Not to be mistaken for the sporty coupe and convertible of yesteryear
Mass market appeal By David Miller The latest addition to the Mitsubishi family is the 2018 Eclipse Cross, a compact crossover aimed to appeal to the mass market buyer. It slots in between the entry-level RVR and its slightly-larger Outlander sport-utility. ▲
Don’t be confused by the Eclipse nameplate The Eclipse nameplate is well known for its sporty 2-door coupe performance. It was retired in 2011, but Mitsubishi has resurrected it for purposes of nostalgia, with the word “cross” attached at the end to designate its new intended purpose, other than appealing to the bravado it represented for the youth gone by. ▲
New Mitsubishi predates new alliance The Eclipse Cross may be the first all-new vehicle release since the formation of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, but its new Dynamic Shield design language pre-dates the alliance. The Outlander PHEV – another product recently released in Canada – might be a new entry, but possesses features from the 2014 Outlander gas version. ▲
“Bold and Spirited” Yes, we hear these terms bold and spirited countless times. In the case of the Eclipse Cross, it showcases edgy design cuts not common with current and past Mitsubishi products. A sloping roofline up front, a deep expressive cut down the body, and a split-window hatchback combine to create a sharp coupe-like design that stands out from the crowd. ▲
Large windows, mirrors, and standard rearview camera The horizontally-split rear window is the most noticeable feature on the crossover. It may seem to potentially cause rear visibility issues, but when driving, it isn’t the case and it does looks really cool. Visibility is also aided by extended side windows, large side mirrors and an effective standard rearview camera that gets enhanced by a multi-view camera in GT trim. ▲
What’s under the hood? Only one engine choice is offered: an all-new turbo, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The crossover offers up plenty of low-end torque at 2,000-3,500 RPM, working with a continuously variable transmission. ▲
A little give and take on the drive The Eclipse Cross gets going quickly thanks to its torque, but its CVT seems to slow the process down at higher speeds or while attempting to pass other commuters. Its sweet spot is found under gentle acceleration and at the speed limit – that’s where the Eclipse Cross turns into the quiet, smooth and effortless machine families will enjoy. ▲
Super All-Wheel Control comes standard Mitsubishi wants to show off its Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) – an advanced all-wheel drive system – by making it standard on all trim lines in Canada (front-wheel drive versions are available in the US). Torque vectoring distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, as well as side-to-side for continuous control and balance under various weather conditions. ▲
Better control and a sportier ride The Active Yaw Control system detects rotational forces immediately and can control driving, braking and steering angle habits much quicker than the driver. This allows for a sportier-tuned ride when tackling those tricky corners. It can also be a guardian of safety when met with poor driving or unexpected changes in the road. ▲
Steering is one of its best attributes To my surprise, the Eclipse Cross’ steering was also effortless and precise. The wheel has a good weight and size (I despise thick steering wheels!) with only minimal steering input needed when tackling winding roads. The combination of S-AWC, standard 18-inch alloy wheels and steering ease result in limited body roll and a relaxed driving experience. ▲
Good, but not great, fuel-efficiency The Eclipse Cross falls in the “not bad, but not great zone” for fuel efficiency. It’s rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 L/100 km on the highway for a combined 9.3. During my first drive program, I was able to manage a combined 9.6 L/100 km while driving mostly through long rural stretches at 80 km/h. ▲
Plenty of available safety equipment One has to jump to the second-tier SE trim to start receiving advanced safety equipment that includes Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. More safety technology is revealed at SE-S with Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control added to the mix. Lastly, the top-tier GT brings in the Multi-View Rear Camera system. ▲
Comfortable seats, ample gadgets, refined touches The drive is nice and relaxing, but the comfort and design of the interior will make you second guess whether you’re in a Mitsubishi – and that’s a good thing. The Eclipse Cross is a refreshing new take on the mundane Mitsubishi interiors of yesteryear, with comfortable seats, ample gadgets and refined touches surrounding a wraparound cockpit design. ▲
Modern touches A 7-inch touchscreen sits atop the dash, similar to what Mazda offers. It can be controlled by a touchpad controller situated to the right of the gear shift. Navigation as well as other apps can be found via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that come standard across the board. Connecting your mobile device is the only way to receive navigation. ▲
Firsts for Mitsubishi in North America A full-colour head-up display (HUD) and sunroof come standard on the GT trim. These are two firsts for Mitsubishi in North America, as the HUD can be adjusted according to seating position and customized to feature speed, safety technology, as well as a seat belt reminder. The sunroof has a front-section opening that’s new to Mitsubishi allowing more light into the cabin. ▲
Standard heated front seats and side mirrors Taken out of a page from Kia, the Eclipse Cross comes with heated front seats and side mirrors at the base level. There’s plenty of value to be found in that formula, but if you want the entire heating experience, opt for the top trim that includes a heated steering wheel. ▲
Rear seating can be snug Ample headroom and legroom are found up front, but individuals taller than 6-feet may find it slightly cramped in the back. The roofline closes off some headroom, but it’s in legroom where you will be asking for more. Luckily, the back seats can slide a touch for additional comfort. ▲
Cargo space is plentiful The Eclipse Cross doesn’t disappoint in the cargo department with 1,385 litres of space (1,382 litres with sunroof) behind the first row and 640 litres of trunk space (626 litres with sunroof). Its back seats have a convenient and straightforward slide-and-recline feature that allows a 60/40 split. ▲
Reasonably-priced for what you get The base ES starts at $27,798 which comes with standard highlights including all-wheel drive, LED daytime running lights, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-of-the-line Eclipse Cross GT clocks in at $35,998 decked out in leather, LED headlamps, power driver seat, heated rear seats, sunroof, HUD and heated steering wheel. ▲
Unique edition limited to 150 Not exactly sure why Mitsubishi felt compelled to make a special edition Eclipse Cross, but for those wanting to be unique, there’s a special Diamond Edition to be released shortly. It’s limited to 150 units and includes an exclusive 5-coat Red Diamond paint job, black painted wheels, front and rear bumper garnish, front and side extensions and special badging, all for $37,498. ▲
Targeting millennials and Gen-Xers The compact crossover segment is booming, and Mitsubishi hopes to take a slice of that pie by targeting millennials and Gen-Xers for its new Eclipse Cross. Even though the Japanese brand is after a younger demographic, they will have to fight tooth and nail with the likes of the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson, just to name a few. ▲
Currently at dealerships The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is currently available at dealerships. Mitsubishi continues to offer its impressive powertrain warranty of 10 years or 160,000 kilometres. ▲
Keyword: QUICK LOOK: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross