Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2024 review: Plug-in Hybrid EV ES long-term | Part 3

It’s gone. I’ve handed the key fob for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) back to its rightful owner, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited.

If you read the previous instalment of this long-term review, you know I haven’t been using the ‘plug-in’ bit of the plug-in hybrid’s capabilities, either, in an effort to find out how bad its fuel economy can get if you really can't be bothered.

And I will, but first I want to talk about value for money.

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Explore the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Range

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2024 review: Plug-in Hybrid EV ES long-term | Part 3 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2023 review: Plug-in Hybrid EV Exceed Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2022 review: PHEV

A refresher. The ES PHEV starts from $47,290, before on-roads, making it $15,800 more expensive than the equivalent non-hybrid’s $31,490.

For about $30,000 you can get a Mazda CX-30 (launched less than five years ago), a Kia Sportage (which is larger) or a new-gen Nissan Qashqai (comes with six, not four speakers).

Add the apparent cost of the plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and for just under $50,000 you can get a base model Volkswagen Tiguan (ooh, Euro), a Hyundai Kona N (206kW, fun!), or a Honda HR-V hybrid with claimed fuel efficiency of 4.3L/100km.

The ES PHEV starts from ,290, before on-roads. (Image: Chris Thompson)

I bring up the Honda as an example because that was my previous long-termer, and initially I felt a little underwhelmed by it, as I had with the Eclipse Cross on picking it up.

But the Honda grew on me and after managing to get its fuel consumption down to 5.3L/100km in my third month with it, the way it’s built, its frugality and simplicity won me over.

That brings me to the Eclipse Cross and its fuel figures. Month one, I wasn’t super-strict with myself but plugged it in for a couple of charges and managed 6.4L/100km. Month two, I was a lot more plug-in disciplined for 6.1L/100km thanks to a day trip with a car full of friends and four (mostly) unplugged hours of driving.

The PHEV ES is ,800 more expensive than the equivalent non-hybrid’s ,490. (Image: Chris Thompson)

In its last month, I wanted to see how the Eclipse Cross drank without the benefit of a full battery at all. That came to 8.5L/100km.

Of course, that’s about the worst you’ll get out of the Eclipse Cross, but to hit the brand’s claimed 1.9L/100km, you’d pretty much need to remain within the confines of the city and keep it plugged in every night.

And if that’s something you can do, then the Eclipse Cross is going to save you a bunch on your fuel bill. Maybe even $15,800, eventually. But that HR-V I mentioned earlier? No plugging in, and still a lower overall fuel consumption, as tested.

The PHEV ES features halogen headlights. (Image: Chris Thompson)

But if you’re spending that much, you’ll probably also want a car that’s nice to drive and has nice features, and the little Mitsi sort of misses the mark there.

Last month I talked about it being a decent enough car to commute in, but one that’s not going to set your world alight on a spirited drive.

Inside, there’s a four-speaker sound system that lacks quality, a dated 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, manually adjustable cloth seats, halogen headlights outside and a lack of safety kit like rear cross-traffic alert or blind-spot warning.

To hit the brand’s claimed 1.9L/100km, you’d pretty much need to remain within the confines of the city and keep it plugged in every night. (Image: Chris Thompson)

The Aspire trim fixes a lot of the ‘lacking’ areas with twice as many speakers, LED headlights and more safety, and is only a little more at $51,240, so if you’re already spending this much to plug in, you might as well go the extra cost to get some features.

I think it’s unfortunate I ended up spending three months in what’s likely the least sensible model in the Eclipse Cross PHEV line-up, unless you’re a fleet buyer looking to get everyone running on electric power, mod-cons be damned.

If it had just a few more frills, bells and or whistles, near-on $50,000 wouldn’t feel so rude. 

Acquired: August 2023

Distance travelled this month: 407km

Odometer: 3391km

Fuel consumption this month: 8.47L/100km