Looking to Eclipse other crossovers
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross that’s just gone on sale in SA is a fresh new coupe-like offering in an already congested SUV segment. Initially it’s available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants using a single petrol engine mated exclusively to a six-step CVT gearbox.
Despite its coupe shape which evokes Honda’s HR-V as the natural competitor, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has boldly identified the Toyota RAV4 as the main rival.
The new SUV is deceptive in size. The tape measure puts the Eclipse Cross at 200mm longer but 20mm lower than the segment sales leading Toyota and its ambitions have extended to the equally ample KIA Sportage which, it turns out, is a mere 80mm longer than the Mitsubishi. Pricing is also key. The front-wheel drive Eclipse Cross demands R399,995 while the all-wheel drive model will set you back R449,995.
BUYERS’ MESSAGE
In essence, what Mitsubishi is saying to potential buyers in this segment is to forego the urge to splurge out on the R386,995 Kia Sportage 1.6GDI Ignite a fairly attractive package in favour of the entry-level Eclipse Cross with a slightly more powerful but turboless engine.
Its manifesto against the Toyota is little more interesting. For about 7K less for the price of a front-wheel driven RAV4 2.0 GX auto, Mitsubishi offers the AWD Eclipse Cross.
With the money matters out of the way, does the new Mitsubishi impress as a new entry into the game? The interior is spacious upfront but the rear seats were suspect in the matter of squab length, which felt a touch shorter than usual and will be noticed easily by longerlimbed passengers.
It’s a decently decorated area with the typical Mitsubishi liking for black leather seating and dash colouring. The fit and finish cannot be faulted and the vehicle felt robust with little noise, vibration or harshness.
The central command area has a touchscreen set into the dashboard instead of the floating-type screens that are becoming more popular.
The 2.0l four-cylinder petrol engine has outputs of 110kW and 198Nm and the company expects that we won’t have issues with a CVT.
Well, Mitsubishi, you are wrong. A conventional automatic will have likely dealt better with the few demanding uphill roads I encountered on the media launch in the Darling area
THE REFINEMENT AND COMPOSURE OF THE ECLIPSE CROSS WHEN DRIVEN ON MOST TERRAIN IS TERRIFIC, AND MITSUBISHI’S SUSPENSION GURUS ARE RENOWNED