2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Road Test and Review

2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

The middle offering in Mitsubishi’s three-SUV lineup is the Eclipse Cross. Borrowing the Eclipse moniker that once graced one of the nicer two-door sporty hatchback coupes of the 1990s, Mitsubishi’s sport-utility crossover coupe trades some of its utility for a swoopy, semi-fastback roofline.

After skipping the 2021 model year, the 2022 Eclipse Cross gets a much-needed refresh. As with the larger, all-new Outlander, the new Eclipse Cross adopts Mitsubishi’s new Dynamic Shield front-end styling. This includes a more aggressive-looking, larger, and higher-set grille. Squinty-looking LED driving lights are up high, while headlamps and foglamps, also of LED design on higher trims, now sit lower in the revised front fascia. The hood has a Range Rover-like clamshell design. Available Eclipse Cross trims are the base ES, midlevel LE, well-equipped SE, and range-topping SEL. Including the $1,195 destination charge, base prices are $24,590 for the ES, $25,670 for the LE, $27,340 for the SE, and $28,590 for the SEL. Mitsubishi’s S-AWC all-wheel drive is optional on all trims for another $1,600. Major competitors include the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester.

Sleeker Profile

The 2022 model is nearly a half foot longer overall, adding 1.5 inches in front and another 4 inches at the rear. This helps balance the proportions of the Eclipse Cross, trading the truncated, bob-tail look of the previous version for a more streamlined appearance. In the new design, the preceding model’s split-window hatchback design morphs into an elongated but more conventional sloping single-pane rear glass.

This has some benefits. With the split back window design eliminated, the driver no longer has a blind spot partially blocking the view out the back. And second, the extended overall length translates to an increase in the size of the cargo compartment.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Sporty Cabin

The cabin of the 2022 Eclipse Cross is largely carryover but attractive with plenty of low-gloss, soft-touch surfaces, plus new piano black and simulated metallic trim accents. New this year is a two-tone light gray and black color scheme that is more cheerful than the all-black interiors of previous Eclipse Cross models. Standard fare includes cruise control, a manual tilt and telescoping steering column, and automatic climate control. The LE trim adds rain-sensing wipers. A dual-zone climate-control system plus keyless entry, push-button start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are included with the SE and SEL.

The SEL trim adds steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that let the driver choose from eight simulated fixed ratios from the continuously variable automatic transmission. Optional as part of a $2,100 SEL Touring package are cabin niceties such as a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. Rather than projecting onto the lower part of the windshield, the new Eclipse Cross head-up display is a flip-up clear plastic panel atop the dash similar to what Mazda has been using in recent years. A wireless phone charger is not available.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Front Seats

Light gray leather-covered seats are a welcome addition to the previously all-black interior color palette, especially in Sunbelt areas where black interiors get extra toasty. The seats are reasonably comfortable, cloth-covered with the ES and LE trims, upholstered with faux-suede on SE models, and leather-clad on SEL.

All but the base ES model get heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SE and SEL add a power driver’s seat and faux-leather-wrapped floor shifter. Upgrading to the SEL gains a power-operated front passenger seat and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats are not available.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Upgraded Infotainment

A new Smartphone-link Display Audio infotainment system is standard in all models. For 2022, Mitsubishi ditched the remote touchpad on the console of the previous Eclipse Cross models, replacing it with a touchscreen that is closer for the driver and front passenger to interact with. Handy analog volume and tuning knobs arrive, flanking the bottom corners of the display. Eliminating the console touchpad also opens up more space and enabled moving the cupholders forward from their previous awkward location under the driver’s elbow.

The base ES trim is equipped with a 7-inch infotainment screen, while a new 8-inch unit compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto cellphone mirroring plus voice control is set atop the dash on all other trims. Tunes are provided by a basic four-speaker AM/FM/HD radio audio system in ES and LE trims, which upgrades to one with six speakers for SE and SEL models. A free three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio is onboard as well for all but the base ES trim. An eight-speaker premium Mitsubishi Power Sound system is optional for the SEL model only. For connecting devices, all but the base ES model have two front USB ports (the ES just gets one).

Photo by Ron Sessions

Navigation with what3words Integration

Embedded navigation is included with SE and SEL trims. It includes TomTom live traffic updates and map routing.

A new feature this year is the inclusion of what3words map integration. The oddly spelled technology is a global addressing system that sees the planet as a grid of squares measuring 3 meters by 3 meters (each about 32.9 square feet for the non-metric literate). Mitsubishi says the technology offers greater accuracy than address-based systems, especially worthwhile in rural or remote areas a driver of an SUV might just find themselves in.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Rear Seat

Despite the sloping, coupe-like roofline that means many rear-seat passengers have to duck getting in and out, the Eclipse Cross provides reasonable space for three people to sit in the back. Its 60/40 split rear bench layout offers nine individual seatback recline positions. It also slides fore and aft up to 8.5 inches to help accommodate varying rear passenger/cargo area space needs. There is no third-row seating like you find in the larger Outlander.

Dark-tint privacy glass for the rear doors and cargo area is standard in all models, as are floor-mounted rear-seat heat vents. Heated outboard rear seats are an option on the SEL trim. SE and SEL models get a fold-down center armrest with a pair of cup holders.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Cargo Considerations

The 2022 Eclipse Cross’s added length isn’t all just about styling. The new model has a longer cargo floor, increasing cargo room incrementally. There’s now 23.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, room for five or six airport roller bags. That space opens up to mountain bike-swallowing 50.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks lowered.

There are recessed pockets on either side of the cargo floor, great for carrying gallon jugs of water and other items you don’t want tipping over and spilling inside. Under the cargo floor in the spare tire well is a small amount of concealed storage space for small items such as a camera, phone, or small purse. A cargo security cover is an optional accessory.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Driving Dynamics

The Eclipse Cross is powered by a direct-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo with 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While it’s relatively smooth and quiet at low speeds and more than ample for the daily commute or just cruising around town, the four-banger gets noisier when accelerating to freeway speeds or passing another vehicle. Acceleration to 60 mph is a leisurely 8.5 seconds. It’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission that can drone on sometimes under heavy acceleration, but it offers eight simulated step-shift ratios for drivers who want to shift for themselves. EPA fuel economy estimates are a bit less frugal than those of the larger three-row Mitsubishi Outlander: 26 to 27 mpg combined for front-drive models and 25 to 26 mpg combined on versions with all-wheel drive.

On the road, the Eclipse Cross offers a smooth ride largely unaffected by ruts, bumps, and irregular surfaces. Steering effort is light, if not terribly communicative, but pleasant for navigating the urban landscape. Modest-sized 215/70R16 all-season tires on the base ES trim give way to grippier and better-responding 225/55R18 rubber on higher trims. Standard active yaw control aids the Eclipse Cross’s turn-in ability. Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is optional. It coordinates the stability control, S-AWC, antilock brakes, and yaw control to balance drive torque and braking at the wheels based on real-time road and driving conditions.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Safety and Driver Assistance

In addition to seven airbags and a set of rear-seat LATCH child safety seat anchors, the 2022 Eclipse Cross gets a standard backup camera on the ES, LE, and SE trims that upgrades to a 360-degree surround-view monitor on the SEL that provides a simulated overhead view of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings. Driver-assistive technology in the new Eclipse Cross includes forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and auto emergency braking and a lane-departure warning system. The SE and SEL also bring blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, as well as automatic high-beam control. Optional with the $2,100 SEL Touring package is forward collision mitigation with high-speed braking capability as well as adaptive cruise control.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2022 Eclipse Cross a full five out of five stars for side-impact crashworthiness and four for rollover resistance but has not yet rated the SUV for frontal impact performance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not published its ratings for the 2022 Eclipse Cross, but the structurally similar 2020 model achieved Good crashworthiness scores in small- and moderate-overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength, and head restraint performance. 

Photo by Ron Sessions

Final Considerations

With a more streamlined shape, increased cargo space, a more aggressive-looking front end, updated infotainment tech, and improved rearward visibility, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offers a stylish alternative to the usual compact SUV fare. While the sporty-looking Mitsubishi isn’t the most fuel-efficient, roomiest, or most technically advanced offering in the crowded small SUV space, it does offer a lot of value for the price.

The Eclipse Cross’s warranty is another plus. Offering buyers 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain protection and five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper vehicle coverage is right up there with industry leaders Hyundai and Kia.

Photo by Ron Sessions