The road to Wollongong
Cara wagstaff puts the all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS SUV through its paces to see just how family-friendly it is.
I’ve got Australia’s newest SUV at my fingertips and am heading to Wollongong to test her out. Positioned in between the ASX and Outlander size-wise, the Eclipse Cross is the first of Mitsubishi’s new-generation models, which means it’s all-new from the ground up. The Eclipse Cross focuses on both comfort and connectivity without compromising on safety for families.
We’ve made great use of the flexible boot space, with its eight-way adjustable back seat, to pack for our weekend. The sliding seat base proves to be perfect for families with little ones with even littler legs who, like us, need to squeeze extra gear into the boot.
I slip into the spacious, elevated front seat and take in the smorgasbord of technology in front of me. There’s an LCD screen with the outside temperature and ECO Drive Support System and a seven-inch touch screen with the ability to access Apple Car Play and Android Auto, all controlled by a scrolling touchpad. As soon as I connect my phone, I’m able to use my maps navigation app, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music and podcasts.
The vehicle is also equipped with a reversing camera, seven air bags, forward collision mitigation (FCM), lane departure warning (LDW) and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, so parents can feel confident knowing systems are in place to keep attention and focus on the road. I feel like we’re in safe hands as we cruise into holiday mode.
On the road
We decide to take the scenic route, turning off into the Royal National Park to put the Eclipse through its paces on the winding Grand Pacific Drive as well as taking the opportunity to relish its scenery. While I love the contemporary, European-style design of the SUV – which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, stylish coupé lines, carbon and piano black accents and brushed alloy finishes inside – my partner likes the 1.5-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder engine, which he says gives the Eclipse the right amount of power. It’s highly responsive and handles well when accelerating up a steep incline or overtaking. He’s also a fan of the adjustable steering wheel which enables him to set up a comfortable driving position.
The Royal National Park hugs the eastern coast line of Sydney’s south and is made up of cliffs, eucalyptus trees and secluded beaches. Popular tourist activities include enjoying a picnic at Wattamolla lagoon, taking in the
views at Wedding Cake Rock and, for the more active families, hiring a canoe at Audley Boatshed. The highlight of our drive is the Sea Cliff Bridge, a cantilever bridge hovering over the Tasman Sea. We make a pit stop to soak up the views before continuing on our way.
Wollongong wows
We arrive at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach late in the afternoon, but the sun is still shining. The garage is underground and, despite being in a larger vehicle than I’m used to, the Eclipse handles well around the tight turns and bends of the car park.
The Novotel is a family favourite and we’ve stayed here several times and frequent the beachfront hotel for its prime location and spacious (and recently renovated) rooms. There is a swimming pool and even a kids’ play area in reception with Nintendo, games, books and puzzles.
Although our visit is a few months too early, families travelling to Wollongong in the winter school holidays must head to The Deck to enjoy the hotel’s open-air beachside ice rink. Sessions will be held every day, with tickets on sale from May.
The following morning, after a buffet breakfast in Windjammers Restaurant – where we enjoy the complimentary coffee cart and ocean views, and the kids are all over the DIY pancake machine – we start our journey back to Sydney in the Eclipse.
We take the Princes Highway route home, which gives us a chance to get a feel for what the SUV would be like on longer road trips. The first thing I notice is the cabin is surprisingly quiet. With the four-cylinder engine creating 110 kilowatts of power and 250 newton metres of torque, my partner puts the sports mode manual override to use, which is controlled with the paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.
The Eclipse Cross’ combination of safety, connectivity and comfort, and a side of Wollongong hospitality, have made for an excellent weekend away. Now to convince my partner we need one to keep!