The segment of compact crossovers is the toughest one in the automotive industry and manufacturers are figuring out different methods to stand out from the crowd and attract more buyers. In the case of Eclipse Cross, things are pretty simple – this crossover is more affordable than rivals, which is definitely a good argument, even though it lags behind the competition in many aspects. Thankfully, the recent update has brought a couple of interesting novelties, particularly in terms of styling, which clearly indicates that the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be a typical carryover model.
So, you may expect to see a familiar design, which has just been updated. The Eclipse Cross looks attractive and comes at an affordable price. Furthermore, it offers good fuel economy and an extended warranty. On the other hand, its cabin feels a little bit cheap, while the engine power is subpar.
As there are no significant changes to come for the next year, we presume that the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of the year.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Design
The last year’s update has brought a new styling and therefore, we don’t believe that the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross could bring more important updates. We expect to see the same look, which is now characterized by narrower headlights, a more prominent grille and more aggressive bumper designs. So, the best we could see for the next year are minor updates, such as new color options and similar things.
The mechanical aspect hasn’t changed since the initial launch. This generation has been around since 2018 and it still rides on the good-old GS platform. As a result, most rivals feel more refined, especially when it comes to absorbing bumps and road imperfection. On the other hand, the highway ride is pretty smooth and comfortable.
Interior
On the inside, the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross feels a little bit older than competitors. Simply, it uses mostly hard plastics and other low-rent materials, while the dashboard doesn’t look particularly attractive either. Still, we should say that the recent update has brought a new infotainment system, which makes this cabin look a little bit more appealing.
When it comes to the passenger space, the best thing about this crossover are the front seats. They are massive and supportive, while the driving position is pretty good. On the other hand, the rear seats offer enough legroom but lack headroom. So, taller passengers may feel a little bit tight back there.
Thank’s to the sloping roof, the cargo area is another compromised zone. The cargo volume goes around 23.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 50 cubic feet of the total cargo volume, which is way below average for the class.
Features
Of course, yearly updates usually bring a couple of new things to the list of standard equipment, so we may expect something like that from the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross as well. However, these updates will be minimal and we are pretty sure that most of the things will remain the same as in the current model.
For reference, the current model comes standard with goodies like automatic climate control, a 7-inch touch screen, a four-speaker stereo, HD Radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth, as well as with safety features like a rearview camera, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Among upgrades, you can find dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a six- or eight-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, parking sensors, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, rear cross-traffic alert etc.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Engine
Under the hood, the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should carry on with a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, which puts out 152 horsepower. That’s less power compared to most rivals, but this SUV doesn’t feel underpowered, at least not in the city. Driving dynamics are decent, while the main reward comes in a pretty good city economy, which goes around 26 miles per gallon. On the other hand, things can be pretty nosy on the highway, mainly because of the CVT gearbox. Also, fuel economy on the highway isn’t particularly impressive and goes around 29 mpg.
Some sources also speculate about possible novelties for the next year. This mostly refers to the plug-in hybrid version, which would come with an upgraded version of the familiar system that’s based on a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The officials are still quiet on this.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Release Date and Price
The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should arrive sometime in the last quarter of the year, with a starting price of around 24.500 dollars. The competition in this segment is extremely tough and some of the key players are models like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V etc.