Ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi has lifted the curtain on a new compact crossover with a familiar — but now confusing — name.
Yes, the 2018 Eclipse Cross bastardizes the memory of that sporty coupe your 18-year-old co-worker once owned, but the name is the least of anyone’s concerns right now. Shoehorned into the lineup to give Mitsubishi a new player in a scorching-hot segment, the Eclipse Cross sports styling that can charitably be described as controversial.
Greeting the Eclipse Cross buyer is a Transformers-like face that bears Mitsubishi’s signature “Dynamic Shield” design language, which could shield the brand from sales — at least, from some CUV shoppers. Then again, this face isn’t entirely new, and aggressive, gaping front fascias have become the norm in the industry.
More interesting is the model’s steeply raked rear window, giving the vehicle that all-important coupe-like profile, as well a deeply etched character line that intercepts the taillights and saves its flanks from the blandness seen on other CUVs. The automaker clearly isn’t worried about polarizing styling. With the Outlander Sport soon to be punted down the size ladder, the compact Eclipse Sport aims for immediate recognition, be it good or bad. Want a generic crossover? Head for a Journey or Rogue. Mitsubishi’s going it’s own way.
Whether or not it has gone too far in that direction remains to be seen. The Eclipse Sport’s rear end earned one mention of the vilified and (in some circles) revered Pontiac Aztek in TTAC’s morning Slack chat. Much like that General Motors conveyance, this crossover’s rear glass isn’t happy existing as just a single pane. However, unlike Walter White’s pre-prosperity ride, Mitsubishi has seen fit to extend the raised taillamps along the length of that horizontal split. Well, almost. When lit, the two lamps reach for each other, but never touch.
Mitsubishi describes the taillights has possessing “almost cubist styling,” — a bold claim, as few automakers want their creations associated with Picasso. Speaking of glass, there’s much to be found up top. A panoramic sunroof allows backseat passengers to use the 60/40 split bench’s slide-and-recline function to gaze at the clouds.
The vehicle’s infotainment functions, accessed via a touchpad controller and heads-up display, include connectivity for Apple and Android users. Mitsubishi doesn’t want to be caught lacking in the tech department.
Under the hood, a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four of unspecified power provides the motivation, coupled to a continuously variable transmissions with eight-speed manual mode. The model debuts in Europe with an available 2.2-liter diesel, but don’t expect to see it on these shores. Four-wheel traction is a must, and Mitsubishi’s electronically-controlled system adds brake-activated active yaw control to reign in adventurous body movements.
The automaker plans to roll out the Eclipse Cross in Europe first, starting this fall. After that, Japan and North America are next in line to receive the brand’s polarizing crossover.
[Image: Mitsubishi Motors]
Side view gives me hints of CR-V, while the front and back are just terrible. And once again, they’re delaying bringing a CUV to the biggest CUV market (the US), why? Look how long they delayed the Outlander, and the EV one isn’t even here yet, years later.
Practical point: Those lights ON the rear window are going to cause horrible glare in night driving situations.
This isn’t a review, and doesn’t claim to be – fair enough.
I take this post as more of a warning. The Aztek tail alone may doom this vehicle.
I’m having trouble seeing the “Aztek-clone” tail.
Between this and the Joke, the Aztek was certainly ahead of its time.
Nice retro 1986 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback design. Intentional?
Far more clean and less hideous/overwrought than new Honda CR-V !!!
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/02/2017-honda-cr-v-touring-awd-review-effective-efficient-not-effervescent/
*A$$ excepted. Mitsubishi can’t shake it’s a$$ fetish no matter what.
I was just going to say, if you blurred out the badge and told me it was a Honda I wouldn’t question you in the slightest.
That’s the only controversial thing I see, that they stole Honda’s front end – then added the Civic’s pre-production taillights.
No way. I saw the CR-V in person, it looks fine. Stop trying so hard.
STOP HIKING REAR BELTLINES UP LIKE I DO MY PANTS!
You’d better do as he says, he’s got all sort of mystical powers.
Last time them little b*st*rds p1ssed me off (4th gen CRV) they got Fukushima.
Horrible.
Just die already.
This car gets the gas face.
Front end is tasteful by today’s standards. Agree both that it is Aztek-esque from the rear (I always liked the Aztek, at least the early ones with the plastic cladding. Like the Element, it looked stupid once they got rid of the plastic and made it all body colour) and is far better looking than the CR-V.
Looks good – in a strangely original way. So many comments about the Aztek rear, but I don’t see anything similar to an Aztek at all.
Mitsubishi is now the Japanese car maker for those car buyers who are not aware that Toyota exists.
I think Mitsu is more the Japanese brand for folks who want a new Toyota but have a 590 FICO score.
Outside looks ok, Engine looks proper, Interior looks good. Hope chassis is good. I hope Mitsubishi has a lot of success with this car.
Interior might ‘look’ good in photos, but if recent Mitsubishi products are any indication, the surfaces will be made of Mattel-level hard plastic.
Despite the name, it is not an Eclipse. It’s simply too different from its predecessor, which will repel previous Eclipse owners while the name itself will inhibit those who equate it with a sporty model instead of a CUV.
Personally, I consider this a fail as there are already too many CUVs on the road with established reputations and well-known brands. Mitsubishi should play to its strengths, not its weaknesses.
Despite the name, the 3rd and 4th generations of Eclipses weren’t really Eclipses, and yet represent the longest chunk of the model’s history. Besides, I’d be very comfortable betting that your average new buyer of a 3rd/4th gen Eclipse is driving a crossover these days, and might be the type to be sold on a budget BMW X6.
I like it.
More evidence that the Aztek – like many things GM does – was simply ahead of its time.
As to the questions at hand, is this an Eclipse?
*Does the dash crack when exposed to excessive sunlight, like, 2 days-a-month’s worth?
*Does it have a tinny, toy starter solenoid?
*Will it blow oil out of every orifice?
*Is a main selling a OMGZROCKFORDFOSGATE stereo?
*Can I buy it with my two prior repossessions?
If so, then its an Eclipse to me.
What, no PHEV?
PS please don’t fall to Mitsu marketing ploy that puts in the same bag the AYC of the Eclipse, with an active differential, and a normal wheel-braked open differential. Yes, the latter is better than simple ESP, but still nothing to write home about.
Everyone screaming “AZTEK” is wrong. Mitsu is channeling strong 5 door Colt/3 door Cordia vibes from the 80s. Just as bad if not worse but it’s important to properly cite the source of influence.
My best friend had a turbo Eclipse. God but we loved that car. Sure seemed fast in it’s day, even if my wife’s Volvo wagon would crush it in a quarter mile, as would any midsize V6 sedan.
This thing looks ok. I have wondered when Mitsubishi, which made pretty good cars at one time, was going to either try harder or go home. Looks like they are trying harder.
It’s more conventional than any Lexus I’ve seen recently.
The basic question I have is this. Can a CUV be too ugly?
You mean like the Nissan Juke? The Eclipse is downright staid next to that.
“a bold claim, as few automakers want their creations associated with Picasso.”
Just Citroen, really.
The few of these that move in the US, will sell on the deal, rather than on the hardware. At this point, Ally Bank is far more a factor than Mitsubishi Engineering.
https://www.mitsubishicars.com/finance-plans
Is this vehicle still based off of the old Lancer platform, or do Mitsubishi have something more modern to underpin this car?
LOL Slack. But at least it’s not Discord.
“bastardizes the memory of that sporty coupe”
No. The last generation Eclipse took care of that.
Mitsubishi is in extreme financial problems which is why they reuse model names. Recently the “Space Star” was re-introduced as a city hatch. It was previously an MPV.
The styling is almost a requirement in the current market. Try to compare it to the new Ateca and CH-R, or is it C-HR? The Ateca already looks a decade old compared to the crazy anime styling from the land of the rising sun.