It positive appears to be like sharp, however the efficiency is something however.
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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. Unfortunately, “better” nonetheless is not adequate to face out in a extremely aggressive class, and whereas the Eclipse Cross seems like a positive compact crossover selection, it is from one of the best.
LikeMore comfy rideUpdated cabin tech for many trim levelsHandsome, angular type
Don’t LikeDisconnected performanceSparsely outfitted decrease trim levelsUpper tiers lack superior options
Sharp appears to be likeThe exterior aesthetic is the one side of the Eclipse Cross that I unreservedly take pleasure in. Aside from 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 Red Diamond tint. (My private favourite of the accessible shades is Bronze Metallic, which paints the crossover’s angular musculature in a classier gentle.)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 greatest exterior change is the redesigned rear hatch, which ditches that bizarre gentle bar that bisected the rear glass in favor of an easier design. The resculpted rump is a contact extra generic, however general the Eclipse Cross is a better-looking car.Disconnected performanceUnder the hood, you will discover Mitsubishi’s turbocharged 1.5-liter MIVEC four-cylinder powering the Eclipse Cross. This is the one accessible engine, and it is mated to a constantly variable transmission with customary front-wheel drive or non-obligatory Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive. Output is said 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 combination.
The Eclipse Cross’ tail appears to be like much less like a Pontiac Aztek due to reshaped lights and a simplified hatch.
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My greatest grievance concerning the Eclipse Cross’ efficiency is that it feels disconnected. The throttle response is robbed of its chunk 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. Meanwhile, I’m 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 sluggish response of CVT when altering ratios does not match their tactility. At least they’re mounted within the right location.Around city with a lightweight foot, the Eclipse Cross feels positive. When you give the CVT sluggish, predictable inputs it settles right into a nice-enough groove. There’s loads of energy for climbing hills and the gasoline financial 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. Front-drive examples fare a contact higher at freeway speeds, climbing to 28 mpg right here, in addition to 26 mpg mixed.
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Underachievement unlocked
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The steering is imprecise, 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 intensely comfy for longer rides, however you will pay for that softness with noticeable physique roll, pitch and dive throughout spirited driving.Driver support and cabin techThe Eclipse Cross’ freeway confidence may very well be improved with some kind of lane-centering tech, however alas you’ll be able to solely get a lane-departure warning system. At the very least, that tech is customary 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 non-obligatory Touring bundle that rounds out the driving force support suite with full-speed adaptive cruise management and provides high-speed braking to the collision mitigation system. This bundle additionally provides a tiny head-up show visor that rises out of the highest of the instrument cluster and is basically too small to really be helpful.The pop-up plastic HUD appears to be like low cost and is simply too small to be of a lot actual use.
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A rearview digicam is customary and you’ll improve to a surround-view system on the SEL. The button to activate the entrance and {surround} digicam feeds is situated on the steering wheel, a novel placement that makes the system extraordinarily simple to entry if 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. The SE mannequin additional upgrades the cabin tech with onboard navigation that includes What3words vacation spot enter.Despite the brand new {hardware}, the infotainment software program remains to be fairly bare-bones. On the intense aspect, simplicity means it is also pretty responsive. Plus, the addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay means you’ll be able to pretty simply make up for many tech deficiencies with a smartphone and a high-quality USB cable.Meanwhile, 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 remains to be a tricky promote. The competitors is simply too good.
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Better, however nonetheless not sufficientThe 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’d advocate upgrading at the very least 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 many of the accessible driver support tech, 24 months of entry to Mitsubishi Connect telematics, and distant providers and keyless entry. Then once more, the truth that passive keyless entry/begin remains to be an choice in 2021 says quite a bit concerning the state of the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.My all-wheel-drive SEL mannequin prices $34,670 as examined. That’s about $2,000 lower than a loaded 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited, however then once more, the Hyundai affords a lot extra for the cash.Yes, 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’s positive, however you’ll be able to positively do higher.