The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a Mitsubishi worth buying


Mitsubishi has struggled in recent years to stay competitive with the more advanced and generally better options from other automakers, the Eclipse Cross is a step in the right direction.


The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the company’s first major attempt at turning things around. It’s meant to reinvigorate the automaker by bringing back the Eclipse name in a popular segment. It will be interesting to see if this strategy pays off for the company.

Not The Sporty Crossover Mitsubishi Said It Was

The Eclipse name comes from the popular sporty coupe, and Mitsubishi wants to cash in on that name, but by bringing it to a compact crossover. However, the company writes a check that its vehicle simply can’t cash. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is not a sporty vehicle.

The fault is not the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s a reasonably peppy engine and makes 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It does around town driving with ease and even has enough spunk to make highway driving comfortable. It’s not a powerhouse, though, and you’ll be outpaced by other vehicles on the road.

The engine is mated to a stepped CVT, which means you can flip the shifter into manual mode and row through the gear ratios yourself if you want. It’s not a bad transmission as CVTs go, but it does have a tendency to make the engine drone on if you’re heavy with your right foot.

So, the engine and transmission are really okay. Not wildly sporty, but generally pretty good.

Still a Seriously Competent Competitor

What I find interesting is if the Eclipse Cross was not named after a sporty coupe, then I wouldn’t have minded as much about its lackluster performance. Because it had the Eclipse name associated with it, I wanted it to be sporty.

With that said, that’s not what this vehicle is about. It’s about getting people around comfortably and efficiently, and the Eclipse Cross does that well. It has a smooth ride, enough power, and a high seating height allowing you to see the road well.

It’s a good crossover vehicle - it’s just not sporty. If you manage your expectations, you’ll be pleased with the Eclipse Crosses performance.

Good But Not Amazing Inside or Out

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is one of the more unique looking crossovers on the road. The exterior—especially the rear of the car—makes it stand out from the competition. I’ve never had an issue with Mitsubishi’s styling of its vehicles. They look good, and the Eclipse Cross is no exception.



The interior is a lot blander than the exterior, but it works. Everything is functional.

The touchpad controller is better than other touchpad systems on the market due to its pure simplicity. It’s a swipe right, swipe left, and tap or click scenario, and it works well enough.

The seats offered decent support and bolstering, but on a long drive, you’re going to wish for more lower back support. The cargo space is okay. It’s a good usable space.

A Step Forward, But Still Lots of Work To Do

The bottom line is that the Eclipse Cross is the best crossover at Group 1 Mitsubishi yet. It’s a competent vehicle in every way, but it doesn’t stand out from the competition from Ford, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or General Motors.

It’s a notable step in the right direction for the brand, but it’s not revolutionary, and because of this, it won’t revolutionize the brand. Mitsubishi still has work to do to woo prospective buyers. The Eclipse Cross will draw in some people, but others will be pulled in by more sleek technology and better driving dynamics of the competitors.





Article source: https://artofgears.com/2019/04/10/2019-mitsubishi-eclipse-cross-worth-buying/

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