Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs. Outlander Sport

If you’ve browsed our new Florida Mitsubishi listings, you’ve undoubtedly seen the Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport. At first glance, they might seem rather similar, as both are unibody crossovers with cool designs. Customers who visit Performance Mitsubishi in Delray Beach, FL, searching for a crossover should have all the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. Before you schedule a test drive, take a look through this comparison of the latest Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport.

Trim Levels

The 2023 Eclipse Cross continues to look cooler than competitors by other brands after a styling refresh last year with more smooth, sculpted lines. The seven trim levels are the ES, LE, SE, SE, SE Package, SEL, SEL Touring, and Ralliart. While the remainder of the range has 18-inch alloy wheels, the starting ES trim has 16-inch wheels. The SE and SEL versions offer black roof rails and a panoramic sunroof. It features 8.5 inches of ground clearance and is 66.5 inches tall, 179 inches long, and 71.1 inches wide.

The 2023 Outlander Sport’s trim levels are 2.0S, 2.0ES, 2.0LE, 2.0SE, and 2.4 GT, plus a limited-edition Ralliart model. There are numerous lines, angles, and chrome accents in the newest Mitsubishi’s front end. The side profile, resembling a running shoe, adds some interest, matching the stylish taillights and rear fascia, as well as available LED bulbs for the low beams, high beams, taillights, and fog lights. It offers the same ground clearance as the Eclipse Cross at 8.5 inches and is almost as wide and tall but just a little shorter in length at 171.9 inches.

Interior

The Eclipse Cross’s front seats are comfortable, and drivers should have no trouble getting used to the overall layout of the dashboard. With the optional power panoramic sunroof, you can take in the surroundings wherever you go and make your travels more exciting. Comparing front and rear seats, headroom is 39.5/37.3 inches, hip room is 53/52, legroom is 40.9/37.1, and shoulder room is 56.2/55.1 inches. Passenger volume is 96.7 cubic feet, and cargo volume is 23.4 cubic feet with all the seats up.

For 2023, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is stuffed with luxury, such as a standard four-way power driver seat and rich leather upholstery. Comparing the Outlander Sport’s front and rear rows, headroom is 39.4/37.9 inches, hip room is 52.1/51.6, legroom is 41.6/36.3, and shoulder room is 56.2/55.5 inches. Passenger cargo capacity is 97.5 cubic feet, and you get 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats.

Engine

The 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder motor in each 2023 Eclipse Cross SUV produces 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s respectable for the class, and the torque-heavy ratio can be beneficial in urban environments with lots of stop-and-go traffic. An automatic transmission distributes power to all four axles.

A 2L four-cylinder motor with 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque powers most 2023 Outlander Sport SUV models. The 2.4 GT is an exception, featuring a 2.4L four-cylinder motor that produces 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. The Outlander Sport has Mitsubishi’s all-wheel control as standard equipment across all trim levels, also with an automatic shifter. Overall, the Outlander Sport has its advantages if you want multiple engine options and the best specs.

Performance and Efficiency

The Mitsubishi S-AWC on the Eclipse Cross seamlessly controls movements during acceleration, turning, and braking, improving handling and stability. Its performance is more enjoyable and safer in slippery conditions, off-road, and in snow, as well as when making sudden maneuvers on the highway. The city, highway, and combined fuel efficiency ratings for the Eclipse Cross are 25/26/28 mpg, respectively.

In addition, the turbocharged engine’s highest thrust is produced at a relatively low 2,000 rpm. The MIVEC engine produces effective and remarkable power, and S-AWC offers excellent traction and braking. Fuel efficiency for the 2023 Outlander Sport is 23/26/29 city/highway/combined mpg. In summary, both vehicles are highly efficient, but the Eclipse Cross has a slight edge in city-driving fuel economy.

Technology

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport S and ES models come with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system as standard. The other trims have an 8-inch tablet with SiriusXM satellite radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The same goes for the 2023 Eclipse Cross, more or less, as the ES trim gets a 7-inch display. A larger 8-inch screen is available on LE, SE, and SEL versions. Only the 8-inch monitor comes with in-dash navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, all versions come with HD Radio and Bluetooth Wireless Technology.

Safety Features

Both the 2023 Outlander Sport and the 2023 Eclipse Cross offer various automatic safety features and tools to guide the driver. Standard for 2023, you can count on both SUVs to have active stability control, advanced dual-stage front airbags, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist. You can also expect a driver knee airbag, side-curtain rollover airbags, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, front seat-mounted side airbags, hill start assist, lane departure warning, and tire pressure monitoring system.

While Mitsubishi never skimps on standard safety equipment for their vehicles, a few notable differences could be very valuable to the right driver. Blind-spot warning with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert are only standard on SE and GT trims of the 2023 Outlander Sport. As for the Eclipse Cross, these features are both standard on SE and SEL trims. The electronic parking brake with auto hold is only standard on SE and SEL trims of the Eclipse Cross. Finally, automatic high-beam headlights are standard on the Eclipse Cross for all trims above the ES.

Try the Eclipse Cross or Outlander Sport

After comparing these two vehicles, we think both versions are beautifully crafted, with a ton of connectivity and safety features. If you want the strongest engine or just value having two engine choices rather than one, the Outlander Sport might be the right choice, while the Eclipse Cross has better access to some features, depending on the trim. If you’d like to schedule a test drive in the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross or 2023 Outlander Sport, give us a call or stop by our Delray Beach, Florida, location to speak with our sales team.

Image by Richard Biros is licensed with Unsplash License