HOW’S THE RIDE?
The 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbo engine, paired with an CVT automatic transmission. Numbers on the powerplant are 152 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
FWD comes standard, but you can upgrade to AWD — specifically, Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system, which helps boost straight-line stability and cornering performance by controlling torque supplied to each wheel. Other features that enhance the drive quality are Active Stability Control, Anti-lock Brakes, and Active Yaw Control.
The Eclipse Cross did an amazing job at braking, stopping immediately when I needed it to do so in surprise situations. And for a vehicle without a ton of horsepower, I was really impressed with the peppiness of the Eclipse Cross. This little vehicle can get moving better than you might think it can, and it’s quite good at keeping out road noise.
Drivers can select from multiple modes, based on driving conditions. And paddle shifters are included if you’d like to take more control.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Regarding the infotainment setup, I found the system in the Eclipse Cross mostly easy to use, but with some drawbacks too. Exact wording of voice commands is difficult to figure out at first, so there will be a learning curve in getting the vehicle to do what you want hands-free. The touchpad controller also takes time to master.
Standard tech and safety features in the Eclipse Cross include: Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and phone calls, steering wheel audio and phone controls, a rearview camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, seven airbags and anti-theft alarm. All levels above the base offering get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for phone mirroring.
Higher trim levels include safety features such as Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Automatic High Beams as standard equipment. There’s also Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Head-Up Display and a Multi-View Camera system.
All-in-all, you get a solid overall tech and safety package vs. the competition. The Head-Up Display is a good way to keep your eyes on the road, safety features work effectively, and the Multi-View Camera system delivers extra security with its bird’s-eye view.
MPG
Official numbers on the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross I tested, with AWD, were 25 city/26 highway/25 combined. FWD versions come in at 26 city/29 highway/27 combined. These are not segment-leading numbers, but still respectable.
PRICE
My well-equipped test vehicle was priced at $32,720; and base price starts about $23K. These are competitive numbers for the segment and should help with sales. Another factor to consider is that the Eclipse Cross offers a large amount of standard features on lower trims. There is also a decent warranty (5-year/60K basic warranty; 10-year/100K powertrain warranty).
BOTTOM LINE
The 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a solid compact crossover offering that should raise the automaker’s profile in the U.S., and it’s the best vehicle currently offered by the Mitsubishi brand, due to its sharp design and enjoyable driving experience.
AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.
