Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5T 4WD: when turbo and all-wheel drive became more affordable
In the past, a detailed review of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with a naturally aspirated engine and front-wheel drive has already been published. But that is really a thing of the past: it is very likely that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover will end its career on the Ukrainian market exclusively in versions with a turbo engine and all-wheel drive. If we add an expanded list of equipment and slightly reduced prices, it turns out that now is the best time to buy such a car. Or is it not? What advantages does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross have ? And what are its disadvantages? Now I will tell you everything - in the format of the main questions and answers.
Is this some kind of updated version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross? Has anything changed on the outside?
In fact, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross car entered the Ukrainian market back in 2018 and then underwent a significant update in 2021 – this is the version that was already the hero of a full-fledged review in the past. From that time to today, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover has not changed visually: a pointed "nose" and large block headlights along the edges of the bumper (beware of rocky roads and branches on forest paths), numerous stamping lines and side surfaces of the body, a modified trunk lid with a single solid glass and divided lights.
In general, the design of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover is well... let's say "on its own wave". However, the fact is that you will not confuse this car with others and will definitely remember it. Especially if you look at the successor that is preparing to enter the European market in the form of the electric crossover Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (photos will be provided below, at the end of the photo block).
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover is quite well-known in Ukraine, as it has been on sale for several years in a row. The dimensions are also known: length – 4.545 meters; width – 1.805 meters; height – 1.685 meters; wheelbase – 2.67 meters; ground clearance is declared at 199 mm. The only distinctive detail of the 1.5-liter version with all-wheel drive is the S - AWC sticker on the glass of the trunk lid. The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is already being prepared for entry into the European market: it is an electric car with front-wheel drive, located at the junction of crossovers and minivans. So if you want to buy a familiar gasoline crossover with all-wheel drive – hurry up.
What about the interior? Is it decently finished? Is there enough space?
The car's interior is familiar and made mostly of soft plastics, slightly decorated with silver inserts. Previously, perhaps the main minus was the large areas of glossy black coating (it quickly gets dirty and scratches), and now a non-original multimedia system with mediocre sound has been added. Although there are enough pluses: huge side mirrors for better rear view, a separate "climate" unit and numerous physical buttons-switches.
The front seats are quite wide and have massive lateral support, and the rear sofa allows you to adjust the angle of the backrest, plus it is heated: wow, that's better than some more modern crossovers! But here's the bad news: the unexpectedly high trunk floor panel makes you lift things too much when loading. Although the explanation for this is a full-fledged spare wheel. In fact, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover is all like this: here something is done well and thought out, here they missed something, here again a plus...
Similar to the exterior, the car's interior has been familiar for several years and has changed mainly due to the change in the multimedia system, which set the configuration of the central part of the front panel. The current multimedia system in a massive case looks like an extraneous accessory (which it actually is), produces a minimally acceptable sound in the style of "to play something" and is limited in functions. However, otherwise – with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross you quickly find a common language: a familiar instrument panel, a separate climate control unit, large rear-view mirrors, additional amenities for rear passengers. As for the trunk, I would like to wish only a lower floor level and a pile coating on the wheel arches instead of plastic, which is scratched by things.
Now a few words about the headroom; traditionally, we start with the front of the cabin. So: the length of the front seat cushion is 50 cm, and the distance from the edge of the seat cushion to the accelerator pedal varies in the range of 44-65 cm depending on the longitudinal adjustment of the driver's seat. The headroom in the cabin height for the torso/head is 100 cm (measured along the backrest and headrest, the seat is lowered as much as possible, the backrest is set at an angle of 105-110 degrees). Please note that the car was equipped with a panoramic glass roof, which usually "eats up" several centimeters of space – with a regular roof, the headroom will be greater.
Now for the rear seats. The leg/knee room is 66-86 cm (measured from the base of the rear sofa to the back of the front seat, depending on the adjustments and position of the front seat). The distance from the rear sofa cushion to the ceiling is 92 cm (measured from the base of the sofa along the backrest and headrest). However, please note that the torso/head room may vary slightly depending on the angle of the rear sofa backrest (I measured in the middle position): if you recline more, taller people will be able to fit in, if you sit upright, the feeling of space will be less.
Finally, a little about the trunk. The trunk width between the wheel arches is 100 cm; or a maximum of 133 cm, taking into account the side niches. The trunk depth in the standard position of the rear seats is 87 cm (when the backs of the rear row are raised); with the rear sofa folded, the trunk depth is 147 cm (measured to the edge of the folded back of the rear seat) or a maximum of 174 cm (measured to the stop at the backs of the front seats).
In terms of interior space, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a typical C - SUV crossover : no more, but no less. A normal amount of space in front and behind; even more – in terms of legroom for rear passengers, the elderly Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offers more space than some modern models in this class. Here we put a plus! But here is a minus: note that the back of the rear sofa folds even slightly lower compared to the high trunk floor – a noticeable protrusion is formed.
The exterior and interior are clear. What about the turbo engine and all-wheel drive?
Generally speaking, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover is built on the GS platform, has a load-bearing body and fully independent suspension of all wheels, all variants of the car for the Ukrainian market have recently been offered with an "automatic" in the form of a CVT-variator, and in versions with a turbo engine – also equipped with all-wheel drive S – AWC (this is an abbreviation for Super All Wheel Control). As for the turbo engine, in fact, the 4-cylinder 1.5-liter engine 4 B 40 has been known since the beginning of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross's market career and the new emphasis on it is explained by the introduction of stricter environmental requirements in Ukraine: the atmospheric 2-liter engine 4 B 11 met only Euro 5 toxicity standards, while the smaller turbo engine meets Euro 6 b standards. By the way: both engines offer 150 hp. power, but differ in torque levels – only 198 Nm in the naturally aspirated engine and a considerable 250 Nm in the turbo engine, and over a wide rev range. But will this affect the feeling behind the wheel?
Frankly speaking, not very much. Under normal driving conditions, fifty newtons simply "dissolve" in the intricacies of the variator and all-wheel drive system and manifest themselves only during very intense acceleration with the pedal to the floor. In fact, the engine produces good traction at medium revs (this is noticeable when overtaking on the go at the rate of speed increase), and the turbo engine and variator are not at all against high revs: for example, during intensive acceleration, gear changes of about 5.5 thousand are even simulated. But in most cases, under normal driving conditions, all car accelerations can be described in one word – smoothness. Quite restrained acceleration, typical rubber-like relationship between engine speed and speed gain through the CVT variator. But also – the absence of any jerks from shifting gears (because there simply aren't any here) and good silence in the cabin at a steady speed, when the variator selects a certain gear ratio, which allows you to lower the engine speed (usually 1.8-2 thousand or even less).
The acceleration character is not impressive, but it is in balance with the similar character of the chassis. I advise you to forget about the word Eclipse and concentrate on the word Cross in the case of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. After all, you still won't get at least some exciting control: the not sharp steering wheel makes almost three turns from lock to lock, and the effort on it... well, it's just there, it exists in the general background and does not change much with the steepness of the turn. But in the turn, the position of the body changes significantly, which is not averse to leaning in each subsequent bend. But for all this, the car is calculated with a good suspension comfort: it is quite soft, sometimes swings on bumps, but almost never gives sharp shocks (only sometimes, when large transverse joints occur under the rear wheels). So it turns out: you won't find any special handling in the style of the former Eclipse coupe here, but the adaptability to bad roads and off-road conditions in the Cross style is present here.
For a car with a 1.5-liter turbo engine, an unalternative "automatic" in the form of a CVT-variator and all-wheel drive, the following technical characteristics are declared: power 150 hp (5500 rpm) and torque 250 Nm (2000-3500 rpm), fuel consumption in the urban cycle 9.8 liters per 100 km and fuel consumption in the suburban cycle 6.5 liters per 100 km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 11.4 seconds and 195 km/h maximum speed. So: acceleration 0-100 km/h is done in about 10 seconds, which is clearly better than promised by the passport and about one second better than the atmospheric 2-liter version – even despite the greater losses in the all-wheel drive transmission and greater weight (1550 kg versus 1485 kg). As for fuel consumption, according to my observations, the car really fits into 10 liters of fuel in the city. With a careful driving style and on empty roads, you can get 8.8-9 liters; but if there are a lot of traffic jams and/or a dynamic driving style, then there will be 11.5-12 liters. On the highway, when driving at a speed of 100 km/h, the car consumes 6.3-6.5 liters per 100 km of the road; at this speed, the tachometer shows 1900-1950 revolutions. Several all-wheel drive modes are provided, but they almost do not affect the all-wheel drive mode: first the front wheels - then the rear ones take over. This way you can climb a dirt hill (the body does not creak), in winter you can probably drive out of the snow; and you can't ask for more from a compact crossover.
How much does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross cost now – with a turbo and all-wheel drive?
If we recall the previous review, previously the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross price list was built so that versions with different engines (2-liter naturally aspirated or 1.5-liter turbo) differed in the type of drive and different trim levels. That is, the buyer chose everything at once: engine, type of drive, trim level. However, now the emphasis is on cars with a 1.5-liter turbo engine and all-wheel drive, for which three different trim levels are available at once.
The range is opened by the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Invite, which offers the following: a course stabilization system, front and side airbags, inflatable side curtain airbags, heated steering wheel and front/rear seats, power windows, a multimedia system with a 9-inch touch display, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc. The cost of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5 T 150 CVT 4 WD Invite car is from UAH 1.275 million ($30.7 thousand) for the 2024 versions or from UAH 1.315 million ($31.7 thousand) for the 2025 versions.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Instyle is located one level higher, where the following has been added: front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic warning system, blind spot monitoring of mirrors, keyless entry and push-button start of the car, seat trim in artificial leather with fabric inserts, electric adjustment of the driver's and front passenger's seats, LED headlights, decorative body elements with black gloss finish, etc. The cost of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5 T 150 CVT 4 WD Instyle car is from UAH 1.339 million ($32.3 thousand) for the 2024 versions or from UAH 1.379 million ($33.2 thousand) for the 2025 versions.
The maximum option is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Ultimate, which is distinguished by the following: adaptive cruise control, a head-up display (HUD), a panoramic glass roof with an electronically controlled sunroof, leather interior trim, two-tone alloy wheels, etc. The cost of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5 T 150 CVT 4 WD Instyle is from UAH 1.385 million ($33.4 thousand) for the 2024 versions or from UAH 1.45 million ($34.9 thousand) for the 2025 versions.
Previously, without $35 thousand, you couldn’t even get to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with a turbo engine and all-wheel drive; now any version of the car fits into the $30-35 thousand range. But even in the list of equipment, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover lives in its own dimension: it seems that there is a projection of data – but on a separate retractable translucent panel; it seems that there is a panoramic roof – but in fact these are two separate hatches. On the other hand: someone may mock this car for its buttons for heating the front seats – but even in the “base” there is also a heated steering wheel and rear seats. Further: the middle version will already have many safety systems, and the maximum one will also add adaptive cruise control. But again: there is no wireless charging or all-round visibility, there is only a rear camera. So it turns out that in one point the car seems to lag behind the trends of the class, and in another - it offers much more than its competitors. By the way, it is the mention of competitors that leads us to general conclusions...
So, finally: should I buy it or not?
Of course, the answer to this question is given by everyone personally – according to their preferences and needs. Regarding the first: for example, personally I am not a fan of the exterior design, or the interior, or the driving characteristics of this car at all – it does not inspire admiration in any of these points, but it does not cause disgust either. It is just another compact crossover.
But as for needs – the question is more complicated and interesting. Remember the buyer's guide to compact crossovers with 4x4 all-wheel drive and now add the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to the list. If you need a comfortable crossover, if a 150 hp engine is enough, if all-wheel drive is mandatory, and there is also a desire to get a normal configuration for plus or minus $30 thousand – then suddenly for certain buyers the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover may turn out to be quite an interesting option. This will be a choice clearly not about exciting emotions, but exactly about the balance of characteristics and price.