If you’re in need of a mid-size SUV with some serious strengths, be sure not to overlook the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
For families in need of a reliable, robust, good-looking sports utility vehicle, the default setting for many might be to plump for the popular Nissan Qashqai or the Skoda Karoq.
But having just picked up a prestigious industry award, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should be in your reckoning, too.
This week the Eclipse Cross came out on top in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey as the most reliable family SUV in the UK. It scored a perfect 100% rating from the survey, against an overall class rating of 93.6% in the family SUV sector.
Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, said:
"Mitsubishi may be better known for its larger off-roaders, but the Eclipse Cross is well worth considering if you're after a dependable family-sized SUV. Owners told us not one of their cars aged up to five years old went wrong."
Meanwhile Toby Marshall, Director of Aftersales, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK said:
“We have always been proud of our strong reputation for reliability and to have the Eclipse Cross and the brand recognised in this way is very pleasing. Our New Car Warranty also demonstrates our confidence that every component has been designed, manufactured, and assembled to ensure maximum reliability.”
So what’s the attraction of an Eclipse Cross lease, and what are you getting compared with the competition?
First things first, the Eclipse Cross - first introduced back in 2017 and which enjoyed a facelift late last year - looks the part, complete with coupe-style sloping roofline and distinctive rear styling.
There’s a no-nonsense approach to the powertrain; all models get a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 163 PS and giving it a respectable 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds.
Fuel economy wise, you can expect up to 40 miles to the gallon, depending on which model you opt for.
Speaking of which, there are four different trim levels up for grabs - entry-level Verve, followed by Design SE, Dynamic, and the top rung Exceed. Not all versions get the full Mitsubishi four-wheel-drive treatment - you’ll need to step up to Dynamic or Exceed trim to get 4x4 as an option.
And you can expect 4x4 variants to really be able to handle the tough stuff, such is the Mitsubishi way.
A spokesperson tells us of the firm's 'S-AWC' 4x4 system: “S-AWC gathers information on steering, brakes, driveline and yaw, then controls the 4x4 system and the brakes across the axles to direct torque to the wheel with most grip and optimise it for the terrain.
“The result is a vehicle which doesn’t just look the part. It is a vehicle which really does offer increased straight line stability, enhanced cornering and increased traction and control, even when the going gets a little tough.
“And even two-wheel-drive Eclipse Cross models achieve enhanced levels of stability and cornering performance courtesy of Active Yaw Control, since AYC controls the front braking forces to help the driver maintain the intended driving line through corners.”
The Eclipse Cross is also really well-specced, right out of the box.
Base Verve models come with full phone connectivity, privacy glass, one of the most spacious cabins in the class, as well as sophisticated tech such as Mitsubishi’s Forward Collision Mitigation system, Hill Start Assist, Lane Departure Warning, a reversing camera, DAB radio with speakers, and a touch pad controller.
Full fat Exceed models, meanwhile, are loaded with Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist, an uprated stereo system, and a powered panoramic sunroof.
Check back through our manufacturer search to find Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross lease deals from around £243 per month.
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