What To Know
- While the C-HR’s interior is more visually striking, the Eclipse Cross provides a more practical and comfortable experience, especially for passengers.
- While the C-HR focuses on fuel efficiency, the Eclipse Cross delivers a more engaging driving experience thanks to its turbocharged engine and optional automatic transmission.
- Both the C-HR and the Eclipse Cross prioritize safety and technology, offering a suite of advanced features to enhance your driving experience.
Choosing the right compact crossover can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders vying for your attention are the Toyota C-HR and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Both vehicles offer a blend of style, practicality, and efficiency, but which one emerges as the ultimate champion? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each vehicle, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Style: A Tale of Two Aesthetics
The Toyota C-HR and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross adopt distinct design philosophies, appealing to different tastes. The C-HR boasts a bold, futuristic aesthetic, characterized by sharp lines, a sloping roofline, and a distinctive front grille. Its angular design language is sure to turn heads, making a statement on the road.
The Eclipse Cross, on the other hand, embraces a more conventional yet still stylish approach. Its sleek, coupe-like silhouette and sporty details, including the signature “shark fin” rear window, give it a sophisticated and athletic appearance.
Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference. If you crave a head-turning, avant-garde design, the C-HR is your pick. But if you prefer a more refined and understated aesthetic, the Eclipse Cross might be more appealing.
Interior Comfort and Features: A Battle of Amenities
Stepping inside the C-HR, you’ll find a driver-centric cockpit with a sporty, futuristic design. The dashboard is dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system, while the driver’s seat offers good support and visibility. However, some may find the rear seats to be cramped, especially for taller passengers.
The Eclipse Cross offers a more spacious and comfortable interior. Its cabin is well-appointed, with soft-touch materials and a generous amount of legroom for both front and rear passengers. The infotainment system is user-friendly and comes equipped with a range of features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
While the C-HR’s interior is more visually striking, the Eclipse Cross provides a more practical and comfortable experience, especially for passengers.
Performance and Handling: A Duel of Drivetrains
Both vehicles offer a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The C-HR comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 144 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a CVT transmission, which provides smooth acceleration but can feel somewhat uninspiring in terms of responsiveness.
The Eclipse Cross offers a more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine is available with a CVT or a more engaging eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provides more punch and responsiveness than the C-HR’s naturally aspirated unit, making it a more enjoyable driving experience.
While the C-HR focuses on fuel efficiency, the Eclipse Cross delivers a more engaging driving experience thanks to its turbocharged engine and optional automatic transmission.
Safety and Technology: A Focus on Protection and Connectivity
Both the C-HR and the Eclipse Cross prioritize safety and technology, offering a suite of advanced features to enhance your driving experience. The C-HR comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.
The Eclipse Cross offers Mitsubishi‘s own suite of safety features, including forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. It also features a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Both vehicles offer comprehensive safety features, but the C-HR’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite provides a more comprehensive and advanced set of driver-assistance technologies.
Fuel Efficiency: A Race to the Pump
When it comes to fuel economy, the C-HR emerges as the winner. Its efficient 2.0-liter engine and CVT transmission deliver an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
The Eclipse Cross, with its more powerful turbocharged engine, falls slightly behind with an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
While the Eclipse Cross offers slightly more power, the C-HR’s fuel efficiency makes it a more economical choice for daily driving.
The Verdict: Finding the Right Fit for Your Needs
Ultimately, choosing between the Toyota C-HR and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross depends on your individual priorities.
If you prioritize:
- Fuel efficiency and a stylish, futuristic design: The Toyota C-HR is the better choice.
- Interior space, a more powerful engine, and a refined driving experience: The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross might be more appealing.
- A comprehensive suite of advanced safety features: The Toyota C-HR’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite offers more advanced technologies.
The Final Word: More Than Just a Crossover Comparison
This comparison has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both the Toyota C-HR and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. While both vehicles offer a compelling blend of style, practicality, and technology, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Beyond the technical specifications, consider taking both vehicles for a test drive to experience their handling, comfort, and overall feel. This hands-on experience will help you make an informed decision and find the compact crossover that truly resonates with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which vehicle is more reliable?
Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are known for their reliability, but Toyota generally ranks higher in reliability surveys.
Q2: What is the starting price for each vehicle?
The starting price for the Toyota C-HR is around $23,000, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross starts at around $24,000.
Q3: Which vehicle offers more cargo space?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offers slightly more cargo space than the Toyota C-HR, particularly with the rear seats folded down.
Q4: Which vehicle is better for off-roading?
Neither vehicle is specifically designed for off-roading. For off-road capabilities, you would need to consider a different vehicle type, such as a SUV with all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance.
Q5: What are the warranty options for each vehicle?
Both vehicles offer competitive warranty options. Toyota offers a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Mitsubishi offers a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
