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 is slow and detached, but does hold its line on the highway in a satisfactory fashion. 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. 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 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 struts lose their energy 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 just over $29,000, 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. The SE upgrade, adds a leather-covered, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, hands-free power tailgate operation, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, L.E.D. headlights, lit vanity mirrors, a luggage cover, fog lights, power-fold door mirrors, power-fold mirrors and a host of minor features, is priced to reflect the value of its content. The SEL trim includes a lane departure warning, active cruise control, roof rails, heated rear seats, a power driver’s seat, an auto dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener buttons, a 360 degree camera system and a head up display system and is very good value. The Noir trim is essentially a black accent package and is priced to value. The GT brings along leather and navigation at a bargain price.

Not rated, insufficient data. Most other Mitsubishi models have been reliable. The 1.5 turbo is unproven and is at the mileage where, if there are any issues, they will start to be seen. The 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty may be absorbing any durability deficiencies.