The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4WD will almost certainly be the final car designed, engineered, and assembled in-house by Mitsubishi before the manufacturer is subsumed into the Renault-Nissan alliance. When that day comes, expect platforms and powertrains to be shared.

For now, we have a purely Mitsubishi model taking aim at the lucrative mid-sized-crossover segment. It’s priced just over a very attractive £21,000 and rises to just under £28,000, so cost is going to be a very strong advantage. So, is it worth buying?

Style

Mitsubishi styling has always gone its own way, and the Eclipse Cross is certainly no exception. Designers say the aim was to create a vehicle that appears to be carved from a single block of aluminium, and that design philosophy comes through. It’s a sharp model with a sleek profile and low roofline. It also boasts rear glass split in the manner of the Toyota Prius, so visibility is excellent.

As with any Mitsubishi, some will hate it and some will love it – this isn’t a manufacturer that shoots for the middle. That said, this is one of their more notable successes.

Interior

If there’s one central shortcoming of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, it’s boot space. The sloping design might look attractive on the outside, but it does mean you won’t have as much cargo room as some rivals provide. Front head and legroom is generous, and the rear bench can slide fore or aft up to 200mm, so the interior is at least quite versatile.

Technology

There’s plenty of modern technology within the cabin, including a 7-inch dash-mounted touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can even control it from a fancy touchpad. Even entry-level models come with rear-view camera, automatic high beams, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights, climate control, and privacy glass.

Further features include:

  • Heated Front Seats
  • Panoramic Roof
  • Parking Sensors
  • Keyless Entry
  • Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System

The only oddity is a lack of satellite navigation, although you can always hook up your phone to the touchscreen.

Performance

Available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel-Control setup, the Eclipse Cross offers a 1.5L petrol engine with 160 bhp and peak torque between 1800 and 4500rpm. It’s not particularly spirited, but it never seems underpowered. Efficiency scores aren’t particularly impressive – expect up to a claimed 40.4 mpg.