Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

While some might struggle to a name a single Mitsubishi car, the company has found new life with its line of small SUVs. The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the newest member of the 3-diamonds team, offering an interesting alternative to mainstays like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson. The Eclipse Cross offers unique styling, an impressive feature set and one of the best new-car warranties in the business, now rivaling those of Hyundai and Kia. While the 5-passenger Eclipse Cross offers similar pricing as its main rivals, it falls short in the area of resale, and is too new to assess long-term reliability. Still, there is a certain charm about this SUV that makes it worthy of a test drive.

Despite having “Eclipse” in its name, the 2019 Eclipse Cross is no sports car. Then again, for a compact-crossover SUV, the driving feel is sure and steady, with good feedback from the steering wheel. Cornering ability is confident, just short of the Mazda CX-5, but definitely more athletic than the Hyundai Tucson. Despite its turbocharged engine, power is the Eclipse Cross’s Achilles’ heel, with only 152 horsepower making it one of the weaker offerings in this segment. The short wheelbase and tight turning radius make it easy to maneuver in cramped spaces, but the high-swept beltline and high back end make rear visibility somewhat lacking. Order the top-of-the-line SEL and you get a better view thanks to its multi-view rear camera and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is among the smaller entries in the compact-SUV segment, but it’s pretty well packed with an appealing collection of standard and available features. While cargo and passenger room are both below the category averages, a sliding/reclining/split-folding rear seat helps to reshape the interior according to the needs of the day. Available feature highlights include a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, a head-up display and an upgraded infotainment system that features a console-mounted touch-pad controller like those found more often on luxury models. We found the passenger cabin attractive and comfortable overall.

The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an unusually styled entry in the compact-SUV segment, a distinction that’s sure to be among the vehicle’s biggest draws for some, and a non-starter for others. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. Compared to its more upright competitors, the Eclipse Cross’s sloping rear gives it a profile slightly more reminiscent of the sportier, coupe-like SUV variants gaining traction in luxury segments.

MITSUBISHI CONNECT
To help keep in touch with your high-tech world, the Eclipse Cross offers Mitsubishi Connect, a subscription-based telematics service offering such helpful features as remote lock/unlock, automatic collision notification and parental notifications identifying speed, location and curfew alerts.

WARRANTY
Up until now, if you wanted a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty combined with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, you had two choices: Kia or Hyundai. You can now add Mitsubishi to the list, making the Eclipse Cross’s long-term reliability guess a bit less risky.

At its starting sticker price of $24,590, the front-wheel-drive 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES features a 7-inch touch-screen audio system, rearview camera, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, automatic climate control and alloy wheels. The LE brings standard all-wheel drive, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18-inch alloy wheels and a rearview camera. The SE brings blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist, as well as Mitsubishi Connect, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In addition to a variety of cosmetic upgrades inside and out, a fully loaded 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL includes all-wheel drive, leather seating, power driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, upgraded 7-inch display with touch-pad controller, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Mitsubishi Connect telematics services, 710-watt/9-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, multi-view camera system, head-up display and passive entry/push-button start. A full suite of driver-assist and safety technologies includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, auto high beams, forward-collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control. For all that and more, you’re looking at a sticker price just north of $32,500.

The Eclipse Cross is offered with one 4-cylinder engine, one continuously variable automatic transmission and essentially one drive system. While the Eclipse Cross ES base model is available in front-wheel drive (FWD), the balance of the lineup is offered exclusively with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The Eclipse Cross is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds.

1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
152 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/29 mpg (ES FWD), 25/28 mpg (ES AWD), 25/26 mpg (LE, SE, SEL AWD)