SUV hits the mark

IT may be over a century old but Mitsubishi is very much up to date with the Eclipse Cross SUV. The normally conservative Japanese car-maker is now part of the Renault-nissan Alliance and the Eclipse Cross is the last to be designed and built before it was subsumed, but that’s not to decry its all round excellence. The two-wheel-drive (2WD) versions are cheaper to buy and run in terms of tax and insurance. It is worthy SUV to stand side by side with more familiar similar models from Renault and Nissan even if the Japanese brand cannot offer the breadth of coverage of its siblings. Falling between the ASX and Outlander, the Eclipse Cross is right on the mark in terms of size and it comes with an eye-catching style and modern interior. That means it relies on the users’ mobile phones to integrate with the on-board software to drive maps and music and in some areas where signals are poor you could be left wanting. The four-wheel-drive (4WD) powertrain is effortless and effective on soft-road conditions, the engine is reasonably powerful but does not have a sporting nature to acceleration, partly because of the CVT underneath. The gearchanges are smooth both up and down the box, and the noise level is modest from the transmission. The engine is generally quiet unless you do drive it hard to make the most of the available power, and it will effortlessly cover long motorway or main road trips. I was expecting a better overall economy figure than achieved. The major and minor controls all came to hand easily and worked well, the steering was fluid, the brakes moderately weighted and effective and the column stalks were comprehensive. It’s roomy for four, a slight squeeze for five, but the access is very good for people and pushing things in the back over the low sill, and the minimum capacity is good and more than triples when you drop the seats. They are very comfortable, sensibly shaped. Oddments room is good throughout and it will tow up to 1,600kg so its very practical for those living in the country. The modern styling has created a high shoulder to the rear three-quarters and a blindspot, but the fitting of parking sensors and reversing camera has largely overcome this drawback, but it still means you have to be careful not to clip something or someone. On the road the tyres’ rumble and suspension bump-thump is ever present and the engine can intrude as well on occasions but there is little other mechanical or wind noise. The Eclipse Cross rides well nevertheless and soaks up most bumps without too much complaint, virtually no body roll or pitching and it feels really well put together.