The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact crossover SUV that bridges the gap between the smaller RVR and the larger Outlander, offering a coupe-inspired design, a turbocharged engine, and Mitsubishi's signature Super All-Wheel Control system. Positioned as a style-forward option in a crowded market segment, it delivers modern interior technology alongside distinct exterior styling.
Introduction to the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
When Mitsubishi introduced the Eclipse Cross for the 2018 model year, the company sought to revive a storied nameplate—historically associated with the sporty Eclipse coupe—and apply it to a modern compact sport utility vehicle. The result was a vehicle designed to appeal to buyers looking for distinctive styling, contemporary infotainment features, and all-weather capability without stepping up to a midsize platform.
Positioned strategically within the brand's lineup, the Eclipse Cross entered a highly competitive market populated by established names like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5. Rather than attempting to out-room or out-utility its rivals, Mitsubishi focused on expressive design, a driver-focused cockpit, and dynamic handling capabilities. For prospective buyers, understanding what the 2018 model offers requires looking closely at its powertrain engineering, interior packaging, trim hierarchy, and real-world performance characteristics.
Exterior Design and Styling Philosophy
The defining characteristic of the 2018 Eclipse Cross is its bold exterior styling, which breaks away from the conventional, boxy SUV mold. The vehicle features a coupe-like roofline, a steeply raked rear window, and a high beltline that gives it an aggressive, forward-leaning stance.
At the front, the Eclipse Cross showcases Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" design language. This aesthetic incorporates prominent chrome accents that sweep inward from the headlights to frame the lower bumper, creating a unified face shared across several modern Mitsubishi models. The rear design is particularly polarizing, characterized by a split-window tailgate where a horizontal light bar divides the upper and lower glass panes. While this layout affects rearward visibility to some degree, it gives the vehicle a futuristic and unmistakable signature on the road.
Wheel sizes range from 16-inch alloy wheels on base models to 18-inch alloy wheels on higher trim levels. Higher trims also add LED headlights, fog lamps, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the vehicle's premium curb appeal.
Powertrain, Performance, and Drivetrain Engineering
Under the hood, every 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is powered by a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder engine.
- Horsepower: 152 hp at 5,500 rpm
- Torque: 184 lb-ft at 2,000–3,500 rpm
- Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with an 8-step sport mode
This engine is engineered to deliver low-end torque quickly, making city driving and passing maneuvers responsive. The Continuously Variable Transmission features simulated gear steps that mimic a traditional automatic transmission under heavy acceleration, reducing the persistent drone often associated with older CVT designs.
Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC)
One of the standout mechanical features of the Eclipse Cross is Mitsubishi's proprietary Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, available on select trims alongside standard front-wheel drive (FWD). S-AWC is an advanced full-time all-wheel-drive system derived from Mitsubishi's rally heritage. It integrates:
- Active Yaw Control (AYC): Manages braking force on the left and right wheels to improve cornering agility and stability.
- Electronically Controlled 4WD: Continuously distributes torque between the front and rear axles based on road conditions.
- Driver-Selectable Modes: Includes Auto, Snow, and Gravel settings to optimize traction across varying surfaces.
Interior Packaging, Comfort, and Cargo Versatility
Inside, the 2018 Eclipse Cross presents a driver-centric cockpit finished with clean lines and soft-touch materials on key touchpoints. The dashboard layout places the infotainment display high on the center stack, bringing it into the driver's natural line of sight.
Seating comfort is generally praised for front occupants, offering supportive cushioning and adequate adjustment range. Rear-seat passengers benefit from a sliding and reclining bench seat, allowing owners to balance rear legroom against cargo capacity. When slid all the way back, rear legroom is generous for a compact crossover.
| Feature / Metric | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Up) | 22.6 cubic feet |
| Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Folded) | 48.8 cubic feet |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 pounds (when properly equipped) |
| Fuel Economy (FWD) | 26 mpg city / 29 mpg highway |
| Fuel Economy (AWD) | 25 mpg city / 26 mpg highway |
The split-window rear design does eat into total vertical cargo space compared to more squared-off competitors, but the 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow for flexible loading of longer items.
Trim Level Hierarchy and Equipment
Mitsubishi structured the 2018 Eclipse Cross lineup into four primary trim levels: ES, LE, SE, and SEL. Each successive tier adds convenience, safety, and luxury amenities.
ES (Base Trim)
The entry-level ES model comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel control available as an option.
LE (Lifestyle Edition)
Building on the ES, the LE introduces 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a larger touchpad controller for the infotainment system, and upgraded audio connectivity.
SE (Mid-Level Trim)
The SE trim adds advanced safety technologies and comfort amenities, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
SEL (Top-Tier Trim)
The flagship SEL trim brings leather seating surfaces, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a multi-view camera system, LED headlights, and an available Touring Package. The Touring Package adds a premium Rockford Fosgate audio system, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a panoramic sunroof.
Safety Ratings and Driver-Assistance Technologies
Safety equipment on the 2018 Eclipse Cross varies significantly by trim level. While basic safety features—such as anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, and a comprehensive airbag suite—are standard across the board, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are reserved for higher trims or packaged as options.
In independent crash testing, the 2018 Eclipse Cross performed strongly:
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): Awarded the vehicle its highest designation of Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Awarded the vehicle an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Available active safety technologies include:
- Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM): Detects vehicles or pedestrians ahead and applies emergency braking if a collision is imminent.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without an activated turn signal.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Maintains a set distance between the Eclipse Cross and traffic ahead in highway driving conditions.
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Lane Change Assist (LCA): Monitors blind spots and warns the driver of vehicles approaching in adjacent lanes.
Ownership Costs, Reliability, and Maintenance
Evaluating the 2018 Eclipse Cross from an ownership perspective involves analyzing fuel economy, warranty coverage, and common maintenance requirements.
Fuel Economy
With the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and CVT, fuel economy is competitive within the compact crossover class, though not class-leading. Front-wheel-drive models achieve an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Opting for the S-AWC all-wheel-drive system drops those figures slightly to 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Warranty Coverage
One of Mitsubishi's primary selling points historically has been its warranty program. New vehicle purchases included a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Buyers purchasing a used 2018 model should verify whether the remaining portion of the powertrain warranty transfers to secondary owners, as Mitsubishi typically limits the transferred powertrain warranty to 5 years/60,000 miles from the original in-service date.
Common Maintenance Considerations
Owners and mechanics note a few specific maintenance items for this generation:
- Direct-Injection Carbon Buildup: Like many modern direct-injection turbocharged engines, intake valves can accumulate carbon over high mileage, necessitating periodic professional cleaning.
- CVT Fluid Changes: The Continuously Variable Transmission requires regular fluid changes (typically every 30,000 to 60,000 miles under severe conditions) to ensure long-term reliability.
- Touchpad Controller: Early software revisions for the infotainment touchpad experienced occasional unresponsiveness, which could usually be resolved via dealership software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine comes in the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is powered exclusively by a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder engine producing 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) featuring an 8-step sport mode.
Does the 2018 Eclipse Cross have all-wheel drive?
Yes, Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system is available as an option on all trim levels (ES, LE, SE, and SEL). Front-wheel drive is standard on base configurations, but S-AWC can be added for improved traction in snow, rain, and gravel conditions.
What are the main trim levels for the 2018 model year?
The 2018 lineup consists of four trim levels: the entry-level ES, the tech-focused LE, the comfort-and-safety-equipped SE, and the luxury-oriented SEL. Higher trims add features like leather seats, a head-up display, smartphone integration, and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
How safe is the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
The vehicle earned strong safety marks, achieving a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights. Advanced safety features like forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning are available on upper trims.
What is the towing capacity of the 2018 Eclipse Cross?
When properly equipped, the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. It is suitable for small utility trailers, lightweight pop-up campers, or recreational gear rather than heavy loads.
Conclusion and Buying Recommendation
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a distinctive alternative in the crowded compact SUV segment. Its strengths lie in its expressive coupe-inspired styling, responsive turbocharged low-end power, comprehensive safety scores, and the capable S-AWC all-wheel-drive system. While rear cargo capacity and rearward visibility are compromised slightly by the sloping tailgate design, the vehicle offers a comfortable ride and competitive feature sets in its higher trims. Prospective used car buyers should prioritize SE and SEL trims to secure essential smartphone integration and active safety technologies, while verifying service records and remaining warranty coverage.
