It positive appears sharp, however the efficiency is something however.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
After a quick hiatus and a midcycle refresh, the underachieving 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is again and higher than ever. The look has been refined, the efficiency tweaked and there are new applied sciences and creature comforts, as effectively. Sadly, “higher” nonetheless is not ok to face out in a extremely aggressive class, and whereas the Eclipse Cross seems like a superb compact crossover alternative, it’s miles from the perfect.
Like
Extra snug rideUpdated cabin tech for many trim levelsHandsome, angular type
Do not Like
Disconnected performanceSparsely outfitted decrease trim levelsUpper tiers lack superior options
Sharp appears
The outside aesthetic is the one facet of the Eclipse Cross that I unreservedly get pleasure from. Other than the marginally awkward wheel-to-body ratio that is endemic of this nook of the CUV class, this can be a handsome car, particularly on this instance’s Purple Diamond tint. (My private favourite of the obtainable shades is Bronze Metallic, which paints the crossover’s angular musculature in a classier mild.)
The entrance and rear bumpers are new for the 2022 Eclipse Cross, stretching the SUV each bodily and visually whereas retaining an aggressive grille and lightweight combo with Mitsubishi’s signature C-shaped chrome wings. The sloped roofline compromises a bit on rear headroom however creates a good-looking and sharp silhouette that works effectively and stands out amongst a crowd of bean-shaped crossovers.
The most important exterior change is the redesigned rear hatch, which ditches that bizarre mild bar that bisected the rear glass in favor of a less complicated design. The resculpted rump is a contact extra generic, however general the Eclipse Cross is a better-looking car.
Disconnected efficiency
Underneath the hood, you may discover Mitsubishi’s turbocharged 1.5-liter MIVEC four-cylinder powering the Eclipse Cross. That is the one obtainable engine, and it is mated to a constantly variable transmission with commonplace front-wheel drive or optionally available Tremendous All-Wheel Management all-wheel drive. Output is acknowledged at 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which sounds respectable for this class on paper but in some way seems like lower than marketed as soon as the CVT will get into the combo.
The Eclipse Cross’ tail appears much less like a Pontiac Aztek because of reshaped lights and a simplified hatch.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
My greatest grievance in regards to the Eclipse Cross’ efficiency is that it feels disconnected. The throttle response is robbed of its chew by a tag crew of CVT rubber-bandiness and a contact of turbo lag, which makes the entire SUV really feel sluggish when passing or merging. In the meantime, I am handled to a wheezy, disagreeable engine sound that, as a result of nature of constantly variable ratios, by no means fairly jibes with the acceleration.
Column-mounted paddle shifters are a pleasant, sporty contact. They really feel good to the contact and flick, however the gradual response of CVT when altering ratios does not match their tactility. Not less than they’re mounted within the appropriate location.
Round city with a light-weight foot, the Eclipse Cross feels superb. While you give the CVT gradual, predictable inputs it settles right into a nice-enough groove. There’s loads of energy for climbing hills and the gasoline economic system is midpack for this class. I averaged about 25 mpg throughout a highway-heavy week of testing, bang-on par with the EPA’s estimated 25 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed with all-wheel drive. Entrance-drive examples fare a contact higher at freeway speeds, climbing to twenty-eight mpg right here, in addition to 26 mpg mixed.
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Underachievement unlocked
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The steering is obscure, which makes the Eclipse really feel clumsy on the freeway and tough to maintain centered in its lane. The suspension is properly composed over bumps and potholes and very snug for longer rides, however you may pay for that softness with noticeable physique roll, pitch and dive throughout spirited driving.
Driver assist and cabin tech
The Eclipse Cross’ freeway confidence could possibly be improved with some type of lane-centering tech, however alas you possibly can solely get a lane-departure warning system. On the very least, that tech is commonplace tools, as is collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection. Stepping as much as the LE trim degree provides computerized excessive beams, whereas the SE fashions get blind-spot monitoring with lane-change help and rear cross-traffic alert.
My top-spec SEL mannequin has the optionally available Touring package deal that rounds out the driving force assist suite with full-speed adaptive cruise management and provides high-speed braking to the collision mitigation system. This package deal additionally provides a tiny head-up show visor that rises out of the highest of the instrument cluster and is absolutely too small to truly be helpful.
The pop-up plastic HUD appears low cost and is just too small to be of a lot actual use.
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A rearview digital camera is commonplace and you’ll improve to a surround-view system on the SEL. The button to activate the entrance and {surround} digital camera feeds is situated on the steering wheel, a novel placement that makes the system extraordinarily simple to entry while you want it. As an individual who obsesses over parking completely parallel between the strains, this tiny element is my favourite a part of the Eclipse Cross’ tech suite.
New for the 2022 mannequin 12 months is a brand new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LE trim degree and better. Mitsubishi additionally ditched its outdated and awkward touchpad controller in favor of quantity and tuning knobs proper subsequent to the display screen. The SE mannequin additional upgrades the cabin tech with onboard navigation that includes What3words vacation spot enter.
Regardless of the brand new {hardware}, the infotainment software program continues to be fairly bare-bones. On the intense facet, simplicity means it is also pretty responsive. Plus, the addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay means you possibly can pretty simply make up for many tech deficiencies with a smartphone and a high-quality USB cable.
In the meantime, the entry-level Eclipse Cross ES makes use of a smaller 7-inch show that lacks the smartphone hyperlink obligatory for Android Auto or CarPlay connectivity, which is a big bummer for customers lured in by the Eclipse Cross’ low beginning worth.
The enhancements are good, however the 2022 Eclipse Cross continues to be a troublesome promote. The competitors is simply too good.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
Higher, however nonetheless not sufficient
The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross begins at $24,590 — together with the $1,195 vacation spot cost — for the front-drive SE, or $25,375 with all-wheel drive. I would advocate upgrading not less than to the LE 2WD ($25,940) to unlock CarPlay and Android Auto. The candy spot within the lineup is the SE trim. For $27,340, this will get you a lot of the obtainable driver assist tech, 24 months of entry to Mitsubishi Join telematics, and distant companies and keyless entry. Then once more, the truth that passive keyless entry/begin continues to be an possibility in 2021 says rather a lot in regards to the state of the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
My all-wheel-drive SEL mannequin prices $34,670 as examined. That is about $2,000 lower than a loaded 2022 Hyundai Tucson Restricted, however then once more, the Hyundai presents a lot extra for the cash.
Sure, it is higher than earlier than, however in efficiency, cabin tech, security techniques and facilities the Eclipse Cross nonetheless lags far behind on this very aggressive small crossover class. It is superb, however you possibly can undoubtedly do higher.
