deter potential customers seeking better value and modern amenities.

On the positive side, the Eclipse Cross caters to those in search of a comfortable and composed vehicle for city cruising. If urban driving is your primary focus, this car could suit your needs well.

Despite its strengths, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the competition in this segment is fierce. Rival models like the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 offer superior features, driving dynamics, and overall value, making them more compelling options for discerning buyers.

So while the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross may find its niche among city cruisers and draw them in with its bold styling, it falls short in comparison to its rivals, lacking the standout features and driving prowess that could make it a top contender in the highly competitive compact SUV market.