The Eclipse Cross surprised us a bit when it debuted last year. Here's a crossover SUV with a peppy engine, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and very strong value for the money in terms of available features. Unfortunately, it's hampered by a deeply subpar suspension that hurts ride quality and handling, making the small crossover a chore on anything but smooth, straight pavement. It's also not the most practical option if you need an SUV to carry lots of stuff.

Depending on what you need and want from a small crossover, and the size of your budget, the Eclipse Cross can make a case for itself, offering more standard features in lower trim levels than competitors. But there's a reason the Eclipse Cross falls relatively low in our rankings since many competitors offer significantly more refinement, comfort and utility.

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross models

The 2019 Eclipse Cross is a small SUV with seating for five that comes in five trim levels, starting with the bare-bones ES and moving up to the well-equipped SEL S-AWC. Only one engine is available: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder (152 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque) that's connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is standard on all but the base ES trim, which is front-wheel-drive.

Standard equipment on the ES trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, foglights, and heated side mirrors. Inside, you'll find a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide and recline, a rearview camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, a USB port, and a four-speaker sound system. Stepping up to the ES S-AWC adds all-wheel drive.

Next up is the LE S-AWC. It adds black exterior trim pieces with black 18-inch alloy wheels. The infotainment system is upgraded to a 7-inch screen with a remote touchpad controller mounted near the shift lever. This system also gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, a second USB port and voice controls.

The SP S-AWC is essentially identical to the LE, but it adds a larger rear spoiler and extended airdams for a sportier look.

Our favorite of the mix is the SE S-AWC. It gets a bunch of upgrades such as proximity entry with push-button start, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, illuminated vanity mirrors, heated front seats, upgraded fabric upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-speaker stereo system, dual-zone climate control, and a rear-seat center armrest. The SE also comes with Mitsubishi Connect, a subscription that adds an SOS and emergency roadside assistance button and a remote tracker. It also provides the ability to remotely control climate settings, door locks, horn, lights, vehicle settings, and parental controls from a cellphone.

The range-topping SEL S-AWC adds full LED headlights, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a head-up display, and a surround-view parking camera system. The Touring package, exclusively available for the SEL trim, includes a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a premium Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker stereo system, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, automatic high beams, and extra safety features such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

A towing package is available for all trim levels, which adds a tow hitch and a wiring harness.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL w/ Touring package (turbo 1.5L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

Driving

7.0

The Eclipse Cross is a mixed bag in terms of performance. The turbocharged engine makes it quicker than rivals, and the brakes are easy to modulate. Unfortunately, the steering is vague and handling is a mess. If you live on a mountain road with a lot of switchbacks, this car is not for you.

Acceleration

8.5

The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine gives the Eclipse Cross more thrust than most rivals. The engine feels strong up until about 40 mph when it starts running out of steam. That said, there's better passing power at highway speeds than others in the class. Its 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds is quicker than average.

Braking

8.0

The brake pedal stroke is short, with some initial bite and intuitive buildup as you press it. We measured a 60-0 mph panic-braking distance of 122 feet, which is a couple of feet shorter than others in this class. But the front end wiggles a bit under heavy braking.

Steering

6.0

The steering effort is very light and doesn't increase as you turn the wheel from center. Steering response feels natural at low speeds around town, but it is far too quick at highway speeds. Combine this highway sensitivity with its lack of effort buildup, and you get a vehicle that's hard to keep tracking straight without extra concentration.

Handling

5.0

Subcompact SUVs aren't known for thrilling driving dynamics, but the Eclipse Cross fails to live up to even those modest expectations. Body roll is apparent as soon as you begin turning the wheel, and it gets progressively worse through a turn. A series of back-to-back corners can be nauseating. Slow, deliberate turns are the best way to pilot the Eclipse Cross.

Drivability

8.5

The Eclipse Cross responds quickly to your gas pedal inputs, even with the Eco mode button pressed. As opposed to similar modes in other cars, you could drive the Eclipse Cross in the city all day in this mode. It's when you're executing passing maneuvers on the highway that Eco mode falls short. No problem, use Normal mode instead.

Comfort

6.0

The goodwill earned by the supportive, nicely shaped front and rear seats is undone by the subpar ride quality. You'll hear and feel every dip, ripple, bump and crack in the road, and the Eclipse's body will be upset the entire time. Outside noise bleeds into the cabin.

Seat comfort

8.0

The front seats are well-shaped and comfortable, though a bit narrow. The side bolsters won't keep you in place when going around corners — the cushioning gives way and the inside bolster rubs against the center console. The rear seats are high off the floor, leaving plenty of room to stretch.

Ride comfort

4.5

The Eclipse Cross is an overly soft-riding crossover. At low speeds, any dips will cause the Eclipse to heave mightily, while bumps will rock occupants slightly. Hit a transverse dip in the road, and you might leave your seat after the suspension rebounds. At higher speeds, the Eclipse Cross feels floaty and bumps are more pronounced.

Noise & vibration

6.0

There's no tire noise while cruising, but you'll hear small booms anytime the rubber hits a bump or rolls over broken pavement. The whoosh of turbulent air is constant at high speeds, but the engine is noisy no matter how fast you're going. At full throttle, it sounds like a broken Dyson vacuum cleaner.

Climate control

7.0

On hot and moderate days, the dual-zone automatic climate control system keeps the cabin comfortable — set it and forget it. But the system has a hard time figuring out where and how much warm air to send when it's cold outside. The heated steering wheel and heated seats only get lukewarm.

Interior

8.0

The Eclipse's interior is nicer than we've seen from Mitsubishi in a long time. The materials quality is above average, the infotainment system is easy to use, and there's a ton of room. We don't like the low-mounted steering wheel, raised seats, and unusually compromised entry and exit.

Ease of use

8.5

Most buttons are clearly labeled and easy to reach. The only exceptions are the trip computer controls (located behind the steering wheel, on the dash) and volume adjustments (buttons on the screen, on the passenger side). The center screen is a touchscreen, or you can use the touchpad to navigate. The touchpad doesn't let the cursor move diagonally, so you almost never make a mistake. It's much better than the touchpad operation used for Lexus and Acura systems.

Getting in/getting out

6.5

It's fairly easy to get into the driver's seat with the steering wheel raised and the seat fully lowered, but any other configuration would make it difficult to do so gracefully. The high-mounted rear seats and sloping roofline pose a challenge for entering and exiting the back. Ducking is required.

Driving position

7.0

The Eclipse's relatively roomy cabin provides the driver with plenty of fore and aft travel. That said, even with the seat in its lowest position, the driver sits up high. The seat bottom is highly adjustable, providing ample thigh support. The steering wheel has limited tilt-and-telescoping range.

Roominess

9.0

The Eclipse's greatest asset is its efficient use of space. Though only a few inches longer than most competitors, its front and rear legroom is on par with what compact crossovers offer. The same goes for headroom. The front feels slightly narrow because of the wide center console.

Visibility

7.5

A low hood and narrow pillars promote good forward visibility, but the high seating position and low roof might make it difficult to see stoplights without ducking. The rear pillars are thick, impeding visibility out of the rear side views.

Quality

8.5

The interior plastics are an interesting mix of piano black, faux carbon, faux nickel and soft-touch. There's very little of the hard, cheap stuff. Contrast stitching on the leather seats is a nice touch. The interior is a clear step above what we usually see from Mitsubishi. Our tester had no rattles. The only downside is that the doors sound tinny and hollow when you shut them.

Utility

7.0

The cargo hold is wide and tall, and load height is at mid-thigh, so most people won't have to bend over to load large items. Item storage is good up front but middling in the back. Car seats should fit easier than in rivals given the Eclipse's large back seat.

Small-item storage

6.5

Storage space is good up front — the door pockets hold two water bottles each, and there's a small tray beneath the center stack and a bin under the armrest. The cupholders have an anti-tip design but aren't secure while cornering. The rear door pockets are much smaller and the cupholders are tiny.

Cargo space

7.0

The Eclipse has one of the largest cargo holds in the class, with 22.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The angled opening might make it difficult to store large, boxy items. The rear seats don't fold flat. Dropped down, they increase available space to 48.9 cubes, which is good for the segment.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

The four LATCH anchors are exposed, making them a cinch to hook onto. The tethers are hidden beneath slits in the upholstery, about two-thirds of the way down the seatback. So they are slightly difficult to access, but at least you can reach them without removing the cargo cover.

Technology

8.0

The Eclipse Cross comes with a long list of driver aids, but most are only available on the top trim level. Even so, the 360-degree parking camera is a rarity in this class. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but we expect more USB ports for a modern crossover that can comfortably seat four.

Audio & navigation

8.5

The Rockford Fosgate audio system — part of the SEL-exclusive Touring package — is possibly the best in its class. There are both subwoofer and bass adjustments plus an enviable surround-sound setting. Ultra-low frequencies cause some bass distortion. Onboard navigation is not offered.

Smartphone integration

8.0

A single USB port is standard. LE models and above get an additional port and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. Phone pairing is quick, though we had to unpair and re-pair our phone to download the phone's address book.

Driver aids

8.0

The Eclipse Cross offers a ton of driver aids, including a surround-view parking camera and lane departure warning. Like many competitors, most of these high-end features are only available on the top trim level. Most systems worked intuitively and unobtrusively.

Voice control

6.5

You must read the owner's manual for a list of supported commands because there are few on-screen instructions and the system doesn't recognize natural speech. However, you can reach your connected phone's Google or Siri interface by holding down the voice button longer. Phone calls and voice command prompts sound muddled as if the audio only uses one speaker.

Scorecard

Overall	7.1 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	6.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

5(50%)

4(50%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

4.5

4 reviews

Write a review See all 4 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Good all around cuv

EC in PA,12/21/2019

ES 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

First of all, this review is for the ES model. It has some very important differences from all the other models. It's the basic model with a manual hand brake and 16" wheels. All other models have the electric emergency brake and 18" wheels. This is important to remember because all of the "expert" reviews I have watched or read always test the more expensive models. Having 18" rims with

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Vladimir,09/29/2020

SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

A good small SUV. The ride is actually not as bad as advertised. I drove the care on mountain highway, and it held up pretty well, no rolling. I enjoy driving this vehicle. Front seats are very comfortable, and mold well to my body. Rear seats are sort of raised, and comfy as well. Visibility is good, although split rear windsheald / window take some adjusting to. I like the design of

Very nice vehicle after 2 years of commuting

GP,10/18/2020

SEL Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Not much storage space at back, but everything else is top shelf

Eclipse Cross

Robin Marsh,10/27/2020

SEL 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Love this car we bought 1 year ago, however, there are some features that you would think would be included with its vehicle as most cars get these as standard. 1. auto-lock when your driving 5mph or more 2. light in the glove box 3. button to open tailgate 4. lights on the bottom of the doors 5. Bluetooth while on phone only comes out of 1 speaker If this SUV had the above I would have

See all 4 reviews of the Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Write a review

Features & Specs

See all Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross specs & features

Safety

Our experts like the Eclipse Cross models:

Forward Collision Mitigation: Alerts the driver about an imminent collision and applies the brakes if necessary.
Lane Departure Warning: Monitors the car's position in a lane and warns the driver in the event of an unsignaled departure.
Blind Spot Warning: Warns the driver of approaching vehicles in adjacent lanes.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Good
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Honda CR-V
4.172414 average Rating out of 29 reviews.
Starting at $25,350
See Inventory

Mitsubishi Outlander
3.7777777 average Rating out of 9 reviews.
Starting at $24,895
See Inventory

Ford Escape
3.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $24,885
See Inventory

More about the 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Overview

The Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is offered in the following submodels: Eclipse Cross SUV. Available styles include LE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), SEL 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), ES 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), ES 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), SP 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), and SEL Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT).

What's a good price on a Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Price comparisons for Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross trim styles:

The Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES is priced between $17,850 and$18,499 with odometer readings between 37903 and43519 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Crosses are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for sale near. There are currently 2 used and CPO 2019 Eclipse Crosses listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $17,850 and mileage as low as 37903 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

Can't find a used 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Crosss you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for sale - 2 great deals out of 10 listings starting at $12,758.

Find a used Mitsubishi for sale - 7 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $19,747.

Find a used certified pre-owned Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for sale - 6 great deals out of 13 listings starting at $21,725.

Find a used certified pre-owned Mitsubishi for sale - 12 great deals out of 17 listings starting at $12,785.

Should I lease or buy a 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out Mitsubishi lease specials
Check out Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross lease specials

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Review

Get More For Your Trade-In

Which Eclipse Cross does Edmunds recommend?

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating