Electrical vehicles are flying on the gross sales charts, and common hybrids are nonetheless in scorching demand. Plug-in hybrids although? They’re languishing, as Australians look previous their (barely complicated) mixture of petrol and electrical energy.

That’s an issue for Mitsubishi. It’s positioning itself as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) specialist going ahead, in an enormous to snap up gross sales from individuals who wish to commute on electrical energy, and take pleasure in a highway journey with out utilizing Australia’s burgeoning public cost community.

Together with the flagship Outlander PHEV, the model presents the small-to-mid-sized Eclipse Cross with plug-in energy.

With a sticker value within the mid-$50k vary, the range-topping Exceed on check is costlier than in style pure electrical choices such because the BYD Atto 3, and is priced according to bigger collection hybrids just like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda ZR-V.

Does it have what it takes to face out amongst that crowd?

How a lot does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed value?

The range-topping Exceed is $55,990 earlier than on-road prices, up $1500 relative to 2022.

It’s $7700 costlier than the bottom ES, and $4750 greater than the mid-range Aspire. It’s additionally $14,000 pricier than the Eclipse Cross Exceed with a petroleum engine.

Pure PHEV rivals are non-existent. The Kia Niro PHEV is not any extra, and the Ford Escape PHEV is useless – and types aren’t bothering bringing new choices Down Below within the face of very restricted demand.

On the electrical entrance, the Eclipse Cross goes head-to-head with the BYD Atto 3 Prolonged Vary ($51,011) and the MG ZS EV Lengthy Vary ($55,990).

Within the hybrid area, it takes on the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid ($54,410) and Nissan X-Path Ti-L e-Energy ($54,690).

2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid EV pricing:

• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ES: $47,290
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV Aspire: $51,240
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV Exceed: $55,990

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed like on the within?

The Eclipse Cross has a beneficiant tools checklist, but it surely all appears and feels a bit low-cost inside given the $55,000 value.

On the plus aspect it’s very purposeful, and there’s a strong quantity of area given the compact-ish exterior.

The driving force and entrance passenger sit on leather-based seats perched up excessive for a commanding view of the highway forward, full with electrical adjustment. Shorter drivers received’t battle to get comfy, tall drivers like me would possibly battle to get low sufficient.

Expertise is the place the Eclipse Cross falls down. At 8.0 inches the infotainment show is now small alongside what cheaper rivals supply, and it’s working software program that appears and feels at the very least two generations outdated.

It appears residence model, doesn’t reply notably shortly to inputs, and encompasses a blocky font that’s not notably simple to make out on the transfer.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto permit you to sidestep the manufacturing unit system.

There’s additionally a way it is a low-cost automotive dressed up like an costly one. The local weather management pod with its orange backlighting, haphazardly organized buttons for driver help methods, and the small journey laptop – with no digital speedo – all really feel low-cost and nasty in a $55,000 new automotive.

Piano black trim dominates the transmission tunnel, and is susceptible to scratches, dusts, and fingerprints.

Storage areas abound up entrance, with spacious bottle holders within the entrance doorways, cupholders within the central tunnel, and a deep bin beneath the central armrest, and a phone-shaped slot beneath the dashboard. Twin USB-A ports are available to cost units up entrance.

Legroom is strong within the again seat, thanks in no small half to the lengthy wheelbase. It’s not on the identical degree as a Toyota RAV4 or Nissan X-Path, and is extra in step with a Kia Seltos or Hyundai Kona again there.

Headroom is a weak level, nevertheless. The sloping roofline and panoramic sunroof imply tall youngsters could have their heads brushing the headliner, and tall adults will really feel very boxed in.

ISOFIX factors characteristic on the outboard rear seats, and there’s a trio of top-tether factors. The outboard rear seats are heated, and the USB ports will preserve children with iPads comfortable on longer drives… however the lack of air vents is difficult to excuse.

Open the boot and also you’ll discover 359L of area, measured to the highest of the second-row seat again, which is down 46L on the petrol variations.

The location of the battery pack means there’s no spare wheel by any means. Elevate up the boot flooring and also you’ll discover some storage nooks, inside which sit a charger and the tyre restore equipment.

On both aspect of the boot flooring, there are additionally small niches. Sadly the rear seats don’t fold utterly flat.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Plug-In Hybrid EV is powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, an electrical motor on every axle, and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The petrol engine produces 94kW of energy and 199Nm of torque, the entrance electrical motor makes 60kW and 137Nm, and the rear one makes 70kW and 195Nm. There’s no mixed system output determine out there.

Drive is distributed via a ‘Tremendous-All Wheel Management’ all-wheel drive system able to torque vectoring.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV consumes a claimed 1.9L/100km on the mixed cycle, and EV vary is a claimed 55km. The gas tank holds 45L and requires a minimal of 91 RON unleaded petrol.

Commuting to and from work, and charging the battery at our workplace in Melbourne I noticed between 0.8 and 1.0L/100km.

However, a weekend highway journey (Melbourne to Rye, driving round on the peninsula, and again) with no capability to cost noticed that common blow out to five.0L/100km.

It’s very environment friendly should you can cost it, however should you’re not capable of plug on this PHEV is much less environment friendly than a Toyota hybrid.

How does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed drive?

With a full battery, the Eclipse Cross does a powerful impersonation of an electrical automotive.

The place some plug-in hybrids really feel undercooked working on pure electrical energy, it’s capable of transfer effortlessly with the site visitors between standstill and about 80km/h with out the petrol engine firing.

It’s easy and quiet, and also you’re in a position to make use of the outsized metallic paddles behind the steering wheel to dial within the quantity of regenerative braking you need – starting from none, to a degree that nearly permits for one-pedal driving.

Flatten the accelerator and the petrol engine kicks into gear with a flourish. It’s a bit gruff at first, however settles down as soon as it’s heat.

Mitsubishi has been making plug-in hybrids for longer than most manufacturers, and it exhibits. The way in which the petrol and electrical energy sources mix is impressively easy, to the purpose the place you don’t must spend a lot time fascinated with what’s taking place beneath the pores and skin.

When the battery goes flat although, you’re extra conscious of what’s taking place. This can be a heavy automotive at 1900kg, and the naturally-aspirated petrol must work fairly laborious to get the automotive rolling, undermining refinement.

The burden of the batteries, electrical motors, and all of the related hybrid equipment additionally damages the experience and dealing with. The Eclipse feels heavy over pace humps or dips, bouncing round in a approach the petrol automotive doesn’t, and it smacks laborious into potholes or sharp-edged bumps.

We’ve skilled what the plug-in hybrid powertrain within the Eclipse Cross can do on a snowy or a gravel highway, shuffling torque round to make it deal with like a smaller, lighter automotive. It’s spectacular, but it surely’s additionally not all that related to the typical purchaser.

They’re extra prone to discover the steering is slower and heavier than is the case in rivals across the metropolis, making the Eclipse Cross more durable to park, or to clock the huge blind-spot that comes with that sloping roofline.

On the freeway, the adaptive cruise management is easy and sensible, however the lack of lane-keeping help (which is able to truly steer you again between the white traces, moderately than simply beeping at you) is disappointing at this value.

At the least the automotive is quiet; the place some electrical vehicles or plug-in hybrids have a whole lot of wind and highway noise at 100km/h, the Eclipse Cross has been properly insulated in opposition to the surface world.

What do you get?

Eclipse Cross PHEV ES highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Mode 2 charging cable
• Mode 3 charging cable
• Acoustic car alert system
• Halogen headlights
• LED daytime working lights
• Energy-folding door mirrors
• Driver-side window auto up/down
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 2 x entrance, 2 x rear USBs
• 4-speaker sound system
• Local weather management
• Cruise management
• Electrical park brake
• Keyless entry and begin
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Chrome inside door handles
• Material upholstery
• Illuminated entrance door trim
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders

Eclipse Cross PHEV Aspire provides:

• Computerized LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• LED fog lights
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• Privateness glass
• Roof rails
• Silver entrance decrease bumper
• Black entrance bumper centre garnish
• Black grille insert
• Black and insert rear decrease bumper
• Black aspect door garnish
• 8-speaker sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• 1500 V2L capability
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Microsuede leather-look upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• Driver seat energy adjustment

Eclipse Cross PHEV Exceed provides:

• Sunroof
• Electrical tailgate with hands-free lock and shut (NEW)
• Head-up show
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Ultrasonic mis-acceleration mitigation system
• Black leather-based upholstery
• Mild gray leather-based upholstery (NEW)
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats

Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed protected?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on testing carried out on the petrol Eclipse Cross in 2017.

It obtained 97 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 78 per cent for baby occupant safety, 80 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 58 per cent for security help.

Customary security options embody:

• 7 airbags
• AEB with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Rear-view digicam
• Rear parking sensors

Stepping as much as the Aspire will get you security options together with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise management, entrance parking sensors, and a surround-view digicam.

The flagship Exceed additionally will get what Mitsubishi calls Ultrasonic Mis-acceleration Mitigation System, which is designed to cease the automotive should you press the accelerator as a substitute of the brake at low speeds.

How a lot does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed value to run?

The Eclipse Cross PHEV is roofed by a five-year, 100,000km guarantee which might be prolonged to 10 years and 200,000km should you service throughout the Mitsubishi vendor community.

The high-voltage battery is roofed for eight years or 160,000km although.

Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Mitsubishi presents ten years of capped pricing servicing which is as follows:

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid Exceed

Plug-in hybrids are laborious to mark, as a result of they completely swimsuit a really small group of individuals.

However should you’re largely driving on electrical energy we’re on the level the place an EV arguably makes extra sense for the cash, and should you’re at all times utilizing the engine there are many high quality hybrids that’ll sip gas with out the complexity of a plug-in.

With that in thoughts, the Eclipse Cross feels misplaced.

It’s a good dimension and possesses a intelligent powertrain able to dealing with each day duties on e-power – but it surely’s value trying on the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV that’s $5000 costlier.

With a extra trendy, spacious inside and newer powertrain, it misses among the luxuries from the Eclipse Cross however is a greater all-rounder.

Past the plug-in hybrid world, the Eclipse Cross is flanked by too many good rivals to be value your time. Regardless of how intelligent the powertrain, its residence model inside means it simply doesn’t really feel like a $55,000 automotive in 2023.

The BYD Atto 3 is healthier trying, options a greater inside, and doesn’t have to fret about lugging round a petroleum engine should you do most of your driving within the metropolis.

And, should you’re consistently on the open highway, a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid makes use of a really comparable quantity of gas to the Eclipse however has a greater cabin, and isn’t slapped with highway tax in Victoria.

If you’re set on an Eclipse Cross PHEV, we’d advocate saving your cash and going for the entry-level mannequin.

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: All the pieces Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross