2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior – Nice improvements – The underachieving Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2023 is back better than ever after a brief break and a mid-cycle makeover. This year’s model has received a facelift and performance upgrades, as well as a host of new features and conveniences. Although the Eclipse Cross is an excellent compact crossover, “better” is still not capable of standing out in a highly contested class.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Changes
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exterior
The only feature of an Eclipse Cross which I truly appreciate is its outside design. As long as you don’t mind the uncomfortable wheel-to-body ratio that’s common in this segment of the CUV class, you’ll be pleased with this Red Diamond specimen. In my opinion, the best color for the crossover’s angular structure is Bronze Metallic, one of the available paint colors.
Again for the 2023 Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi has completely redesigned for the front as well as rear bumpers, allowing the SUV to grow both physically as well as visually while maintaining Mitsubishi’s characteristic C-shaped chrome wings. If you’re looking for a vehicle that stands out from the crowd, go no further than the Toyota RAV4’s sloping roofline.
Exterior changes include a new rear hatch that removes the odd light bar which split in half its glass and replaces it with a more straightforward design. For better or worse, the Eclipse Cross has an improved appearance thanks to its reworked rear end.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior
A lane-centering system would boost the Eclipse Cross’ road confidence, but for now, the sole option is indeed a lane kipping system. Collision avoidance braking plus pedestrian detection is at the very least standard equipment. The LE model adds automatic high beams, whereas the SE versions include blind-spot monitoring plus rear cross-traffic alert.
A Touring package is an option on my top-spec SEL model, and it includes high-speed braking towards the collision prevention system as well as full-speed adaptive cruise control. With this bundle, you’ll also get an extremely small head-up display visor, which rises out of the instrument cluster. 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior
The SEL comes standard with a rearview camera and has the option of adding a surround-view system. The steering-wheel-mounted button that activates for the front, as well as surround camera feed, is a novel design feature that makes using the system a snap. Because I’m a perfectionist when it comes to parallel parking, this is one of my favorite features of the Eclipse Cross technology package.
The upgraded 8-inch infotainment system is available on the LE and higher trim levels again for the 2023 model year. The old touchpad controller has been replaced with simple volume as well as tuning knobs directly next to the display. Onboard navigation with What3words destination input is standard on the SE model. 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior
Infotainment application is still lacking, despite the improved technology. On the positive side, the lack of features means it’s also quite responsive. In addition, thanks to Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay, most technological shortcomings can be easily compensated for by using a smartphone as well as a top-notch USB cable. 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior
It’s all Eclipse Cross ES, on the other hand, has a small 7-inch screen and also no smartphone hookup, which is a significant letdown for those who were attracted by Eclipse Cross’ cheap beginning price. 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Engine
The Eclipse Cross is powered by Mitsubishi’s 1.5-liter MIVEC turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, with all-wheel drive via Super All-Wheel Control available as an option. The 152 horses, as well as 184 lb-ft of torque mentioned on the EPA’s website, is a fair amount of power for this class, but the CVT makes it feel a lot less powerful than it actually is.
When using the Eclipse Cross, I’m constantly frustrated by a sense of disconnection. A combination of CVT, as well as a hint of turbo lag, dulls the throttle response, making the SUV feel slow when overtaking or merging. There are a few things that I’m not looking forward to: a wheezy and unpleasant engine noise that doesn’t seem to match up with the acceleration.
Column-mounted paddle shifters lend a sporty feel to the car’s interior. The CVT’s delayed responsiveness to shifting ratios will not really match the tactility of these devices. Because they’re at the right place.
The Eclipse Cross is ideal for commuting in a light-footed manner. Slow, reliable inputs to the CVT allow it to find a comfortable rhythm. The car has a lot of power and a good fuel economy for its class. A week of heavy highway driving resulted in a fuel economy average of 25 mpg, exactly in line with estimates from the EPA for city, highway, and all-wheel drive combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. Front-drive models do somewhat better on the highway, reaching 28 mpg and a combined 26 mpg.
When driving on the highway, the Eclipse feels sluggish, and difficult to maintain a straight line. Over bumps and potholes, the suspension is composed and comfy, but you’ll pay a price in body roll, pitch, and dive when driving aggressively.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Price and Release Date
The front-drive SE of a 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross costs $24,590, while the all-wheel-drive SE costs $25,375. At the very least, choose the LE 2WD ($25,940), which comes equipped with the latest version of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The SE trim is the best value in the lineup. Mitsubishi Connect telematics, keyless entry, and remote services are all included in the base model’s $27,340 price tag. Even yet, the reality that passively keyless entry/start is an option for the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross tells us a lot about its current state.
As tested, the all-wheel-drive SEL model in my possession costs $34,670. A fully-loaded 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited costs around $2,000 more, but the Hyundai is far superior in terms of value. Even while the Eclipse Cross has improved, it still falls short in the highly competitive small crossover segment in terms of performance, cabin technology, safety systems, and luxuries. It’s alright, but you could be doing a lot more.
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