Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2022 Review: What’s New?

Mitsubishi may not be the first auto brand to come to your mind when you think about SUVs, but it has a relatively greater market share than most of the brands competing in this segment. With decades of experience under its belt, Mitsubishi continues to innovate and level up its expertise in the SUV market to bring more value to consumers.

Mitsubishi’s latest offering this year is the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which is competing directly with big players like the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai, and Mazda CX-5. As the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross hits the market later this year, let’s take a look at everything that this refreshed version has to offer.

Summary

Since its inception, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has always stood out because of its uniquely athletic appearance. Car enthusiasts also applaud it for its impressive on-road performance, although its 1.5-liter engine that churns out 152 horsepower provides just the right acceleration and may sometimes not be enough to justify its robust looks. Even then, its interior is equipped with modern technology that is difficult to find even in some of the SUV segment leaders.

This year, Mitsubishi is giving the Eclipse Cross a major refresh that includes a sleeker look and major updates on its infotainment system. The updates on its exterior include both its front and rear, with a new rear liftgate replacing the window designs of its predecessors. You will also see updates on its cabin, which now features an 8-inch touchscreen display near the driver’s seat. If you are using an old Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and find its touchpad controller a bit too bothersome, then you will love how the 2022 Eclipse Cross ditches that in favor of manual knobs that you can easily access and operate just beside its new touchscreen infotainment system.

Performance

All models of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross derive their power from a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which offers just the right acceleration when you need added traction. A manual gearbox connects this engine to the front wheels, although you may also opt for an automatic gearbox for a much better performance. While the manual transmission is good enough to get you far, you need an automatic transmission if you want access to four-wheel drive. The new Eclipse Cross makes the 4WD only available to the automatic option, giving it better traction and off-roading capability. Either way, you can trust that the engine of your Eclipse Cross can give you the power that you need to run seamlessly. 

You will also be amazed how the Eclipse Cross engine produces less noise even when running on full-throttle—one thing that makes it standout in the crossover segment. When it comes to suspension, all you need is to ride this vehicle to see how capable it is of providing a comfortable ride, regardless of its speed and the terrain it is traveling on. Unlike other crossovers, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross comes with a chassis that retains its composure even when passing through craggy surfaces.

Interior

Inside the Eclipse Cross, you will be surprised how it offers a lot for its price. Despite not being a luxury SUV, you will find only premium materials even in its entry-level models. All seats of the Eclipse Cross are wrapped in elegant and resilient fabric and its interior is packed with all the things you will ever want in a family car, including storage space that can accommodate up to 16 suitcases, a high-tech infotainment system, and imposing safety features. Base models of this SUV come with a 7-inch touchscreen display while higher trims offer an 8-inch screen. More expensive models also offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a navigation system that is not offered in the entry-level models.

Safety

When it comes to safety, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross does not disappoint. With its advanced safety features, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is one of the most sought-after SUVs today. Among the safety features that this crossover comes with are its automated emergency braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. These features come as standard to all models and are enough to give you that much-needed peace of mind when driving, but you may opt for a higher trim if you want a longer list of safety features.

Conclusion

The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross demonstrates the perfect balance between value and performance. While its predecessor is already impressive as it is, the 2022 version comes with additional safety features that add more value to this SUV, justifying the marginal increase in its price tag.