2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Owner’s Manual

Older fans of the Mitsubishi brand might still have sentimental attachments to the Eclipse name as it represents a link to one of the Japanese automaker’s greatest hits: the Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car, which was discontinued in 2012. However, if you’re hoping for a revival of that nameplate’s spirit, you’ll be disappointed by the 2023 Eclipse Cross.

Save for the name and a coupe-esque sloping rear, this compact SUV has nothing to do with the sporty coupe that was a reviewers’ favorite.

The 2023 Eclipse Cross tries to stand out with its futuristic and flashy design but finds it challenging to compete, banking primarily on its exterior looks, with other compact SUVs that offer a smoother and more sophisticated ride.

Inside, the nameplate also packs a decent interior, with some modern features and a roomy cargo area. Still, it lacks the polish and quality of rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, and the Volkswagen Tiguan. While it isn’t a bad SUV, it's not a great one either and is best described as a decent, middle-of-the-pack option created as a mediocre attempt at recreating the glory of the Eclipse name.

For 2023, changes to this nameplate include Mitsubishi now offering all-wheel drive standard on all trims, standard LEDs for headlights and foglights and new 18-inch wheel designs. The SE trim now gets aesthetic silver-colored accents on the front bumper, while the higher SEL model now features body-colored tones underneath.

Things remain the same under the hood, with the sole engine choice being a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces a measly 152 horsepower and comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.