Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross… A Fired Up Economy Crossover

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The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been one of the surprise breakout hits of the US automotive marketplace of the past year.

While every major car-maker has been scrambling to field a line-up of SUVs and small car-based Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUV), Mitsubishi took advantage of the bruising lessons of the economic recession of a decade ago, to re-invent itself as a value oriented SUV/CUV brand.

Joining the stable of the mid-sized and compact SUV format Outlander, Outlander Sport and Outlander Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) — while still offering its unbeatably priced entry level subcompact Mirage G4 sedan and Mirage hatchback – the new Eclipse Cross has carved out a new sub-niche for itself.

Leveraging the once enormous popularity of the Eclipse sports coupe and convertible of recent decades, the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross found its sweet spot as sporty small utility vehicle with a rakish profile and an impressive list of options spread out over 5 trim levels.

With a standard 158 horsepower 1.5 liter turbo four cylinder engine, the Eclipse Cross is ready to run off the line and keeps pace comfortably at highway speeds with a modest mpg rating of 26 city/29 highway.

With a precision tuned sport suspension, the Eclipse Cross driving dynamics are sharp and agile with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) smoothly delivering efficient power and the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system integrating the command of each component around the 4WD system, improving safety and the comfort of the driving experience.

Advanced features like Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and a 5 star rating by the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) endorse the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross among a crowd field of competitors.

The Eclipse Cross struts its dynamic styling, high tech gear and road running swagger, like the sharpest dresser at a high fashion party. Front to back crisp angles and emotive character lines are accented by chrome finishes, dual rear glass panel liftgate and complex Halogen and LED front and rear lighting assemblies.

Inside supportive seating with 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split fold down rear seats and the rear seat Slide and Recline function, are available in sport cloth and stitched leather appointed upholstery options.

The center stack topping tablet touchpad screen is the convenient and intuitive command center for vehicle and nav info, and communications and entertainment as well as interfaces for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

With a price of $23,595 for the smartly appointed ES model to $30,695 for the glam SEL Touring, with the 710 watt Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system, the economy aspect of the new Eclipse Cross has becomes the sign of a smart consumer who knows that getting the performance and features you really want, isn’t automatically a budget buster.

The Mitsubishi brand has evolved through the nearly 40 years in the US market, starting out building power trains and vehicles for the Chrysler Dodge brands. Around the globe Mitsubishi trucks and SUVs are highly prized for durability in some of the harshest environments and challenging road and terrain driving conditions.

Mitsubishi is also an industry leader in shipping, home electronics, commercial and home climate control equipment and well known products such as Nikon cameras and even 3 Diamond Tuna Fish.

COMPETITION

Nissan Rogue Sport
Hyundai Sante Fe
Honda CR-V
Toyota C-HR
Chevrolet Equinox

Eclipse Cross Models & Pricing

ES – $23,595 with FWD; $24,195 with S-AWC
LE – $25,195 with S-AWC
SE – $26,695 with S-AWC
SEL – $28,195 with S-AWC
SEL TOURING PACKAGE – $30,695 with S-AWC