Walking up to the little Mitsubishi it certainly looks like a quirky little thing – styling is a bit of a Marmite issue. At the start of the week, I couldn’t warm to it but I have now decided it is a nice change from the norm that is out there at the minute. The split rear window is the standout piece of styling and from all other angles the Mitsubishi is far from ground-breaking but still a very attractive car.

On the road

Sitting into the Eclipse Cross the first thing that strikes you are the impressive leather-covered, figure-hugging seats and the sporty steering wheel. These are standard on the Instyle specification. This is the top level with the entry level Invite and middle Intense also available.

Even on the lower specifications, Mitsubishi has not scrimped on the technology. The Invite has smartphone link audio display supporting Apple carplay and Android auto, touchpad controller, reversing camera, bluetooth and USB connectivity and rear-seat passengers benefit from sliding rear seats (200mm) with an eight-step recline. Safety features including the forward collision mitigation system, lane departure warning system, LED daytime running lights and seven airbags are included across the range.

In the test car extras such as heated leather seat and a premium Rockford Fosgate speaker system make it a salubrious place to be. Once on the move the 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-charged petrol engine produces a healthy 163bhp. This, linked to a six-speed manual box, makes it a very drivable car. On the twisty stuff, the Eclipse is competent if not inspiring. The steering has a good feel but lacks in precision. The chassis does a good job of being capable on a back road without too much body roll.

Out on the motorway, the Eclipse is a capable performer with its near silent petrol engine and easy-to-operate cruise control system. The Mitsubishi is very composed on the road, one of the more comfortable in this class. Space in the back is good with lots of room, even with the driver’s seat in my own driving position. Full Isofix is available in the two usual areas of the back seat and a bulky rotating toddler seat fits and functions perfectly. The boot is sizeable and can take any of the stuff required to go travelling with a pair of under-fours.

Verdict

The latest arrival to the SUV market is a very good car with build quality impressive. This is no surprise as Mitsubishi has always built good interiors right back to the first of the soon-to-be gone Pajeros. The pricing of the Eclipse puts it firmly in the middle of the sector with some serious technology available for non-premium money. Having done a serious week’s driving in the Japanese machine, the only issue I can have with it is that it will cost €390 a year to tax. It is expected that a diesel-powered version will arrive on these shores later in the year and this will bring better fuel economy and a lower tax bill. I think that the tested petrol engine is very good and the tax bill be more than balanced by the lower purchase cost unless massive kilometres are being covered on an annual basis.