Eclipse Cross VS Competition

Aleksander said:

Its important to note that the Eclipse is the only model in that chart that has a turbocharged engine. For those considering aftermarket modifications, that's a selling point alone. Both the CH-R and Rogue Sport have been criticized for having lackluster performance, especially off the line.

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I don't know that I'd position the EC against the Rogue. Having now seen an EC up close and in person, I'm thinking it's more likely up against the Juke—which makes 20% more horsepower (188).

My wife fell in love with the Juke at the LA Auto Show back in 2010. I tried getting her into an Outlander Sport, but once she got her first taste of boost that was it. Game over.

In terms of the aftermarket benefit, the fact that this is a factory turbocharged Mitsubishi is a huge plus. We haven't had one of those in years. Direct injection is also a major plus, as it potentially makes fuel system upgrades unnecessary as well. However the CVT is a real kick in the nuts. They're more fun than I think anyone would like to admit around town (says the guy who occasionally drives a 2011 Juke SV FWD CVT), but I think the general consensus is they're not made for big power.

Part of the reason why I'm here. I wanna make sure the rest of the Mitsu Familia knows where these machines shine.

Sorry, guys - nothing about this CVT is a positive. Regardless of what paper says.

1. Tuning for "stepped" / simulated gears is horrible, and you can experience it by noticing random drops in RPM when downshifting. Why?
2. The final drive ratio on the CVT is so high (6.386!!!) that totally disregards any kind of benefit the turbocharged engine. I guess it needs it to get as much torque at lower RPMs , that you really lose that feeling of having "power on demand" at higher speeds!
3. The CVT does NOTHING to improve fuel efficiency for this vehicle. You have to rev so hard to even get the car up to speed (again, notice Final Drive Ratio comment above) on an on-ramp that you can say goodbye to your MPG. Definitely not smiles per gallon here.
4. Good luck trying to tune the vehicle for more HP/TQ. The Jatco CVT is easily the single weakest link in any Mitsubishi designed in recent years.

Final comment: The CVT is a non-serviceable unit. That means, if you break it, you replace the whole thing. This is the one thing in your Cross that might as well be sold by Walmart. You can't buy performance parts for it. You can't even replace it without buying a whole new one. And, oh - NO ONE knows how to tune this thing. So, good luck trying to get any better performance from it.

Mitsubishi should have just kept their contracts with Aisin-Warner or … better... Getrag. Either of the two would have made WORLDs of difference in both how the vehicle performs by design, … or could, if modified.

In my country, within a period of 3 years, I drove the new Toyota Rush 1.5, Toyota CHR 1.2T and 1.8 Hybrid, Honda HRV 1.8, Honda Vezel 1.5 Hybrid, Nissan Qashqai 1.2T and 2.0, Datsun Cross 1.2, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5T, Mitsubishi ASX 2.0, Mazda CX3 2.0, Suzuki Jimny 1.5, Suzuki Ignis 1.2, Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.6, Suzuki Vitara 1.6, Suzuki XL7 1.5, Subaru XV 1.6 and 2.0, Hyundai i20 Active 1.4, Hyundai Creta 1.6, Hyundai Venue 1.6, Kia Seltos 1.6, Kia Niro 1.6 Hybrid, Kia Sportage 1.6 and 2.0, Chevrolet Trax 1.4T, Ford EcoSport 1.0T, Jeep Compass 1.4T and the BAIC x25 1.5.

My favorites were the Vitara, XV and Eclipse Cross. To me, the XV and the Eclipse Cross are the best and the Vitara would come in 3rd place. The Kia Seltos and Sportage were absolute trash in my opinion. The Datsun Cross and BAIC x25 are amazingly inferior, they both would make a Daewoo Nubira/Llanos or Chevy Cavalier look like a Lexus. Now, if we had access to the Mazda CX-30 then I have a feeling that would have been my #1.Be it as it may, we are looking forward to this new addition and we trust that the performance and reliability we got in our Lancer and Galant back in 2009 and 1980 respectively would continue on the day of collection and beyond!

The only negative I can think about with the Eclipse Cross is that Jatco supplied transmission. Outside of that, I think its a winner and that 2021/2022 refresh looks horrid. The funky and polarizing look of the current Eclipse Cross identity was lost with that upcoming update. Lastly, if the rumors are correct where future Mitsubishis would share Renault/Nissan platforms then count me out. This could very well be our 3rd and last genuine Mitsubishi product. What a shame.

It will be the last pure Mitsubishi (if you can call it that) to be built. Unless something happens that Mitsubishi Corp bails out MMC and gives it back its independence, then don't expect any unique Mitsubishis any longer.

I hate to say it, but I helped convince a relative to purchase a Mazda CX30 lately (Premium, AWD, Navi). I would never buy a modern Nissan myself. And yet, all new Mitsubishis will be based on Nissan-Renault's shared platforms, and have Nissan engines (JATCO is Nissan). On a personal level, everything looks bleak.

The only thing that will remain is S-AWC (whatever that will be), and the plug-in hybrid capabilities in the PHEV line. And even those will be shared with Renault and Nissan. So, that does make me wonder if the plan is to mate PHEV components with Nissan mechanicals. If so, then say goodbye to Mitsubishi being able to stand on its own in the future.

If all cores and dies used to make Engines that go into a Mitsubishi are gone, then what constitutes the "Motors" in MMC? I know, it's a bit dramatic - but isn't that the point? I don't want to drive rebadged Nissans or Renaults. I want to drive Mitsubishis. Whatever...

When I travel, I used to rent nothing but Outlanders or Sports. Never Nissans. Recently, it's been Mazda (CX-5, mainly - then the CX30 when they came out in Feb 2020). On principle, I'd love to want to be in a new Mitsubishi to try out each week. But, when renting a Mitsubishi isn't the preferred option anymore, it's an even harder sell thinking about the purchase option --- even if the topic of necessity came about.

It's hard to stay loyal when it feels like a one-sided commitment all the time.
Again, all my future Mitsubishi vehicle purchases will be of the old ones. None of the new.