A Compact Crossover with Style
The 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is doing battle in the hottest segment of the auto market. It does so with a appealing design, an attractive entry price, two or four-wheel drive, and an excellent warranty. But will this be enough for buyers to give it a try?
Drivetrain
The S-AWC, Super All-Wheel Control, not All-Wheel Drive, 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque is delivered through an eight-speed constant variable transmission (CVT) with Sport mode and paddle shifters. Super All-Wheel Control is Mitsubishi’s terminology and philosophy for their proprietary all-wheel drive system.
The EPA rates fuel economy at 25 mpg city/26 highway/25 combined, which is mid-to-low for this category. Ratings for AWD key competitors include the Subaru Crosstrek at 27 city/33 highway/30 combined; the Toyota RAV4 27/34/30; and the Honda CR-V at 40/35/38 (and that’s not counting the hybrid or plug-in hybrid models from those three automakers).
Over 215 miles Clean Fleet Report averaged 26.2 mpg. In an all-freeway run of 100 miles, with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph and in the driver-selectable Eco mode, we averaged 28.7 mpg. This is just shy of the 30 mpg that we feel all crossover SUVs should get on the highway. Fuel economy reported by Clean Fleet Report is non-scientific and represents the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.
The engine and transmission combination was good around town and very quiet when on the highway. But during hard acceleration or passing on the highway, the 1.5L turbocharged engine was straining and working hard. Being in Sport mode and using the paddle shifters helped a bit by holding the CVT in a power band for more pull, resulting in 0 – 60 runs at about 8.8 seconds.
We did not have the need or opportunity to test the S-AWC system in inclement weather, or in challenging road conditions. The system is controlled by a wheel, where the options of Snow and Gravel could have been selected.
Driving Experience: On the Road
The Eclipse Cross feels all of its 3,516 pounds when taking corners even a bit faster than the posted speed. The suspension is engineered for comfort, so body lean and the light steering feel made us lift off the accelerator and take corners a bit slower. The 18-inch, black-painted wheels shod with 225/55 Bridgestone Ecopia tires were not much help when cornering swiftly.
The handling didn’t get any better on Southern California’s freeways, where the concrete surfaces have been grooved for water dispersement. At 65+ mph the Eclipse Cross absorbed small bumps well, but there was another issue that only reducing speed remedied. The Eclipse Cross, at freeway speeds, moved back-and-forth to the point of producing an obvious rocking sensation. The soft suspension, at certain speeds in certain conditions, gave a sensation of not being planted to the road. Of course we were securely on the road, it just felt that way at times.
The electric power steering was light on the road, but was just right in town for parking and maneuvering at slow speeds. Stopping was straight and true with no fading from the four-wheel disc, ABS system, with electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, active stability and traction control.
Driving Experience: Exterior
Mitsubishi says the 2020 Eclipse Cross is its “dynamic crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that is the standard-bearer for Mitsubishi styling.†Clean Fleet Report agrees the Eclipse Cross is different from the other Mitsubishi crossovers, with the best design of them all. The hood has a downward slope, with extra chrome on the “dynamic shield†design concept of the front grille. The LED headlights wrap sleekly around the fender, while the LED fog lights sit on the outer edges of the lower front fascia.
From the side view, the coupe-like styling creates a front-to-rear upsweeping belt line, for a pleasant flow. The rear-sloping roof includes the dual-pane panoramic sunroof, rack rails, a color-keyed shark fin antenna, and ends in an integrated spoiler over the rear hatch window. The rear LED combination tail lights sit above a chrome strip and the Mitsubishi three diamond chrome badge. The Pearl White paint glimmered in the sunlight.
The split rear window is not unique to the Eclipse Cross, but that does not make it any more desirable as a design feature as it affects rearward vision.
Driving Experience: Interior
The interior on our Eclipse Cross SEL was fully optioned, including the very convenient and helpful color head-up display, or HUD. Hard plastic and desired soft touch materials were about evenly split on the doors and dash. The dash layout is simple, accommodating and clean, with easy to find controls. The simplicity of the dash layout made reading gauges (black faces and white numbers) easy on the eyes, and features such as the On/Off Start button were convenient to find and use. The piano black and silver accent pieces add an upscale touch.
The 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL with the Touring Package ($2,100 option) comes with a 7.0-inch monitor that houses the 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate premium sound system, which has nine speakers, a 10-inch subwoofer and a built-in equalizer. The system came with SiriusXM (three-month trial subscription), digital HD AM/FM/CD radio, MP3, USB port with iPod connectivity, Aux-in jacks, Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free telephone. The system is compatible for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The auto-dimming rearview mirror was Homelink equipped.
Clean Fleet Report staff are big fans of knobs for the radio, but even on the upgraded audio system there were none. While the audio system worked fine and sounded great, the whole thing needs upgrading. We did like the dual zone climate control selectors being large and easy to operate.
The Eclipse Cross says it can seat three adults on the leather 60/40-split bench rear seat, but for anything more than for around town, two adults would be more comfortable. Rear legroom was good, and the rear seat slides and reclines. On the SEL trim package the outbound seats are heated, but they could use more padding and sculpted backs. Storage was good with the rear seat up, and much improved when folded flat.
Upfront, the leather seats, with top stitching, are heated with the driver’s eight-way power adjustable, and four-way manually for the passenger. Bolstering for the front seats was pretty good, and the leather-wrapped and heated, tilt and telescopic steering wheel has audio and telephone controls.
Other nice interior features are the rear seat folding armrest with cup holders, rear heater floor ducts, heated and power outside mirrors with turn signals, lighted extendable sun visors, and 12-volt accessory outlets, one each front and rear. In addition to the steering wheel, the shift knob was covered in black leather.
Convenience and Safety
The 2020 Eclipse Cross came with convenience features, including rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, child safety rear door locks, rear window wiper, remote and passive keyless entry, rear cargo tie-down hooks, tire pressure monitoring system with a temporary spare, electronic parking brake, hill start assist, remote engine start, an anti-theft security alarm and anti-theft immobilizer.
Standard or optional safety equipment include front, side, curtain and knee airbags, lane change departure warning, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and park assist sensors.
With a two-year subscription trial, Mitsubishi Connect gives owners a telematic system that connects them to a call center for emergencies; certain emergencies are reported automatically through the 4G LTE cellar modem and GPS.
The 2020 Eclipse Cross received a 5 Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA. This is the highest rating. The model received a Good overall from the IIHS.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a base price of $22,995. Clean Fleet Report’s Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC had a base price of $28,595. With $2,830 in optional equipment, the MSRP was $31,425. All listed prices do not include the $1,095 destination and handling charge.
The Eclipse Cross comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Anti-Corrosion – Seven years/100,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL 1.5T S-AWC
The 2020 Eclipse Cross is trying to get traction in the hot and getting hotter, compact crossover segment (check out the extensive and diverse list below!). Its competitors get more notice and sell in larger numbers, giving Mitsubishi even a steeper challenge. If they could get consumer’s attention, they can tout a well-equipped small crossover for under $23,000. Mitsubishi can be proud of the features, design, warranty, safety rating, utility and low entry price. This is a compelling story.
Mitsubishi could address a few areas for the Eclipse Cross, specifically the ride and suspension, and upgrading the infotainment system.
You will never know unless you visit a Mitsubishi dealer, take a test drive, and then decide if the Eclipse Cross is right for you.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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