We video test the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross VRX

Despite its ever-increasing sales arc, actually new models have been few and far between for Mitsubishi in the last decade, which is precisely why the Eclipse Cross is so important to the Japanese brand.

The Eclipse Cross is the Japanese company’s latest entrant in the popular SUV segment, and that is arguably the segment that saved Mitsubishi from its troubles, thanks to the success of the Outlander, as well as the ASX.

Sitting in between the Outlander and the ASX in terms of both size and pricing, the Eclipse Cross brings a new level of technology to Mitsubishi SUVs, as well as an all-new engine in the form of a 1.5-litre petrol turbo four-cylinder unit that produces 112kW of power and 254Nm of torque. 

While the Eclipse Cross is new in terms of that it is a new vehicle in Mitsubishi’s one up, it still sits on the same platform as the Outlander, ASX and the recently departed Lancer, and while this is now a rather old platform, what Mitsubishi has achieved with it under the Eclipse Cross it is a testament to its engineers.

The Eclipse Cross has a nicely agile nature that combines with an excellent ride to make it both more nimble than an Outlander and more composed than an ASX. 

This mature ride/handling compromise is only enhanced by the free-revving, torquey nature of the new engine, that, despite its modest capacity, is more than capable of pulling the Eclipse Cross around at a decent rate.

The upgraded continuously variable transmission does an admirable job of pretending to be a conventional automatic and largely avoids the flaring issues that traditionally plague this kind of transmission, making the entire powertrain a pleasantly smooth and refined one, particularly around town.

Inside, the Eclipse Cross boasts a modern, attractive interior that is solidly put together and impressively comfortable and, while even the base model is well equipped, the top-spec VRX model we test here is packed to the gills with new safety and infotainment technology.

Every Eclipse Cross comes standard with forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning, while the VRX picks up adaptive cruise control (which now works right down to standstill), blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a colour head-up display.

For more information go to www.mmnz.co.nz/vehicles/eclipse-cross