MOTORS REVIEW: Mitsubishi Eclipse

Holding its own without ‘Eclipsing’ the opposition

Now it has made a new mid-sized addition to its SUV range in a bid to bolster its sales as rival manufacturers hone-in on the territory of its Outlander PHEV.

The Eclipse Cross is the brand’s response to the likes of the Peugeot 3008, Seat Ateca and Kia Sportage.

Available with the choice of just one engine, a 160bhp 1.5-litre petrol unit, front or all-wheeldrive and a choice of three trims (2, 3, or 4), prices start at £21,290.

Mitsubishi’s designers have sculpted an impressive front end, though the rear’s split screen could divide opinion.

The Eclipse Cross sits quite tall and this is a trait which is mirrored in its dynamics.

Although refinement and comfort are very strong assets during A-Road and motorway driving, a tall centre of gravity can be felt on twisting B-roads and some bobbing can be detected on undulating surfaces.

Tested here is the range-topping Eclipse Cross 4 Petrol Auto 4WD (£28,165) and “Auto” means Mitsubishi’s continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Thankfully the Eclipse Cross’s engine seems less excitable than the Subaru also tested this week and the cabin remains fairly well insulated even when it is working hard.

Mitsubishi claims a 40.4mpg fuel economy and 159g/km CO2 emissions, a 9.8-second run to 62mph and 123mph top speed are all possible.

Equipped with “Super All-Wheel-Control”, the Eclipse Cross can transfer 50 per cent of drive to the rear wheels in low grip scenarios and traction feels pretty unimpeachable.

The Mitsubishi’s cabin is innovative at this price point.

A Lexus-style touchpad allows navigation around the various functions of a Mazda-esque touchscreen infotainment system atop the dash.

A head-up display delivers speed readings into the driver’s eye-line by a system and all Eclipse Cross’s featuring a rear-view camera, automatic high beams, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights, climate control and privacy glass as standard.

My “4” trim version added an unusual twin sunroof — separate for the front and rear — along with leather seats and a Rockford Fosgate sound system.

No Eclipse Cross features sat-nav, however, leaving its owners to rely on the infotainment systems connectivity to smartphone apps.

The Mitsubishi is well-equipped and refined. While it can’t match the best in the class in terms of driving dynamics and a CVT is far from my choice of automatic gearbox, it is a car that will hold its own in a very tough sector.

Grabbing headlines like its Outlander PHEV big brother might be a challenge too far, though.