The Eclipse Cross is Mitsubishi's compact SUV that sits between the smaller Outlander Sport and larger Outlander. Just introduced in 2018, it's a relatively new competitor in the crowded SUV segment. It skipped the 2021 model year and received a refresh for 2022. It's unique and bold-looking, but even with its updates, the Eclipse Cross falls behind its rivals in most categories.
Mitsubishi updated the front and rear ends of the Eclipse Cross for 2022. Up front, it receives a revised bumper, grille and headlights, and its rear end sports a redesigned hatch and new rear window. The odd split rear window design is now a single window. Inside, the Eclipse Cross gets a new available 8-inch infotainment system touchscreen display. It's positioned closer to the driver and now includes volume and tuning knobs instead of the fussy buttons on the previous version. Lastly, Mitsubishi retuned the SUV's suspension for improved ride comfort and handling.
The Eclipse Cross looks better than before, and it has an improved touchscreen and a more pleasant ride. Among its other pluses are its roomy cabin, comfortable front seats and pricing that beats some competitors. However, the Eclipse Cross doesn't drive or handle very well, and it has lots of low-quality interior materials, dated tech and subpar fuel economy.
If you're considering other SUVs, there are plenty to choose from. Because of its tweener size, the Eclipse Cross competes against slightly larger SUVs such as the Honda CR-V but also the Subaru Crosstrek and Chevrolet Trailblazer, which are slightly smaller.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is offered in six trim levels: ES, LE, SE Special Edition, SE, SEL Special Edition and SEL. Each trim level is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque) that's connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The CX-30 is a smaller SUV, though not by much. It has less cargo space, but passenger room is about the same, though there is less rear head- and legroom in the Eclipse Cross. Both SUVs have subpar fuel economy, but that's where the similarities end because the CX-30 is the superior SUV. It drives and handles better, and it has a higher-quality interior, more standard driver aids and standard all-wheel drive. The Eclipse Cross' pricing is almost identical to the non-turbo CX-30, and if you have the budget, the turbocharged CX-30 boasts lots of power.
Don't be fooled by the Trailblazer's size. It packs more cargo room, similar front seat room and significantly more rear legroom than the Eclipse Cross. The Trailblazer is also more fuel-efficient and boasts superior tech and better build quality. Neither SUV handles well or accelerates quickly. And both offer just a few basic standard driver aids and pricing is similar. Though the Trailblazer doesn't shine in any category, it has more to offer than the Eclipse Cross.
The Honda CR-V offers significantly more cargo and passenger room despite being only 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the Eclipse Cross. The highly rated CR-V tops the Eclipse Cross in just about every category except pricing. And the Eclipse Cross' two highest trims are priced closely to the CR-V's two lowest trims, which still offer more value than the Mitsu. The CR-V is not only quicker and more powerful, but it is also more fuel-efficient, handles better and packs many more standard driver aids.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an extra-small SUV designed to compete with the Mazda CX-30, Kia Soul and Honda HR-V, among others. For the 2022 model year, Mitsubishi has made a variety of improvements to it. The Eclipse Cross is still the same model that debuted in 2018 but with new styling, an upgraded suspension and other improvements designed to enhance the overall driving experience.
The 2022 Eclipse Cross is powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine as previous versions. It makes 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and at low speeds on city streets it can feel energetic in certain situations. But in general, the engine is not particularly quick, quiet or refined. This sets the tone for the rest of the driving experience.
Pretty comfortable, actually. The Eclipse Cross exhibits a smooth ride on many road surfaces. Mitsubishi retuned the suspension springs and added larger rear shock absorbers. As a result the 2022 Eclipse Cross is comfortable even over significant cracks and bumps in the pavement. Mitsubishi has taken an aspect of the Eclipse Cross that was very recently a drawback — our previous Expert Rating said dips cause the vehicle to "heave mightily" — and turned it into a positive.
The interior of the Eclipse Cross is one of its stronger points, with a spacious cabin and comfortable front seats. New for 2022 is an available power-adjustable passenger seat too. However, taller drivers should be warned that the seats do not lower very much, creating an odd driving position for those 6 feet or taller. To shorter drivers, the heightened seat may be welcome.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration comes standard, and both systems operate well on the available 8-inch touchscreen. Mitsubishi moved it 2 inches closer to the driver for 2022 — a helpful touch. The infotainment system itself responds well to touch but the graphics are awfully dated. Our test vehicle came with a head-up display, but instead of projecting the image onto the windshield it's shown on a single piece of glass that rises from the dashboard. Its height can't be adjusted, so if you're tall it can be hard to see clearly.
You shouldn't buy the Eclipse Cross solely for its cargo capacity, but first impressions are generally positive. The rear hatch lifts up high to reveal a wide opening, and there are a couple of rear cubbies to help secure small items from rolling around. But the sloping roofline does take away the ability to hold larger, boxy items that might fit if the rear hatch was more upright.
Edmunds saysMitsubishi has made some strides with its refreshed design. However, as a complete package, the 2022 Eclipse Cross still lags behind its competition in almost any given area. We'll investigate further once the Eclipse Cross is available for full instrumented testing, but for now there are a number of extra-small SUVs that deserve your attention over this one.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:
The least-expensive 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,695.
Other versions include:
