The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is like Luke Hemsworth – it’s the oft-forgotten third member of a well-liked household.

The place the shiny new Outlander and growing old however widespread ASX catch the limelight, the Eclipse Cross quietly hums away within the background. It nonetheless sells comparatively effectively, however simply to not the identical diploma.

That’s to not say it’s as a result of it’s a poor relation. If something it’s a a lot improved model of the decade-old ASX, although maybe design is an element.

The unique Eclipse Cross was fairly a polarising factor, and the 2021 facelift that adopted cleaned up the rear fairly a bit to the purpose the place I’d go as far to say it’s truly not unattractive.

Right here on take a look at now we have the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version, a brand new dark-themed particular mannequin launched for 2023.

It builds on the usual LS with a black pack-style exterior remedy, and provides in some consolation and comfort options for good measure to assist justify its moderately nominal $1350 premium.

At simply over $35,000, the Eclipse Cross LS Black Version is sharply priced in an extremely aggressive phase.

With the Chinese language manufacturers honing in on the worth finish of the market, does the Eclipse Cross function a compelling different from a extra established model?

How a lot does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version value?

The Eclipse Cross LS Black Version lists for $35,490 plus on-road prices, $1350 dearer than the one-up-from-base LS.

Drive-away, you’re just below $40,000 in accordance with the corporate’s web site, which remains to be just a few thousand greater than even the most costly petrol-powered GWM Haval Jolion or MG ZST.

However, the Eclipse Cross is on the bigger aspect of the phase, packs a turbocharged engine, and is roofed by Mitsubishi’s 10-year guarantee – on the situation you service throughout the supplier community for that interval.

It’s additionally fairly well-aligned with different low- to mid-spec variations of Japanese and European rivals throughout the small SUV class, in addition to low-end grades of some mid-sized alternate options.

The Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx ($36,110) isn’t even $1000 extra, and the Eclipse Cross on take a look at can also be costlier than the top-spec Mitsubishi ASX Exceed ($34,740).

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross pricing:

• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES: $31,490
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS: $34,240
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version: $35,490
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Aspire: $36,490
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS AWD: $36,740
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed: $40,490
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed AWD: $42,990

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version like on the within?

Not a lot has modified contained in the cabin for the reason that Eclipse Cross launched, and it’s one of many key drawbacks of the bundle.

The general design and high quality is okay, however the dated shows and switchgear undoubtedly make the Eclipse Cross really feel a technology or two behind the most recent Outlander.

A tablet-style 8.0-inch touchscreen juts out of the dashboard and isn’t as neatly built-in as different designs, working a really fundamental interface that gives wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to DAB+ radio.

If you would like satellite tv for pc navigation, you should step as much as the flagship Exceed, which appears slightly stingy on Mitsubishi’s half. A six-speaker audio system is customary on LS grades and above, and it does the job superb.

There’s additionally a pair of USB-A ports, in addition to AM/FM radio and Bluetooth cellphone and audio streaming. Many rivals are providing customary navigation and wi-fi smartphone mirroring today, so there’s a approach to go nonetheless.

Maybe extra irritating is that for comparable cash you may get an entry-level Outlander with an improved system sourced from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, shared with different fashions comparable to the brand new Nissan Qashqai and X-Path.

Even the analogue dials – whereas clear and basic in design – betray the Eclipse Cross’s age, although nothing is probably as large an indicator as the actual fact this automobile continues to do and not using a digital speedometer readout.

Solely in fashions with a head-up show (the flagship Exceed) are you able to get an Eclipse Cross with a digital velocity readout. With Australia’s strictly policed limits, it looks like a serious oversight when nearly each different OEM affords this in 2023.

There’s nonetheless some robust factors that the Mitsubishi has to supply.

Up entrance within the LS Black Version, you choose up micro-suede and leatherette-trimmed seats over the ES and LS, with heated entrance seats and an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat additionally thrown in.

Whereas the driving force’s pew isn’t the final phrase in bolstering or assist, it’s snug sufficient and the powered adjustment makes for extra exact motion – although it solely goes 4 methods. The driving place is sort of excessive providing you with a commanding view of the street forward.

The heated seat capabilities have HI and LO settings, and have the form of outdated mild switch-style buttons that once more are a little bit of a throwback. Single-zone automated local weather management is a plus, as are the bodily controls for it. It’s very straightforward to set and overlook, in addition to make changes or activate air recirculation on the fly.

Storage isn’t a lot of a robust level although. The small slot forward of the shifter can barely match a bigger smartphone and the door bins are pretty small, which means the principle stowage is beneath the front-centre armrest which once more isn’t the biggest at school.

Practicality will get higher within the second row, nevertheless.

The Eclipse Cross’s sizing means it affords above common passenger lodging within the rear, with greater than sufficient house for bigger adults to take a seat behind bigger adults.

Head, knee and toe room are all good for the category, aided by that tall roofline. Massive rear home windows make outward visibility good for the phase too, and there’s minimal intrusion from the driveline tunnel.

One omission is the dearth of rear air vents, although second-row passengers are handled to bottle holders within the doorways, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, and map pockets behind the seats. There are, nevertheless, two USB-A cost ports within the rear.

Mitsubishi quotes cargo quantity of 405 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1149L with them folded. That’s on the upper aspect for the phase, although not class-leading.

There’s a space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot ground.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Energy in all Eclipse Cross petrol fashions comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Outputs are rated at 110kW (5500rpm) and 250Nm (2000-3500rpm), whereas the engine is paired as customary to a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT). Entrance-wheel drive is customary, with LS and Exceed grades additionally accessible with non-obligatory AWD.

You too can have the Eclipse Cross as a Plug-in Hybrid EV, which groups a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with two electrical motors and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack – good for 55 kilometres of EV driving vary.

Mitsubishi claims the Eclipse Cross 2WD will use 7.3 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle. The 63-litre gas tank can take 91 RON common unleaded. CO2 emissions, in the meantime, are quoted at 165g/km for 2WD fashions.

How does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version drive?

The drive expertise for the Eclipse Cross is fairly constant – all of the petrols really feel about the identical as one another, as do the Plug-in Hybrid EV variations.

Inoffensive might be one of the best ways to explain it, given it’s a no-frills crossover to drive and customarily goes about its enterprise fairly competently.

The CVT does an excellent job at maintaining the turbocharged petrol engine on the boil, however gained’t flare revs and be droney until you actually sink your boot – which actually, you shouldn’t be doing typically on this factor.

Drive in a measured method, and the Eclipse Cross is fairly refined. Acceleration is usually easy and the turbo torque helps it get together with first rate tempo, and there’s not a complete lot of noise from the skin world.

With that stated, there was the odd event the place accelerating at round 60 per cent throttle introduced out an elastic pulley-like feeling, the place it felt just like the automobile was unable to match the output to enter.

It rides superb, however gained’t be giving one thing like a Mazda CX-30 or Kia Seltos sleepless nights. It feels softly sprung however the large wheels can jar over sharper hits.

It’s an identical story for the dealing with, with the softer tuning and taller proportions making for a top-heavy really feel in corners, with the sunshine steering making it straightforward to pilot on the town nevertheless it’s not the final phrase in suggestions or really feel.

Like I stated earlier, this automobile is okay for on a regular basis stuff and isn’t our choose in order for you one thing extra participating or dynamic to drive.

At a cruise the Eclipse Cross is impressively settled, with the revs dropping because of the CVT, and the big-car really feel at velocity. As famous earlier it’s effectively insulated from street and wind noise, which isn’t all the time the norm at this finish of the market.

The Eclipse Cross is slightly mild on for driver help tech on this specification, missing among the extra refined capabilities which might be changing into prevalent within the phase.

Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning bolster the bottom mannequin’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) from the LS grade and up, however even then there’s restricted performance in comparison with the semi-autonomous methods accessible from different manufacturers.

There’s no lane maintain help right here, moderately simply an audible warning; and adaptive cruise management is unique to the top-end Exceed.

What do you get?

Eclipse Cross ES highlights:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED daytime working lights
• Black material upholstery
• Local weather management air-conditioning
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 4-speaker sound system
• Tilt, telescopic steering column adjustment

Eclipse Cross LS provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Computerized headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• LED fog lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Privateness glass
• Energy-folding exterior mirrors
• Electrical park brake with auto maintain
• 6-speaker sound system
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear USB-A and USB-C retailers

Eclipse Cross LS Black Version provides:

• Black 18-inch alloy wheels
• Gloss black mirrors, skid plates
• Mi-suede, artificial leather-based upholstery
• Perforated leather-based steering wheel, gray stitching
• Black headliner, pillar trims
• 4-way energy driver’s seat
• Heated entrance seats
• PVC leather-based door playing cards
• Gray stitching particulars
• Silver inside garnishes
  • Instrument panel
  • Centre console sides
  • Door grips

Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version protected?

The Eclipse Cross vary – together with PHEV – wears a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on 2017 Euro NCAP exams.

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

Normal security options embrace:

• 7 airbags
• AEB incl. Pedestrian detection
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors

Eclipse Cross LS provides:

• Auto high-beam
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane Change Help
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert

Eclipse Cross Aspire provides:

• Adaptive cruise management incl. cease operate
• Encompass-view cameras

Eclipse Cross Exceed provides:

• Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System

How a lot does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version value to run?

Mitsubishi covers its line-up with a regular five-year, 100,000km guarantee. Service throughout the model’s nationwide supplier community, nevertheless, and also you up that to 10 years or 200,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.

Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, with capped-price servicing accessible for as much as 10 years.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross service pricing:

That’s a complete of $4740 over 10 years, up $950 on the 2022 Eclipse Cross.

As for real-world gas consumption, I noticed an indicated common of seven.4L per 100km following every week of blended driving, which included peak-hour commuting and an honest ratio of freeway driving.

Contemplating the Eclipse Cross lacks idle cease/begin for city duties, that’s not a nasty end result in any respect.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS Black Version

The Eclipse Cross is fairly competent towards most metrics, although it doesn’t actually shine in any space.

If something the elements are all there, however the execution is slightly behind the entrance runners. Its dated inside is an actual kicker, as is the dearth of LED headlights and extra refined help applied sciences decrease down within the vary.

The inoffensive on-road manners and above-average cabin practicality are notable highlights although, as is the well-insulated cabin and planted feeling at increased speeds.

Within the face of accelerating competitors from the Chinese language manufacturers, the Eclipse Cross’s star is fading as newer, extra value-packed rivals hit the market.

Additional, even the entry-level Outlander ES ($36,240) affords far more bang for buck with more room, extra fascinating options and extra energy from a bigger 2.5-litre petrol engine. It’s additionally a lot newer inside and outside.

The LS 2WD might be the choose of the vary, and whereas the Aspire 2WD fills the lacking spec containers the $5000 additional over this LS Black Version feels slightly steep when $40,000 can purchase you a variety of steel from varied different manufacturers.

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