First drive: the new 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — As sedans slowly go the way of the dodo bird, crossovers have stepped in as the cool new kid everyone can’t wait to be friends with, and automakers are well aware of the buying public’s newfound fascination with them.
There’s very little to dislike about crossovers because they tend to check all the boxes: increased interior space, added ride height over a sedan, all-wheel drive, loaded with interior amenities and gadgets, and much more fuel efficient than their larger SUV brethren.
Mitsubishi Motors has noticed the rapid-fire crossover growth; now joining its RVR, Outlander and Outlander PHEV lineup, they’ve introduced an all-new compact crossover call the Eclipse Cross.
Not to be confused with the original Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car that appeared just over 25 years ago in North America, the new Eclipse Cross shares nothing mechanically with the original. It does, however, share a persona and performance ethos. The original Eclipse was known for its turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and fun nature on the road. The new Eclipse Cross offers all that, and more.
For starters, Mitsubishi Motors designers spared nothing when it came to the exterior look of the Eclipse Cross. From the all-new Mitsubishi front shield grille (found across the lineup now) to the rear that’s modern and linear, every angle on this car makes a statement. A strong shoulder line and muscular haunches give the impression that the Eclipse Cross is poised and ready to pounce.
Inside, the attention to detail is obvious. Quality materials are used throughout the cabin, and the seats are both roomy and supportive. You’ll find features such as a standard seven-inch display screen that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a little trackpad for navigation. A full-colour Head-Up Display (HUD) is available, providing the driver with real-time information such as speed and safety messages.
The trackpad has a bit of a learning curve and can be tricky to use at first. But all functions and menus can also be reached via the touchscreen or the steering wheelmounted buttons.
Other standard features include a backup camera, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), and all Eclipse Cross models are also equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.
Producing 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, this engine is paired with an eight-step CVT. What exactly does that mean? While it is a continuously variable transmission (in layman’s terms: no gears), with the use of steering-column mounted paddle shifters, you can “swap gears” at your own leisure should you wish to.
Mitsubishi Motors made it a point to engineer the Eclipse Cross drive to be as sporty as possible from the get-go, so you won’t find a “sport” button anywhere on the centre stack. While there are drive modes for snow and gravel or sand, the “sport” is always dialed in when driving the Eclipse Cross.
As we traversed the twisty, switchback roads around Malibu and Santa Monica, up and down canyon-pass roads, the Eclipse Cross performed surprisingly well for a vehicle its size. With a higher ride height, body roll was barely noticeable and steering was extremely precise. As a driver, I felt connected to the car and road at all times. The ride was a little firm at times, but that could be because of the 18-inch wheels with sport performance tires, as well as the slightly tuned suspension for better handling overall.
While no interior cargo-volume numbers or fueleconomy numbers are available yet, the most important number is always the price, and Mitsubishi Motors got this one right. Coming in at just under $28,000, the new Eclipse Cross will position itself perfectly in a market that’s already quite saturated. At the top of the trim level, the GT model’s pricing comes in just under $36,000, which might seem steep, but the list of standard features at that level is close to luxury-vehicle status, so it’s worth the premium. There’s even a special Diamond Edition, of which only 150 will be made. It can only be ordered online, and it features a special red five-coat paint process and other unique exterior design cues.
Going head-to-head with the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-5 is no small task, but the Eclipse Cross is up to the challenge with the best warranty in the business, a name that holds merit and legacy in Mitsubishi Motors’ roots, and the goods to back up the nameplate.
For more information, visit mitsubishi-motors.ca.