For people of a certain age - say anyone over 40 - the Mitsubishi Eclipse name stirs fond memories of an iconic two-door coupe which emerged in the 1990s and lived on until 2012.
With their distinctive power-bulge hoods and available turbocharged engines, the Mitsubishi Eclipse-Eagle Talon-Plymouth Laser triplets were ubiquitous on Chattanooga streets 20 years ago. (Full disclosure: In a previous lifetime I owned both Talon and Laser, and they are both among my favorite cars.)
The interior of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a tasteful two-tone color scheme. FAST FACTS
* Model: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SE AWC* Exterior color: Mercury Gray* Interior color: Black and white* Engine: 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo* Horsepower: 184* Transmission: CVT* Fuel economy: 26 mpg highway, 25 mpg city* Local Dealer: Edd Kirby's Adventure Mitsubishi, W. M.L. King Boulevard* Price (as tested): $27,715
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The Eclipse name is so associated with the coupe profile that it takes some mental gymnastics to re-imagine it as a small SUV, but that's what Mitsubishi would like us to do. By adding "cross" to the name we are to remember it's a cross-over vehicle.
As Mitsubishi has become virtually exclusively an SUV brand, the Eclipse slots nicely under the bread-and-butter Mitsubishi Outlander and above the sub-compact Outlander Sport. In our view, it's a nicer, more-modern product than its Outlander brethren with sharper styling and more up-to-the-minute electronic features.
Locally, Edd Kirby's Adventure Mitsubishi on West M.L. King Boulevard had 14 Eclipse Cross SUVS in digital inventory this week.
WHAT IS IT? A new-for-2018, five-passenger compact SUV with a 1.5-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine making 184 horsepower. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission, and fortified by an all-wheel-drive system that has separate settings for "snow" and "gravel."
STYLING: The Eclipse Cross features sharp, sculpted body lines and the brand's trademark "dynamic shield" grille. The rear design is a bit busy and includes a split, rear window that takes some getting used to. The interior is an upgrade from existing Outlander models. Our SE trim tester features attractive cloth seats and some faux, carbon-fiber trim pieces. A computer-like track pad on the center console controls some of the infotainment functions including the Mitsubishi Connect suite of emergency and smartphone functions.
WHAT WE LIKE: The quiet cockpit; clear, easy-to-read gauges; optional seat heaters; electric parking brake and fuel-saving economy mode.
ITS GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGA BECAUSE: While four-wheel-drive is not mandatory in our region, it sure does help get your SUV moving up an occasional snowy road if you live at altitude.
WORTH AN UPGRADE: Our SE trim tester provided by Mitsubishi came with no moon-roof, no rear-seat AC vents nor power seats.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: We also found the hatch and tail-light designs a bit over-cooked for our tastes.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: A base, ES-trim model starts at $24,290. Our mid-trim tester has an MSRP of $27,715.
WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING: Also check out the Chevy Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.
BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for compact SUV with modern styling and a long (100,000 mile) power-train warranty, the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a solid choice.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.