The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossCaroline drives the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Mitsubishi has a lot of respect in the Irish market for building tough off-roaders and SUVs like the Pajero and Outlander. With ever-growing demand for stylish SUVs that are more at home on the school run than on the farm, the brand has responded with the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross mid-size SUV. Pricing starts from €27,900 in Ireland, placing the Eclipse Cross firmly among the Tuscon and Qashqai set.
There is no doubt that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an exciting new model for the brand, with Mitsubishi citing it as the first of a new generation of cars for them that are ‘more capable and desirable’. Certainly in the metal the Eclipse Cross has a lot of presence and Mitsubishi is pitching it as an SUV coupé. The styling is shown off to particular good effect in Diamond Red Metallic, a special new red paint developed for the Eclipse Cross and applied using a new chromatic painting process.
The ride height might be high like an SUV but inside Mitsubishi has managed to package something of a sporty, coupé-like feel. The centre tunnel is quite high for an SUV and the steering wheel sits more low so there is a pleasant, snug feel to the cabin. Mitsubishi describes the interior as ‘cockpit style’ and the quality is a step up for Mitsubishi with some nice soft touch materials and stylish piano black and silver trim. There is a 7-inch touchscreen display on the dashboard that pairs seamlessly to smartphones with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, combined with a new touchpad controller.
The interior of the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossHow practical is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross might be a looker but it retains the sort of practicality that should please family buyers. The rear legroom is excellent and even in width the Eclipse Cross seems generously proportioned for this class of vehicle. The rear seats can also slide and recline. The boot opens to reveal 411 litres with the five seats in their normal position so that’s a bit on the small side compared to some rivals.
There are three trim levels for Ireland: Invite (from €27,900), Intense (from €29,900) and Instyle (from €34,900). The entry model is well-equipped including 16″ alloy wheels, reversing camera, touchscreen, automatic air conditioning, four electric windows, cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high beam and front fog lamps.
The top of the range Instyle model shown here was bursting with equipment including notables like full leather upholstery, head-up display , premium stereo, blind spot warning, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is pitched as a stylish SUV-coupéEntertaining petrol power for Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
At launch, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is powered by an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 163hp and 250Nm of torque, though a diesel is on the way in 2019. A six-speed manual comes as standard but a CVT automatic is also available. The current range is front wheel drive only but Mitsubishi Ireland says that four wheel drive will be available.
On the road the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gets perky performance from its 1.5-litre petrol engine. With 163hp it’s got a lot more power than what some of the more mainstream rivals are offering in their petrol ranges, but the running costs are a bit steeper too: motor tax is €390 per year and my fuel consumption was 7l/100km over a week of driving. But this engine makes easy and sometimes entertaining progress in the Eclipse Cross.
Rear seating in the Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossWhat’s the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross like on the road?
Refinement is good with extensive sound insulation within the body panels as well as the use of soundproof glazing and a floor silencer material. Mitsubishi has tuned the suspension and steering for a more engaging drive and the results are a mixed bag. It’s fine by class standards with direct steering and reasonable composure through bends, but there’s not enough feedback in the steering or willingness to hunker down in corners to fully deliver on the promise of a sporty SUV. While the car is generally comfortable on the smooth stuff, the ride can be bumpy in town.
The distinctive SUV coupé style of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and its sporty stance will certainly draw attention to this one, while Mitsubishi has managed to capture some uniqueness in the interior too. Families will love the spacious interior, while the engine is a powerful match for the car. Equipment levels are high too with Mitsubishi’s eight year warranty for peace of mind.
Not delivering fully on the sporty driving dynamics seems like a missed opportunity as the Eclipse Cross is a genuinely well-executed idea of an SUV-coupé among more vanilla competitors. Regardless, the Eclipse Cross is a great addition to Mitsubishi’s portfolio and the bold, stylish design is a mark of great things to come from the Japanese brand.
The Mistubishi Eclipse Corss is available from €27,995 in IrelandModel tested: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Instyle 1.5L Turbo
Price: €34,900 (Range starts at €27,900)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol
Power: 163hp
Torque: 250Nm
0-100km/h: 10.3 seconds
Top speed: 205km/h
Economy: 6.6l/100km
CO2 emissions: 151g/km
Motor tax: €390 per year
Caroline Kidd