2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: An Odd Duck in Name, Design

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Competes with: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5

Looks like: The automaker’s clumsy attempt to style an SUV after a coupe

Drivetrain: 152-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder; continuously variable transmission; all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: March 2018

As shoppers continue to snub the sedan in favor of SUVs, more automakers are wedging them into their lineups. The U.S. version of Mitsubishi’s new model, the 2018 Eclipse Cross, made its debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Related: More 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Coverage

Mitsubishi calls the Eclipse Cross a compact SUV, but the brand already has one of those in the two-row Outlander Sport. The new model slots between the Outlander Sport and three-row Outlander in Mitsubishi’s lineup and will be available in four models: the base ES, LE, SE and SEL. Prices start at $23,295, excluding destination, and the model marks the debut of a few new convenience features for the brand.

Exterior

The name combines the automaker’s old Eclipse sports coupe with the trending crossover segment, and Mitsubishi’s attempt to also combine design cues from both has produced one awkward-looking vehicle. The Eclipse Cross looks a lot like the automaker’s other vehicles, with a few exceptions. The brand’s large shield grille is front and center, but the new model’s face is more intense with gaping foglight inlets, a nose-heavy design in front and wedgelike styling in back. High-mounted taillights that bisect the rear glass contribute to the oddball, angular look that, at certain viewpoints, recalls Pontiac’s design-challenged Aztec.

Interior

Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Cross’ interior represents a big leap forward in terms of both materials and design, and that its cabin is the most refined in the automaker’s lineup. It sports a wraparound design for a cockpit-like feel, and gloss black trim adds to its sporty look.

Other cabin highlights include a 7-inch multimedia screen that sits high on the dash and looks like a tablet; it can be controlled via touch or a console-area touchpad, and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. There’s also a color head-up display ahead of the gauge cluster.

Two new-to-Mitsubishi convenience features are making their debut on the Eclipse Cross: heated rear seats and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Also in back, passengers are treated to a configurable backseat that has nine reclining positions, and can slide forward and backward up to nearly 8 inches, Mitsubishi says. Cargo specs weren’t immediately available.

Under the Hood

A new engine also makes its U.S. debut in the Eclipse Cross: a turbocharged 1.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder that makes 152 horsepower. The sole engine (at least in the U.S.; a diesel version will be available in Europe) will pair with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Mitsubishi calls the new engine fuel efficient, but has not yet released fuel-economy estimates.

Standard across the lineup is Mitsubishi’s all-wheel-drive system, dubbed S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control). Three driver-selectable modes are available (Auto, Snow and Gravel) that alter the system’s responsiveness depending on the driving conditions.

Safety

A full suite of safety features is standard on the mid-level SE trim and up, but unavailable on lower trims. Features include blind spot warning, lane departure warning, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, automatic high beams and a multiview camera system.

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