Jaguar I-Pace vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
What's the difference?

Jaguar I-Pace

—

2023 price

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

$16,990 - $36,850

2022 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G580

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE400

Mercedes-Benz GLE450

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz Gls450

Mercedes-Benz Gls600

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Rolls-Royce Spectre (bev)

Summary

2023 Jaguar I-Pace

2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Matt Campbell

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Inline 4, 2.4L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

—

1.9L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

23.0 kWh/100km

16.8 kWh/100km

Electric range

446 km

55 km

Battery capacity

90.00 kWh

13.80 kWh

Seating

Likes

Bold and distinctive design
Suitably upmarket cabin presentation
Dynamic balance, comfort and performance

Smooth between petrol and EV
About 50km of real-world electric driving possible
Three different trim levels available

Dislikes

Poor rear vision
Equipment levels are sparse for the price
Expensive options

Too expensive for what you get
Smaller boot and back seat than non-PHEV models
Poor human-machine interaction

2023 Jaguar I-Pace Summary

What sets the most iconic Jaguars apart?

Here’s a theory. Consider history’s greatest: the 1948 XK, its 1961 E-Type replacement and the first XJ of 1968. We’re talking about a grand tourer, sports car and luxury sedan respectively that broke ground in each of their segments.

Despite being a sales disappointment, let’s add the 2018 I-Pace to this elite group.

Like the others, it was a pioneer, this time in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) SUV field, beating most competitors and seemingly influencing newer ones ever since, from the excellent Kia EV6 to the coming Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Now, five years and a comprehensive update later, we revisit the 2023 I-Pace to see if it’s still a standout.

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2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Summary

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a new high-tech powertrain that allows it to run as an electric car, or run using the petrol engine, or even use both at the same time.

But the new hybrid SUV is not like a Toyota hybrid - because this one can be plugged in at home to recharge the batteries, and you should be able to get at least 50 kilometres of EV driving out of just a few dollars worth of electricity.

We’re talking about the new 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid EV, or PHEV as we’ve called it in the past. The brand has renamed it to include both ‘Hybrid’ and ‘EV’ in the name because, well, it reckons those terms have a bit more cut-through today than when the company first launched its Outlander PHEV back in 2014.

But with the new Eclipse Cross PHEV variants attracting a huge premium over the regular petrol-turbo models, does the extra money buy you a better car? Let’s find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Jaguar I-Pace 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Verdict

In the 1960s Jaguar used to promote its range as providing “grace, space and pace”. Nowadays, the I-Pace may as well also be known as the I-Grace and I-Space, because all three terms still ring true.

Jaguars were never cheap but the greatest hits felt like exceptional value because they were special. The same applies here. Five years might seem like an eternity, but age has not yet wearied the British luxury EV SUV nearly as much as you might imagine. Especially when optioned up as per our test vehicle.

Bereft of any post-modern brand baggage, the I-Pace remains a modern great. If only more buyers would catch on to that.

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid EV is an interesting inclusion for the brand, especially as it is typically considered a ‘value player’ in the market.

But with negligible real-world fuel consumption benefits if you drive beyond the limited EV range and a high price premium over the non-PHEV models, it’s important you see if the sums add up for your particular needs.

Primarily going to use the car for running around town? Cool. Think the 50-ish-kay EV range will work for you and make you happy? Amazing. Sold on the look of the car? Hat tipped.

But let me say this - if you are considering the Eclipse Cross PHEV, there are some alternatives you should also have on your list, including the MG HS PHEV, the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV, Kia Niro PHEV, and - the one I’d buy - a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. For me, plug-in hybrid tech is a bit of a halfway house, in most instances offering too high a price premium for the range you’re getting to drive electric. Heck, a Kona Electric isn’t much more than the top-spec Exceed PHEV, and I’d have that if I wanted a real day-to-day EV experience.

Jaguar I-Pace vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Jaguar I-Pace vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
What's the difference?