Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Review

Let me get this out of the way - I like this Mitsubishi Eclipse. I’m not going to go into the name and where it comes from - you can read more about that here. What I will say, however, is that I feel as though this has the potential to become Mitsubishi's volume seller in a market that hasn’t been kind to the Japanese manufacturer in recent years.

Thanks to cars like well, the Eclipse from the Fast and the Furious franchise (ok, so I went into the name after all), the Evo and the 3000GT to list a few, the Mitsubishi name was once a very desirable one and every petrolhead knew what lies under the bonnet of those machines.

These days, however, it’s a different story. The brand is more of a leisure and lifestyle brand with vehicles such as the ASX, Outlander, Pajero, Triton and now the Eclipse Cross. And while I do miss the sports cars, the folks at Mitsubishi have a business to run after all, which is to make money, and they need vehicles that appeal to the masses. So, we concede.

Design

With the Eclipse Cross, I think if the buying public gave it a chance, it could truly impress and prosper in SA – and be competitive against rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

The first thing I actually noticed when I climbed inside was how it felt like a Korean SUV. The interior features dark materials and the styling is inoffensive. There are no risks taken or any design quirks, it’s straightforward, neat and somewhat sophisticated. However, it’s on the outside that the Eclipse Cross compact SUV sets itself apart with a narrow grille, angular headlamps, large fog lights, coupe-like side profile and a split window at the back.

This window does, however, make it difficult to actually see cars behind you in your rear-view mirror. Or maybe it’s me, and I’m just too small to see over the split?

Features

Standard nice-to-haves include a reverse camera, rear park distance control and a well-appointed cabin including a HUD (head up display), multi-function leather steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and more. That includes reclining rear seats, seven airbags and keyless entry.

Impressive standard spec and well-appointed cabin

Safety features include traction control, 7 airbags and a hill-start function. Optional extras include a 7” touchscreen Infotainment system with built-in GPS that can connect to your phone via Bluetooth. This system allows the driver to carry out commands through Voice Control.

How does it go?

On the road, I really enjoyed driving the Eclipse Cross. It’s nothing to get excited about, I’m not going to lie about that, but when you do a 1 hour 30-minute commute to work at back, you appreciate things like a CVT gearbox that moves through six “steps” with ease. This is paired with Mitsubishi's 2.0-litre MIVEC petrol engine.

Customers will have the choice of a 4x2 or AWD version. The engine pushes out 110kW at 6 000 rpm and 198Nm of torque at 4 200 rpm. I found it to be an easy drive both in the city and on the open roads.

Okay, let’s wrap this up

Overall, I walked away from the Eclipse feeling genuinely impressed. Like I said, it feels like its Korean counterparts in many ways, and in this day and age, that’s actually a compliment considering how well those vehicles do, after all, sell rather well. I’m hoping that the Eclipse Cross does the same for Mitsubishi. It certainly deserves a chance.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 Spec:

Included is Mitsubishi's 3 year/100 000km warranty, a 5-year/90 000 km service plan and a 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance.