Eclipse is ready to cross swords

Mitsubishi’s new mid-sized SUV is looking to take on some very serious players. Carmel Stewart assesses its chances

Hoping to Eclipse all others in the overcrowded SUV market, the newest vehicle from Mitsubishi has a big challenge ahead.

Slotting between the ASX and the Outlander, the Eclipse Cross brings the Japanese manufacturer, famous for its off-roading, robust workhorses, into the highly competitive mid-sized SUV market for the first time although making serious inroads into this segment is a big ask.

But Mitsubishis are made of stern stuff. This is, after all, the company which brought us the Outlander, the Shogun and the L200 as well as the Lancer Evo.

In many ways the Eclipse is an uncomplicated vehicle. One engine – a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 161bhp petrol – and two transmissions – six-speed manual for the 2WD version and an all-new “eight-speed” CVT automatic for both 2WD and 4WD.

It is good looking too with a sporty stance, coupe-like roof line, flared wheel arches and big bumpers front and rear.

The spacious cabin is well put together with a cockpit style set-up up front, clearly delineated dash, rear seats which recline and slide and, what would be great all-round visibility, but for the split rear window. I am assured drivers get used to it in time but on test it proved a slight source of irritation.

At 448 litres the boot is spacious enough to carry four golf bags.

On the road, the fourcylinder, 161bhp engine proved very flexible with plenty of low down grunt well balanced with top end power. Handling was composed and solidly stable with bumps and ruts absorbed by the well setup suspension.

Opt for the 4WD auto version and ‘super all-wheel control’ with selectable driving modes is included. This is essentially Mitsubishi’s version of intelligent four-wheel-drive which sends torque to where it is needed most.

The Eclipse is very reasonably priced at £21,275 and well specified with trims straightforwardly designated 2, 3 and 4, plus the top spec First Edition which comes in at £26,825. An automatic transmission adds to the final tally as does the 4x4 option.

The entry level Eclipse Cross 2 includes 16-inch alloys, rear view camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, cruise control, front collision mitigation and lane departure warning.

A step up to 3 and 4 adds more kit and more money. The First Edition will be the hardest to find and the easiest to see. Limited to 250 vehicles, it includes Mitsubishi’s diamond red metallic paint finish, First Edition badging and styling highlights.

Technologies available on the Eclipse include smartphone connectivity whereby information from your iPhone is displayed on a seven-inch screen but a word of warning - no smartphone means no sat nav or on-the-go information. Other techie stuff – not dependent on phone ownership – incudes forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Clearly, the competitively priced, well-specified Eclipse is going to take some of the shine off other manufacturers’ sales figures. Just how much remains to be seen.