Review: 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Posted in Vehicle Reviews
Review: 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
It looks similar to a space ship, with sharp lines and aggressive front end. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a modern SUV that follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, but improved on many front.
INITIAL IMPRESSION
The Eclipse Cross looks and feels like it has the perfect proportions; compact enough to drive around town and be economical, yet practical and spacious to carry all the gear you need for a road trip for example. Now it has a new front with sharper lines, LEDs and some beefy fog lights and it just looks cooler than it ever has before. Add to that the all-important safety features and up-to-date technology and you're assured of a complete package for a very sharp price.
DRIVEABILITY
Mitsubishi offers the Eclipse Cross with two engines: a 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that gives you 110kW and 250Nm, consuming 7.7L/100km. Or as a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine making 94kW and 199Nm married to a 'multi-mode' front transaxle that allows it to drive the front wheels, or share the load with the electric side of the system. Charge comes from a 13.8kWh battery pack which, good for pure electric driving up to 55km.
The new Eclipse Cross has a lot of standard safety features across the range, which include seven airbags, reversing camera, stability/traction control, hill start assist, autonomous emergency braking and Emergency Stop Signal System, which activates the hazard lights during hard braking at speeds over 55km/h autonomous emergency braking as standard across the range.
A range of other safety devices is standard, including lane departure warning, lane change assist, blind-spot warning, reverse parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, auto high beam, front fog lights and auto headlights and wipers.
LIVEABILITY
The changes on the new ASX are definitely more evident on the outside than on the inside. No big changes in the design, instruments or controls, which all look familiar. It's a good thing though, because it didn't need any improving – it works. The main update is a larger 8.0-inch (up from 7.0-inch) touch-screen infotainment system. which is now one of the biggest in its class and continues to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and DAB digital radio.
The same goes for the seats, which are still perfectly fine even for longer drives and practical, just like the boot space. With 405L you'll have enough room for two decent-sized suit cases. And it’ll expand to 1172L with the 60:40 split-fold rear seating stowed.
COST
The base model ES is available with an auto and 2WD. You'll have one on your driveway for just over $30k. After that the next step up is the Aspire, followed by the LS (around $35k) and Exceed staying under the $40k mark. If you want the LS in AWD you just pop over $35k, with the Exceed in AWD just over $40k.
As PHEV the Eclipse Cross range starts just under $47k for the ES model, about $16,000 more than the comparable non-hybrid Eclipse Cross ES and around $6500 more than the top-of-the-range all-wheel-drive non-hybrid Eclipse Cross Exceed.
The mid-spec Eclipse Cross Aspire PHEV sits just under $50k while the top-of-the-range Eclipse Cross Exceed PHEV goes for about $54k.
The Eclipse Cross comes standard with 10 year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty and 5 Years/60,000km Capped Price Servicing for just $299 per visit.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Recently, our Motorama Mitsubishi dealership provided an opportunity for a lucky customer to experience the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for a weekend getaway, with a night stay at the Marriot Gold Coast Resort & Spa. From our winners Alfredo, Naomi and Chloe, here’s their short personal review of the Eclipse Cross:
" The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is very comfortable and powerful. It drove very smoothly and gave us peace of mind as we know that we are safe. We especially enjoyed the smartphone connectivity, easy to use touchscreen and knwoing that it has so many safety features. We will recommend the Eclipse Cross to all our family and friends. Actually, one of our friends is purchasing an Eclipse Cross already in your store!"
"Thank you so much for a luxury holiday plus the newest Eclipse Cross car to use. The experience was definitely fantastic. Our weekend getaway was remarkable and spectacular. You guys made us very happy. We will never forget it and we are forever thankful. Thank you so much."
CONCLUSION
The Eclipse Cross is still one of the country’s most popular SUV in one of the hottest segments of the car industry today. The engine and interior got a refresh but the main changes happened on the outside of the new Eclipse Cross – the only part that actually needed updating – and is now sharper then ever. Plus you'll get all the safety features you can ask for. If those facts and figures don't convince you, take it for a drive yourself!
