DRIVELIFE
2021 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS VRX Sequels Sell Written by DriveLife online
When I heard that Mitsubishi was reviving the Eclipse name, I got excited. Although it never reached our shores, the Mitsubishi Eclipse was a performance coupe, and a hero car in 2 Fast 2 Furious. It was perfect for the role too, using the same engine as found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. So upon discovering that the Eclipse model name had wound-up being emblazoned on the back of a Crossover, the exact opposite of a performance coupe, I was to put it mildly - rather annoyed. But the target market of the Eclipse Cross today isn’t likely to know that the name was first used on a performance coupe from the 90’s. I suppose it’s also an easier job for Mitsubishi’s marketing team and for the intellectual property lawyers to reuse an existing name. Besides, other car companies have committed equally as bad, if not greater offences lately. Ford’s Mustang EV SUV springs to mind. It’s the world we live in, and Crossovers are the big sellers. By this logic, I guess they are a performance car, if you define your life by balance sheets and cash flow statements. The Eclipse Cross should theoretically be good for shareholder performance. Anyway, so what does an Eclipse Cross get you? Mitsubishi would argue that it’s 2 0 CAPRICORN IGNITION AUGUST 2021
a versatile family crossover, taking you to the “edge of adventure” – Mitsi’s words, not mine. Mitsubishi dangled some keys in front of us, and we nabbed them. Fred and I both drove the Eclipse Cross. We’ll both give our opinion on whether the Eclipse Cross is a competent performer.
THE RANGE The Eclipse Cross range is offered with two trim levels, the base-spec XLS and the topspec VRX, configured with either 2WD or 4WD. This means there’s four total Eclipse Cross models to choose from. These are priced below; 2WD XLS - $35,990 VRX - $41,990 4WD XLS - $37,990 VRX - $43,990
Even in the base XLS specification, the Cross offers a decent array of features including 18’’ alloys, 8" infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio, cloth seats, Push Button Start/Stop, Keyless Entry, Rain Sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, LED taillights and daytime running lights, auto high-beams, automatic climate control and cruise control. There’s also plenty of safety tech onboard, including; 7 airbags, Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation, Hill Start Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. All of this allows the Eclipse Cross to gain a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Upgrade to th e VRX spec, and you’ll gain heated front and rear seats, electric front seats, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, an autodimming rear-view mirror, Dual-Zone Climate Control, a heads-up display, Multi Around View Monitor (side and top-down cameras) and a tandem sunroof.
