Given that Mitsubishi’s quick and relatively smooth normally-aspirated 2.4L four should easily fit under the hood, it is a mystery as to why the firm opted for a low-horsepower 1.5L turbocharged engine, While the car will escape its shadow when pushed hard, overall performance is quite unwilling and wheezy. The steering has morphed from twitchy to detached, but does hold its line better on the highway than before. Ride and handling are underwhelming and below class standards. It is hard to see what the appeal would be for a customer looking at this car. The very high cowl leaves drivers feeling buried in the car and and the car feels wide and hard to place when on the road. The Mitsubishi all-wheel drive system works very well. Heating is near instantaneous but it is hard to modulate the heat and most occupants end up having to open a window. Fierce seat heaters.

The front seats are substantial, but feel overstuffed and lumpy. The rear seat is comfortable and legroom is quite reasonable front and rear. Several rear seat passengers complained of hard to latch seatbelts. The cargo space is long and deep below the window line. Cabin materials are class competitive except for the piano black trim, which scratches easily. The new climate and audio controls work well but the audio system sound quality was, with an incredibly muffled sound, one of the worst experienced in a car in recent years.

Both the tailgate and hood are exceptionally heavy and the tailgate does not open sufficiently well in cold weather.

Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross is a crossover fastback coupe in the spirit of German vehicles like the BMW X4 and X6. The dimensions are similar to those of the Mitsubishi’s RVR that is built on the same platform. A 1.5L turbo four powers all four wheels via a CVT transmission.

At over $30,000, the base Eclipse Cross, the ES, with all-wheel drive, alloy wheels, forward collision warning, including pedestrians, the iOS-Android cellphone interface and heated front seats, is reasonably well equipped for the price asked. The SE upgrade, adds a leather-covered, heated steering wheel, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, dual-zone climate control, fog lights, power-fold door mirrors and keyless start, is reasonably priced. The SEL, with a lane departure warning, a 360 degree camera system, a head-up display system, heated rear seats, a power driver’s seat and upgraded fabrics, is good value. The GT range-topper includes navigation, leather seating and a dual-panel sunroof, is well worth taking if you like the equipment. However, the GT, at nearly $40,000, is still a mediocre car at best and can’t match the suave excellence of something like the similarly-priced Mazda CX-30 GT.

Not rated, insufficient data. Most other Mitsubishi models have been reliable. The new 1.5 turbo is unproven. 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty.