The Eclipse Cross is a highly styled new compact sport utility vehicle from Mitsubishi. It was introduced in March 2018 and is carried over basically unchanged for model year 2019. Good fuel economy, attractive pricing, and a generous warranty are among its benefits in the compact SUV market multitude.
The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is available in ES, LE, SP, SE, and SEL trim levels with pricing starting at $24,590 (including destination charge) for the ES model with two-wheel drive.
ES is the only trim offered in two-wheel or all-wheel drive. All other versions have all-wheel drive as a standard feature. Mitsubishi calls its AWD system Super All-Wheel Control, abbreviated as S-AWC.
Base models can be notorious for containing nothing but the barest essentials, but that’s not the case with the Eclipse Cross ES. It has 16-inch wheels instead of the 18-inchers used on the other trims, one USB port instead of two, and a 7-inch touchscreen display audio system instead of a 7-inch smartphone link audio system. There’s no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, satellite radio or voice control. Those are the only features it lacks that are standard on the other trims.
The sole powertrain in the lineup is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine generates 152 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
Fuel economy ratings are 26/29/27 mpg for the ES with two-wheel drive, 25/28/26 mpg for an ES with all-wheel drive, and 25/26/25 mpg for all the other trims.
My tester was the SE model whose only optional items were a cargo area cover ($190) and carpeted floor mats ($135).
The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has five trim levels. Two-wheel or all-wheel drive is available on the base model, and all-wheel drive is standard on the others. (Manufacturer photo)
The only features not included on the SE that I missed having were an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat (instead of 6-way manual adjustment) and LED headlights (instead of Halogen). Both of these are standard on the SEL model.
An audio volume control knob, the world’s best method for adjusting volume, would have been great but is not available on any Eclipse Cross model. Instead there are steering wheel and touchscreen volume adjustments, slow and cumbersome by comparison.
One feature I’d have done away with is the console-mounted touch-pad controller for the infotainment system. Fortunately for touch-pad controller detractors like me, it can be avoided because there are workarounds.
One more tiny issue inside the Eclipse Cross is the rearward view, which is bisected by a bar between the two windows. But it’s a nice cabin in general: pleasantly styled, not too noisy, a smooth ride, comfortable seats, ample legroom for rear seat passengers, and so on.
The turbo engine with its torque boost provides plenty of power, and for added fuel efficiency there’s an Eco mode, which doesn’t noticeably diminish performance. For slippery or off-highway road conditions, the S-AWC system has Snow and Gravel settings.
The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a fully transferable 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 7-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion limited warranty, and 5-year/unlimited roadside assistance.
2019 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS SE S-AWC
Base price, including destination charge: $27,740
Price as driven: $28,065
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild, and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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