‘The car has no problem with the caravan’
Every few years Mitsubishi turns our country upside down. Do we remember the Carisma, the car for which everyone and their mother hung a large red poster behind the window? About two decades later, the Outlander PHEV swept our country. As a result, you would almost forget that it has had a little brother since 2017: the striking Eclipse Cross. Why choose this? The user reviews will have to tell.
At its introduction, Mitsubishi offered customers of its strikingly designed crossover little choice. The only available engine was a 1.5-liter petrol with 163 hp, optionally manual or with a CVT automatic transmission and also available with four-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid, with which big brother Outlander became famous, passed over the Eclipse. At least until 2021, because from the moment Mitsubishi smoothed out the design, this plug-in has been the only available variant. Whichever powertrain is chosen, it can go to work. It is striking that many review writers put it in front of the caravan.
Practical properties
Even if there is no rut hut hanging on the hook, a car must have something to offer. What about the Eclipse Cross? “Interior space is good, both in the front and on the back seat,” reports the driver of a 2022 PHEV. “The trunk is a bit on the small side for us, but that’s okay.” And about the seating furniture: “For me, the chairs could have had a slightly longer seat for more leg support.”
Other users also find the trunk space limited. “The space in the trunk is packed smarter during the holidays,” says a First Edition driver euphemistically. “The trunk is noticeably smaller than that of a Qashqai, and the ‘parcel shelf’ (rolling deck) is not really great,” adds a second First Edition driver. The driver of a young Eclipse Cross PHEV, built in 2023, is also critical. “What is really no longer possible with such a car is the lack of an automatic tailgate. That really has to be the case. The valve is difficult to open and you really have to push.”
Seating comfort
We just read something about seating comfort, time to explore that a little further. Other drivers are quite satisfied with the installed seats. “I would have liked to sit a little deeper in the car and with a slightly longer seat,” writes the driver of a First Edition, “but after a few weeks I don’t really care about that anymore.” The owner of a 2022 Eclipse Cross PHEV Prestige discusses the seating position. “The seats are comfortable and it is a pleasure to drive this car. I pulled the handlebar towards me in the maximum position, it does not go any further but it is sufficient for me, length is 1.75 meters.” The owner of a 1.5 DI-T Instyle from 2018 proves that it can be even shorter: “The seats and seating position are just good.”
Controls and infotainment
We read little remarkable about the operation of the Eclipse Cross. The owner of a 2022 PHEV Intense notes the following: “Fine, a bit simple and some strange buttons for the seat heating. The infotainment system is adequate but does not excel. I use navigation via Android Auto, so I have no experience with TomTom navigation yet.”
Calling via Bluetooth has a strange characteristic, at least according to the owner of an Eclipse Cross Instyle from 2018. “The sound when making calls only comes from the front right box and is difficult to understand,” he writes. “According to the garage, this is how it should be, and the booklet does not mention any setting adjustment.” The Eclipse compensates with another function, which is positively appreciated. “The head-up display, our eyes are getting older, and you don’t have to focus as much to see your speed.” This is also well received by the driver of the 2023 mode, who highlights another positive characteristic. “The interior of the Eclipse Cross looks solid, with a nice head-up display and a radio with a volume knob!”
Someone who drives the Eclipse Cross as a lead car is less impressed. “The screen and navigation system seem 10 years old, are small and old-fashioned. It does support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as long as you use this it is acceptable.” It turns out not to be the only complaint. “There is also the issue of beeps, which are more prevalent in Asian cars, but Mitsubishi is very generous with this. Unfortunately, it is not clear what they are warning about.”
This is how the Eclipse Cross drives
About the handling of his Eclipse, a 2022 PHEV First Edition driver reports: “It’s not a sporty car at all, but I wasn’t looking for that either. I practice ‘the new driving’, I am happy and completely familiar with the regeneration paddles and I think I would miss them if they were not also in my next car.” That is also what the owner of a comparable PHEV with the same year of manufacture experiences. “The car is not made for throwing around corners, it is too heavy for that: almost 2 tons! Steers nice and direct. I do experience a lot of wind noise above 120/130 km/h, probably due to the large mirrors.”
The lack of sporting aspirations also has an advantage, according to a third PHEV owner. “Yesterday we drove 1100 kilometers in one piece, with 4 short stops, back home and because of the peace and comfort in the car we still got out of the car feeling fit. I would give 5 stars for comfort!” The driver of the lead car experiences the same thing, but can’t resist giving a sneer in one go. “The chassis is clearly adjusted for comfort and in this area the car is suitable for longer journeys. You can absolutely forget about sporty cornering and this results in anxious moments.”
Eclipse Cross with caravan
Driving with trailers is an important reason why ‘our’ drivers purchase an Eclipse Cross. And he reportedly does pulling with verve. “The Eclipse Cross is a heavy car and the traction is very good,” experiences the driver of a 2023 PHEV Instyle. “The car has no problem with the caravan and also when merging onto the Autobahn, with a shorter merge lane, there is enough power to merge quickly.”
He does draw attention to an interesting feature. “What is special about this car is the fact that the engine speed has no relation to the power. The engine is only there to charge the driving battery and that takes some getting used to. This means that sometimes the engine is working hard when you don’t need a lot of power and sometimes, when you need a lot of power, the engine slows down because the battery is already sufficiently charged.”
This characteristic is recognized by a trailer camper, who experiences the behavior as less pleasant. “When the battery is empty and the speed is below 80 km/h, the petrol engine generates power for the electric motor, which then drives the wheels. This is fine up to 50 km/h, but especially with a full holiday car with trailer tent and at a speed of 50-80 km/h the engine revs and makes a lot of noise. I really didn’t like this as much.” By the way, it is also experienced that way without a trailer. “When the battery is charged, the Eclipse Cross drives smoothly through city traffic,” according to the lead driver. “However, when the battery is empty, the petrol engine is switched on, which does not directly drive the wheels, but generates power for the electric motors. This gives a very unnatural feeling.”
An Eclipse Cross 1.5 DI-T 2wd driver advises against using adaptive cruise control when driving downhill. “The car not only used the engine to slow down, but also the brakes. So in the future it will be downhill without cruise control.” This is not the only point of criticism of the system. “The ACC will bounce if the speed difference between the set speed and the speed of the vehicle in front is too great. Set to 95, with a predecessor driving at 80, the car keeps driving towards it and then applies the brakes. Resetting the ACC to 82 is then the remedy.” This feature still exists in a younger PHEV (2021), the owner notices during a ride with the caravan. “I drive with the trucks as much as possible, at a safe distance but without the adaptive CC. It keeps crawling towards trucks and then slows down, takes too much distance and then uses more energy to get closer again.”
Maintenance, malfunctions and irritations
Good news: owners of the Eclipse Cross report no structural deficiencies. There have been complaints about the supplied app, which only works within a radius of 10 to 15 meters around the car. “We don’t gain much from that,” says the driver of a 2023 PHEV Instyle. But the annoyance does not end there. “When I got home I noticed that the PHEV information on the multimedia screen no longer worked. Called the dealer and then, in consultation with the dealer, everything was reset. However, with no results and a new computer has now been ordered that should arrive in 6 weeks and the problem will be resolved.” Another rider is also not happy with it. “The app worked fine, although you had to be close to the car, until it stopped working. Reinstalled and configured on the advice of the dealer, after which it worked again for a while. But it dropped out again and now it is no longer possible to sail any country with it. Incomprehensible.”
The owner of a 1.5 DI-T discovered a bigger problem. “Topping up 500 ml of oil in December, and in mid-April a long drive had to be made, the gauge was checked again, well below the minimum. Then a bell went off in my head: this is not possible!” What was going on? “The finish of the engine was removed, and sure enough, 1 greasy mess, 1 oil hose on the engine was abraded and it was leaking oil.” Unfortunately, the story does not mention what caused this problem, but after solving the problem the oil level remains at the correct level.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is therefore often chosen as a caravan tractor and offers strength and stability. Yet, especially in the case of the PHEV, there is a characteristic feature that comes into play that not everyone can appreciate. According to users, the adaptive cruise control also needs improvement, just like the app. In terms of practical properties, the car appears to be ‘just on’, with many comments in particular about the relatively small trunk. Nevertheless, owners and users seem largely satisfied with the overall package.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl