Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross improved but needs one big change

Before we get to the updated Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, a quick observation. Scientists and engineers often maintain that nothing in the known universe is indestructible. They are, of course, wrong.

Many things can simply not be broken. For instance, those little sachets of shampoo that you encounter in a hotel shower. Once you are wet and covered in soap, there is no force known to mankind that can rupture them. Indestructible.

Secondly, e-tolls. They do not work, lose many millions every month, and are called a catastrophic failure by the very people who put them in place. But, do they remove them, break down the towers or put them to some practical road safety use? Never – they get Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula to “apply his mind” to the problem.

Considering how long it takes him to apply his mind to anything, that renders e-tolls indestructible.

Free-breathing petrol engine

There are other, more pleasant examples. High on our list are normally aspirated petrol engines. Lightly stressed, low-revving and often over-engineered for their chosen task, they are, generally speaking, indestructible.

Which brings us to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 GLS, that recently spent a week with this writer as a house guest. It is powered by a four-cylinder, 1 998 cc, 16-valve petrol engine, that delivers 110 kW of power at 6 000 rpm and 198 Nm of torque at 4 200 rpm. That makes the two-litre powerplant pretty lightly stressed.

Before digging further into the vehicle’s technology, we need to address its looks. Normally, with appearance being a subjective matter, we do not venture opinions about test vehicles’ looks.

ALSO READ: Sleeker facelift Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross priced

But it has to be said – we like Mitsubishi’s current sleek, wedgy, futuristic and sporty exterior styling, right down to the test vehicle’s 18-inch alloy spoked wheels in 225/55 R18 rubber.

Inside, the Eclipse Cross boasts anything and everything that can click, bang, connect, inform, guide, alert, cosset, play, cool, heat or entertain.

Features galore

These features include a multi-function steering wheel, automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity with hands-free voice control, electric seat adjustment, cruise control, a USB port, central locking, electric windows and hands-free entry.

There is also a smartphone-linked display audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an on-board computer with vehicle health indicators, fuel consumption data, trip information and a premium Mitsubishi sound system.

Active safety items include ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, yaw control, traction control, a rear view camera and rain sensor windscreen wipers. Should you still crash, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will look after your welfare via a reinforced impact safety body construction, side-impact protection bars and seven airbags.

Add to the above a full-sized spare wheel, luggage compartment capacity of 437-litres, that can be increased to a whopping 1 074-litres with the rear seats folded flat and one would think the new Eclipse Cross comes close to motoring perfection.

Transmission woes

Being pretty, comfortable, safe and probably close to indestructible, what is not to like? The transmission, that is what. This Eclipse Cross’ grunt and twist go to the front wheels via a six-step CVT transmission, that is supposed to put the vehicle in the correct gear at all times. Maybe it does, but it went about its task in a jerky, indecisive way, with the system’s brain changing its mind on a whim.

Coasting on the highway at just over 120 km/h, the system would gear back on the slightest of uphills, only to go back to sixth speed 100 metres later. This could be alleviated by using the steering wheel mounted paddle shifts, but this writer has never been a whizz with those, resulting in another jerky drive.

In general, the Eclipse Cross felt heavy and cumbersome under acceleration. Give this vehicle a six-speed manual gearbox, and we would urge you to buy it.

Mitsubishi say the vehicle will go from standstill to 100 km/h in just over 12 seconds with a top speed of 188 km/h. That does not make it sprightly, for a two-litre car.

Conclusion

On the plus side, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross was easy to park, with a turning circle of 10.6 metres and the rearview camera doing sterling duty.

We managed an overall fuel consumption figure of 8.9L/100 km during the test, but we did not try to save fuel, and a lighter right foot would probably render a much lower figure.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 GLS will set you back R459 995, which includes a three year/100 000 km warranty and a five year service plan.