AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY7/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS9/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER7/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7/10
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VALUE7/10
In Mitsubishi’s crossover hierarchy, the Eclipse Cross sits between the subcompact RVR and compact Outlander.
Its angular styling makes it stand out from the crowd, but the visual attitude doesn’t translate to sharp driving dynamics. The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross imparts a sense of solidity, and with its roomy interior and impressive warranty, it makes for an intriguing option in the hotly contested segment of crossovers this size.
Styling: 8.5/10
The Eclipse Cross’s rakish lines and origami edges are certainly eye-catching, and arguably this little Mitsubishi’s greatest assets. This new-for-2024 (and Canada-specific) Noir trim is trendy with its blacked-out details, but the light-devouring hue masks much of the unique visual appeal. Then again, that alien snout will never go unnoticed.
The Noir adds the requisite black alloy wheels that measure 18 inches, and some black trim and lettering, yet the black paint of this tester is a head-scratching $300 add-on. The other paint choice is a metallic grey that adds $150. To these eyes, the grey shows off the crossover’s funky styling to better effect.
Safety: 8/10
Being second from the top in the Eclipse Cross lineup, the Noir gets a full suite of safety aids that includes front collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and rain-sensing wipers. Absent from the list is lane-keeping assistance, although this trim features lane departure warning. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Eclipse Cross a top five-star safety rating, while the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test results are mixed, showing a “Poor” rating for side impact and moderate front overlap collisions.
Practicality: 7.5/10
With 663 L of cargo capacity behind the 60/40 split-folding second row and 1,419 L with it stowed, the Eclipse Cross is a capable hauler, although shoppers will find more cargo space in competitors including the Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Taos, and Chevrolet Trax, to name a few. It also loses points because the second row doesn’t fold completely flat. The Noir gets a hands-free powered hatch. It can tow as much as 907 kg (2,000 lb).
There’s plenty of useful storage up front, including large door pockets with bottle holders, a bi-level glove box, a storage/ cubby ahead of the gear selector, and a generous covered bin between the seats. Back seat riders get both a USB-A and USB-C port.
User-Friendliness: 9/10
The 2024 Eclipse Cross gets high marks for its logical ergonomics and easy familiarity. The dash-mounted eight-inch touchscreen has a simple menu structure, responds quickly to inputs, and sports both volume and tuning dials. A panel of physical controls for HVAC function is found below, including buttons for seat and steering wheel heat.
The gear selector is of the familiar P-R-N-D variety, and you’ll find the wiper functions at the end of the right-hand stalk easy to use. The gauge cluster, with its big and clearly backlit dials, is refreshingly old school. About the only ergonomic misstep – and it’s a minor one – is the positioning of the window control buttons on the door that are tucked under the big pull handle and hard to get at as a result.
Features: 8.5/10
Standard with the Noir trim is a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, hands-free power tailgate, power-folding mirrors, adaptive cruise control, microsuede and synthetic leather seats, multiview camera, and dual sunroofs. The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which are wired. The audio system is surprisingly good, and this musician gives it a big thumbs up for its punch and clarity. Yes, it’s a bit bottom heavy, but nothing a tweak of the tone controls won’t fix.
All Eclipse Cross models come with all-wheel drive. It’s a sophisticated full-time setup with torque vectoring on both front and rear axles – a nod to the marque’s long rally heritage. With three drive modes – normal, gravel, snow – the Eclipse Cross is well suited for handling winter conditions.
Power: 7.5/10
While the turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder doesn’t put up big numbers on paper (152 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque), it’s perfectly fine for daily driving duties, whether zipping around town or cruising on the highway. Credit its low-end torque courtesy of the turbocharger. Hooked to a well-behaved automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Eclipse Cross is never left feeling flat-footed.
Comfort: 8/10
This little Mitsubishi serves up a decently quiet and compliant ride thanks to its softly sprung suspension, although it does have an Achilles’ heel: sharp impacts can overwhelm the dampers, making for some unpleasant shudders. That aside, the Eclipse Cross glided along the road mostly undisturbed. Some credit goes to the unfashionable 18-inch wheels and tires it rides on. Sure, Mitsubishi could have slapped some stylish 20-inch units on here to amp up the attitude, but that would have impacted ride quality.
Trimmed in faux suede, the front seats suited this author just fine – [others have different opinions. – Ed] – although height adjustment should go lower for us taller folks. The lack of lumbar adjustment might be an issue for some as well. The seat heat calibration is well judged, with the low setting providing a warm glow. Meanwhile, those in the back seat are treated to good legroom and semi-reclining seats.
Driving Feel: 8.5/10
The Eclipse Cross is a great little city scrapper. The turbo four-cylinder gives it some scooting power, and its ‘tweener size and tight turning circle make for impressive manoeuvrability. Under normal driving, the CVT’s built-in “steps” somewhat mimic a regular automatic transmission – only when you mash the throttle does it have the engine droning while the vehicle plays catch up. The steering is light and pretty much devoid of feel, and its softly sprung suspension translates to handling that is competent but not engaging.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
With official fuel economy numbers of 9.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.9 on the highway, and 9.3 combined, the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross trails rivals like the HR-V, Taos, and Subaru Crosstrek. But this two-week test ended with a far better consumption rate of 8.4 L/100 km showing on the trip computer. Most of that was light-throttle highway commuting with some city driving on either end. The Eclipse Cross takes regular-grade gas.
Value: 7.5/10
Talk about a tough neighbourhood. The Eclipse Cross is up against some formidable competition, and while the new Noir trim is well-equipped and priced competitively at $37,598, the Eclipse Cross has been with us since 2018 and there’s a crop of newer compact crossovers out there vying for your dollar. The recently redesigned Crosstrek and Hyundai Kona are two such stand-outs.
The Verdict
So, to the big question: why would you buy the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross when there are so many other enticing options in this segment? The sophisticated all-wheel drive system goes hand-in-hand with this brand’s legendary toughness, and there’s a certain solidity and scrappiness to this vehicle that’s endearing. I also like its no-frills usability – everything is logical and easy to access. And then there’s the 10-year, 160,000-km powertrain warranty.
Sure, the Eclipse Cross isn’t bristling with the latest technology, but everything you really need is at your fingertips. Not everybody wants to drive a rolling iPhone. And finally, it’s comfortable. The climate system works great, the seats are well contoured, and the ride is rarely harsh or intrusive. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t particularly excel in any category, but as a whole it’s a capable and agreeable crossover.
| Engine Displacement | 1.5L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 152 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 9.6 / 8.9 / 9.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 663 / 1,419 L seats down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Noir |
| Base Price | $37,598 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $1,750 |
| Price as Tested | $39,748 |
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Optional Equipment
$300 – Black Tarmac Pearlescent, $300
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