Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2021 review: Aspire 2WD

The Eclipse Cross is fairly out there looking for a Mitsubishi, because it’s competing in an area with cars that are also not very traditional in design. This Mitsubishi feels very 2021 with crazy shaped headlight detail and an angular rear end. 

The interior looks pretty good for a car in this price bracket but do keep your expectations realistic as you’ll still get mostly man-made materials on the dash and doors, but the seats in this Aspire model are finished in a micro suede and leather which look lovely and feel even better when sitting for long journeys. 

The centre console is nicely designed with some high-gloss areas.

The centre console is nicely designed with some high-gloss areas and everything is neatly laid out. 

The driver's seat is power adjustable which is great for a car in this category. 

The driver's seat is power adjustable.

For storage, there are two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone, plus bottle holders in each door. 

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest which some small SUVs don’t have, but there are no directional air vents and my children miss that air on skin when it’s 40 degrees. 

The centre console sports an 8.0-inch multimedia screen which is a similar size to others in the category. You’ll get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which means you never have to touch your phone while driving again, all your navigation, music and phone calls are controlled on the touchscreen.

That said, the sound through the speakers is not great, but you can still turn the music up as long as it’s not too loud. 

Driving is good enough in the Eclipse Cross Aspire but it’s not an amazing driving experience. Still, it drives along smoothly with a steering wheel that turns easily and it gets you around suburbia perfectly fine. But it’s nothing you’re going to chat to your friends about. 

All Eclipse Cross models have a 1.5L turbo engine and it was fine to get up hills. It did surprise me when I drove it along a busy Christmas highway on the day everyone was trying to get out of Sydney - it was actually really good to overtake and I felt confident on the road. 

Driving is good enough in the Eclipse Cross Aspire but it’s not an amazing driving experience.

This one is a 2WD, though there is an AWD option a few models up in the range if that’s what you’re after.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.3L/100km and I did an average of 7.6/100km with combined city and highway driving. 

All Eclipse Cross models have a 1.5L turbo engine.

There’s a small-ish turning circle on the Eclipse Cross and it’s a good size to be able to get into most parking spots. The reverse parking camera isn’t super high-res but there is a 360-degree view display which is great in this price bracket. 

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Aspire sits in the middle of the range and costs $34,990, before on-road costs and extras.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.3L/100km on the combined (urban, extra-urban) cycle and I did an average of 7.6L/100km doing exactly that mix of city and highway driving. 

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Aspire sits in the middle of the range and costs $34,990.

It’s covered by Mitsubishi’s five year/100,000 km warranty which can also be extended to an 10 years/200,000km warranty if you get it serviced through the authorised Mitsubishi Motors dealer network.