Reincarnated in an SUV body

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL

By Randi Payton // Decisive Media Network

The Mitsubishi Eclipse nameplate which ended its reign as a sports compact car in 2011,  returned in 2018 as a crossover SUV. But don’t let the name fool you, it’s an all-new SUV that goes up against some of toughest competitors in the hottest market.

Although the two vehicles share the same name, they are in different classes. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross builds on the sporty performance and driver-focused features that made the retired Eclipse car popular  

I tested the 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross which came loaded with the latest technology and safety features and at a reasonable price. The 4-door Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL I tested started at $28,195 MSRP. The final sale price tag came to $32,610 with the fully-loaded package.

Standard equipment on the base model SEL included 18-inch alloy wheels, LCD color display, 7-inch infotainment display with touchpad control, heads-up display, cruise control, 8-way power driver’s seat, LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights, fog lamps, leather seats and more.

Optional features included a dual-pane power panoramic sunroof, 710-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with nine speakers, forward collision and lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and roof racks. The interior design is attractive and user-friendly, with a combination of soft plastic and leather materials.

I was equally impressed by the smooth and powerful performance of the 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which generated 152 horsepower and is paired with a variable automatic transmission. The suspension provided a comfortable ride and at the same time, handled corners and rough city streets like a champ.