Mitsubishi Continues to Struggle in U.S. with 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Despite being known as one of the fairly popular Mitsubishi models since its launch in 1989, the Eclipse has struggled to establish a presence in the United States amid tough competition in the segment.

But Mitsubishi, once known for its fun-to-drive sport compacts, is not one to give up as it just introduced its newest compact crossover: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

The five-door crossover, however, is different from other crossovers in the market today. It is far from being the sporty and good-looking kind that bagged a role in the “2 Fast 2 Furious” film in 2001. And while it has samurai sword chrome grille accents that may look appealing to some, the model receives complaints on visibility due to its creased rear hatch that looks so much like that of the Pontiac Aztek.

Its SEL Model comes equipped with standard LED headlights and the basic Eclipse Cross LED taillights, plus roomy first and second row. There is also significant absence of hard plastics and cheap materials, which suggests a luxurious feel. But the overall interior appears underwhelming to consumers.

All Eclipse Cross trims are fitted with seven-inch touchscreens that can be controlled with a touchpad in the center console. But Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, as well as the Rockford Fosgate sound system, are optional in some models.

A feature that might give the Eclipse Cross a chance to take a huge share of market sales in the crossover segment, however, is the camera system that allows drivers to see how close they are to the curb and the car in front in addition to the bird’s eye-view camera.

The 2019 Eclipse Cross runs on a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an automatic transmission with prices starting at $23,595. It comes with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty or a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.