8 things to know about the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
8 things to know about the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Posted on November 29, 2023
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a vehicle that has always fascinated me, both for the audacity of its name and its avant-garde design. Upon its arrival in the market, the Japanese manufacturer's SUV was heavily criticized by the press. It must be said that its unique appearance and concept set it somewhat apart from the competition. Ironically, there are now several vehicles on the market today that resemble the Eclipse Cross, which is why I find the model so interesting. It is clear that designers from other manufacturers may not admit it, but I remain convinced that the Eclipse Cross served as inspiration for many of them.
If, like me, you grew up with the Fast and Furious saga, the Eclipse is anything but a utility sports vehicle for you. It was a risky move to draw on this designation from the brand's past for the model, but I believe Mitsubishi did well in the end. The use of well-known names is becoming increasingly popular, especially when transitioning from a car to an SUV. Once again, Mitsubishi was ahead of its time with this idea.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross falls into the same category as the RVR, but they are quite different from each other, avoiding direct competition. The Eclipse Cross borrows practically no elements from the RVR, and this is also true mechanically. It is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, while its little brother features naturally aspirated engines. In the case of the Eclipse Cross, it boasts a power output of 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which is more than sufficient for a model of this size. This is paired with a continuously variable transmission, one of the most efficient on the market. As if that wasn't enough, the Japanese manufacturer's SUV also benefits from standard all-wheel drive. This all-wheel-drive system is also the result of many successful years in rallying for Mitsubishi. In short, I can tell you that the Eclipse Cross's road behavior is very pleasant, especially when road conditions are less than ideal.
Now that you know the Eclipse Cross on the surface, I'd like to delve deeper into eight features that make the model such an interesting vehicle.
1 — Simple Connectivity
The multimedia system of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is already very user-friendly, but the Japanese manufacturer designed it to offer an optimal experience through connection with your smartphone. Navigation is fast, simple, and very smooth, which is not always the case. Overall, this makes the Japanese manufacturer's SUV even more interesting.
2 — Bird's Eye View Camera
This is the kind of technology that is generally found only on trucks or large luxury vehicles. Mitsubishi decided that the Eclipse Cross should also be equipped with it, and that's excellent news. This technology makes city parking significantly easier and more enjoyable.
3 — 2,000 Pounds
Most subcompact SUVs cannot tow at all due to the weakness of their chassis, transmission, or simply their engine power. When it's possible, the towing capacity is usually around 1,000 pounds only. This is where the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross stands out from the competition, as it can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
4 — Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
I regularly test drive vehicles, and if there's one thing that varies greatly from one model to another, it's the calibration of adaptive cruise control. In the case of the Eclipse Cross, it is definitely on point. The system is precise and not too rigid, making the experience much more enjoyable.
5 — Heads-Up Display
Once again, this is the kind of technology you'd expect to find in more expensive or prestigious models, but it's something the Eclipse Cross offers. However, instead of displaying on the windshield, the heads-up display takes place on a small piece of plastic positioned behind the dashboard. This makes it clearer and allows for better focus.
6 — Unique Colors
The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offers one of the most beautiful color palettes in its category, featuring shades like metallic bronze, pearlescent octane blue, and premium diamond red.
7 — Reasonable Fuel Consumption
Most small SUVs equipped with turbocharged engines and standard all-wheel drive tend to be quite fuel-hungry, but that's not the case with the Eclipse Cross, which boasts an average consumption of 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 L/100 km on the highway.
8 – 10 Years or 160,000 Kilometers
This is something common to all Mitsubishi models, but it's often overlooked in our shopping considerations. Most vehicles are covered by a basic warranty of 3 years or 60,000 kilometers and a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 100,000 kilometers. However, in the case of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, it offers a basic warranty of 5 years or 100,000 kilometers and a powertrain warranty of 10 years or 160,000 kilometers. This single argument carries significant weight in the decision-making process.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier