The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact SUV that starts at $27,695, comes with standard all-wheel drive on every trim, and is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a CVT. It's one of the few vehicles in its class where AWD isn't an upgrade you pay extra for, which matters a lot if you're driving around Salt Lake City through the winter.
Here's a closer look at what you're actually getting, where it holds up well, and where it's worth going in with clear expectations.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Trims and Pricing
The 2026 Eclipse Cross comes in six trims, and pricing climbs steadily as you add features. Every trim shares the same engine, transmission, and AWD system, so the jump between trims is mostly about comfort, tech, and styling rather than performance.
The LE tends to be the most popular trim, since it adds meaningful comfort and tech features without pushing all the way into the low $30,000s.
Engine, Transmission, and Fuel Economy
Every Eclipse Cross trim uses the same 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, making 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It's not a quick SUV, but the turbo gives it enough low-end torque to not feel sluggish around town or merging onto the freeway.
EPA fuel economy comes in at 25 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. That's on the lower end for a compact SUV, and it's the tradeoff for getting standard AWD instead of paying extra for it. If mpg is your top priority and you don't need AWD, something like a front-wheel-drive Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 will get noticeably better mileage.
Standard S-AWC All-Wheel Drive: How It Handles Utah Winters
Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system comes standard on every Eclipse Cross trim, no upgrade required. It actively manages torque and braking force between the front wheels and adjusts based on driving conditions, rather than just reacting after a wheel starts to slip.
For Utah drivers dealing with snowy commutes, canyon roads, or unpredictable spring weather, that's a real advantage over competitors where AWD is an optional add-on that can push the price up $1,400 to $1,500. You're getting it built in at every price point, including the base ES.
Interior Space, Tech, and Comfort Features
The Eclipse Cross offers up to 50.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which is competitive for the compact SUV class. Higher trims add a panoramic sunroof and an 8-inch Smartphone Link Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Standard driver-assist features include forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning, with blind spot detection available depending on trim. The cabin isn't the flashiest in the segment, but it's laid out simply and the touchscreen is easy to use without digging through menus.
Safety Ratings: What NHTSA and IIHS Say
The Eclipse Cross has earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, which reflects strong performance across NHTSA's standard frontal, side, and rollover tests.
IIHS tells a more mixed story, but the context matters. On IIHS's original small overlap front test, the Eclipse Cross rates Good. On IIHS's newer, tougher updated moderate overlap front test and updated side test, both introduced recently to evaluate rear-passenger protection and impacts from larger SUVs and trucks, it rates Poor. That's not unique to the Eclipse Cross. IIHS has reported that only a small number of compact SUVs have earned a Good rating on these updated tests so far, and several well-known competitors have struggled with them too. Still, if side-impact protection in the updated test specifically is a priority for you, it's worth cross-shopping and comparing current ratings before you decide.
How Reliable Is the Eclipse Cross?
Mitsubishi as a brand carries a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating from RepairPal, which ranks it 6th out of 32 brands they track. RepairPal doesn't yet have enough Eclipse Cross-specific data to break out a model-level score, so that rating reflects the brand overall rather than this model in particular.
What you do get regardless of model is Mitsubishi's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, which is longer than what Honda, Toyota, or Hyundai offer on their competing SUVs. If long-term coverage matters more to you than a data-backed reliability track record, that warranty gap is worth factoring in.
How the Eclipse Cross Compares to Other Compact SUVs
Here's how the Eclipse Cross stacks up against a few of its main competitors on price, mpg, and AWD availability.
The pattern here is pretty clear. The Eclipse Cross costs less to start and includes AWD without an upcharge, but it gives up mpg to do it. If you're comparing apples to apples on an AWD model, the price gap closes even more since you're not paying the AWD premium that the others charge.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. S-AWC all-wheel drive is standard on every trim, including the base ES. You don't have to upgrade or pay extra to get it, which is different from most competitors in the compact SUV class.
What is the gas mileage on a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
The EPA rates it at 25 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. That's lower than some AWD competitors, largely because those competitors' best mpg numbers come from their FWD-only versions.
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross a reliable SUV?
Mitsubishi as a brand rates 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability from RepairPal, though there isn't yet enough Eclipse Cross-specific repair data to give the model its own score. It's backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty regardless.
Does the Eclipse Cross have Apple CarPlay?
Yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included with the available 8-inch Smartphone Link Display Audio system, which comes on higher trims.
How does the Eclipse Cross do in crash tests?
It earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA. IIHS results are mixed. It's Good on the original small overlap front test but Poor on IIHS's newer, tougher moderate overlap and side tests, a result shared by several other compact SUVs on those updated tests.
See Eclipse Cross Inventory at Salt Lake Mitsubishi
If standard AWD, a lower starting price, and Mitsubishi's long powertrain warranty line up with what you're looking for, take a look at our current Eclipse Cross inventory. You can also check out the full feature breakdown or stop by 3734 S State St in Salt Lake City to see one in person and get a feel for the S-AWC system yourself.
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