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Value Play2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SE 1.5T AWD

DAN LYONS | text Special to the Times Union

All new last year, Eclipse Cross rolls into its sophomore season largely unchanged. The compact is sandwiched in the middle of

Mitsubishi’s crossover choices: above the Outlander Sport (MSRP $20,945) and below Outlander ($24,695). Eclipse Cross is offered in five trim levels: ES ($23,595), LE ($25,195), SP ($26,190), SE ($26,695) and SEL ($28,195). The ES price is for a front-wheel-drive model. AWD can be added to this trim level for an addi-

tional $600 (a bargain, that). All other trim levels have AWD as standard equipment. My test car was an SE. With two additional options (tonneau cover/$190, floor mats/$135) and a $995 destination charge, it had an as-tested price of $28,015.

There’s only one engine and trans-mission offered for Eclipse Cross. A 1.5L four-cylinder motor is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmis-sion. The turbocharged motor makes 152 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s enough power on tap for all normal driving situations. But the trip from 0-60 takes a little under nine seconds, so my standard, small engine warning is in effect — passing takes planning.

Although it’s a CVT, the transmission’s design in-cludes eight “virtual” gears. The electronic steps in the programming spare you the drone of typical of many CVTs. Compact Crossovers, being compact, are rarely called on for towing. However, the Eclipse Cross can

pull up to a maximum of 1,500 lb., when equipped with the Towing Package (hitch, wiring harness, $495).

Fuel economy is estimated at 26/29/27 (city/high-way/combined) in the front-wheel-drive ES. All AWD equipped models are rated at 25/26/25. I logged 23 mpg’s in a week behind the wheel. My early summer road test was (thankfully) snowless, but certainly not rainless. Working in conjunction with the onboard sta-bility control, yaw control and antilock brake systems, Mitsubishi’s on-demand AWD system enhances trac-tion on wet or dry roads. Up to 45 percent of available torque can be channeled to the rear axle as needed to maintain traction.

Selectable driving modes (Auto, Snow Gravel) ap-ply condition-specific logic to adjust the AWD system and enhance vehicle grip. The suspension is tuned for comfort, and it delivers a good ride, though body roll is evident when cornering. The power steering boost makes low-speed maneuvering /parking easy, but feels a little too light at highway speed.

The interior presents well, looking up to date as it should, one year removed from introduction. HVAC controls are located in a bank of buttons and dials mid-

way up the center stack. Above is a 7-inch touchscreen which (on LE levels and up) which can also be adjusted via console mounted touchpad. Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of touchpads in cars, because the majority of them are too touchy. Like a conversation with a defen-sive person, interacting is a chore, because every action is met with an overreaction. I still favor conventional controls over touchpads (and touchscreens) in cars, because they’re more efficient and less distracting. That said, the Eclipse touchpad is better than most, because

it’s not as twitchy. An onboard navigation system is not available on any

trim level. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on all but base, ES models, so you can bring your own nav via smartphone app. USB ports are in short supply (one on base models, two above). The six-speaker sound system standard on SE is pretty good, though not in the class of the 710-watt Rockford Fosgate setup (available in the Touring pack-age, reserved for SEL). Similarly, a bird’s-eye view cam-

era system and a head-up display are standard (and only offered) on SEL, and many driver assistance technolo-gies are optional solely on SEL (lane departure warning, forward collision alert and adaptive cruise control are offered as part of the Touring package). Safety staples like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are standard on SE and SEL and unavailable elsewhere.

Seating is comfortable up front, but I wouldn’t have said no to another inch of leg room. Rear seats have adjustable travel, and six-footers in back can fit behind like size front passengers. Second row seatbacks fold to a slightly uphill, split level load floor — less than ideal for long item storage. Cargo capacity ranges from 22.6 - 48.9 cubic feet, with a low lift over height for loading in back. The split rear window and wide c-pillars make for ¾ rear blind spots, so the blind spot monitoring mentioned above is necessary. Straight back visibility is improved by the crossover’s split backlight design.

My tester was an SE, and that’s the trim I’d sug-gest for shoppers considering the Eclipse Cross. While you don’t have access to some desirable items (like the surround-view camera, the top line sound system and some driver assistance features), you do have an AWD crossover with the core safety and infotainment features that many buyers are looking for at a competitive price.

A regular contributor to the Times Union for more than 25 years, Dan Lyons is the award-winning author of six books, and photographer of 180 calendars.

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TEST DRIVE this vehicle at these preferred dealerships:

GOLDSTEIN MITSUBISHI, 1673 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205 518-690-2500 www.goldsteinmitsubishi.com

TONY MANGINO MITSUBISHI, 1658 Rt 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-373-4100 www.mitsubishicliftonpark.com

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SE 1.5T AWDMSRP: $26,695 · As Tested: $28,015

THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS sits above the Outlander Sport and below the Outlander in Mitsubishi’s lineup of crossovers. It’s available in front-wheel-drive and AWD, with a turbocharged 1.5L as the sole engine choice.

While lacking some items, the Cross in SE trim offers AWD and core safety and infotainment features at a competitive price.

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