2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross pricing and features

The updated Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross small crossover SUV has arrived with a bolder exterior, new interior redesign, improved handling and an incoming plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.

Priced from $30,290, the petrol-engined 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Crosses have begun rolling into Aussie showrooms ahead of the Eclipse Cross PHEV that's due next year.

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The Eclipse Cross' mid-life redesign helps separate it from its smaller, better-selling ASX stablemate, and it features sharper, more futuristic design language and a revised interior to compete with newer rivals such as the Volkswagen T-Roc and Mazda CX-30.

A new front fascia does away with the horizontal chrome bar of old, and there is a new mesh grille flanked by a pair of slick headlight clusters.

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More than just a ‘face’ lift, the rear end has also received a noticeable restyle. It now features a much more conventional single piece of tailgate glass and a normal top-mounted spoiler, while redesigned taillights now extend up to the roof.

It's a big improvement over the awkward styling of the first-generation Eclipse Cross.

Inside, Mitsubishi has matched upholstery colour to trim elements depending on specification, while a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sits closer to the driver.

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The boot space is a handy 405-litres, which expands up to 1146 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Importantly, Mitsubishi has dropped the previous touchpad control system and added physical volume and tuning knobs.

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The petrol Eclipse Cross versions carry-over 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (100kW/250Nm) from the previous model, which is mated to a continuously-variable transmission as standard and an all-wheel-drive layout.

As mentioned above, the Eclipse Cross will come with the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that's due later in 2021. That scores the twin-motor 2.4-litre 4WD powertrain from the Outlander PHEV, with a handful of changes to cope with the difference in size between the two cars (though Mitsubishi hasn't told us exactly what those changes are yet).

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The Outlander’ provides 157kW/332Nm and a 13.8kW battery that offers a potential all-electric driving range of 54km, but we'll need to wait until closer to the Eclipse Cross's launch.

The Eclipse Cross PHEV will mirror the Outlander PHEV’s ability to power a home through vehicle-to-home technology, too.

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Suspension tweaks including tweaked spring rates and larger-diameter rear shocks round out the mechanical changes to the 2021 Eclipse Cross.

Eclipse Cross features

The range starts with the Eclipse Cross ES 2WD which retails for $30,290 and comes standard with:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Bluetooth and voice control
• Digital radio (DAB+)
• 4-speaker sound system
• Reversing camera
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Paddle shifters
• Climate control air-conditioning
• LED daytime running lights
• Cruise control
• 7 airbags.

Stepping up to the Eclipse Cross LS 2WD brings:

• Smart keyless entry and start
• Lane departure warning
• LED front fog-lamps
• Rear parking sensors
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Dusk-sensing headlights
• Auto high beam
• Black roof rails
• Heated and power-folding door mirrors
• 6-speaker sound system
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
• Electronic parking brake

The Eclipse Cross LS AWD has all that plus all-wheel traction.

The new Eclipse Cross Aspire 2WD brings the features of the LS 2WD drive, plus:

• Microsuede/synthetic leather seat trim
• Power-operated driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Adaptive cruise control with 'stop & go' function
• Rear-cross traffic alert
• Blind-spot warning
• Lane change assist
• 360-degree parking monitor
• Front parking sensors
• Dual-zone air-conditioning
• 8-speaker premium sound system
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

The range-topping Eclipse Cross Exceed AWD adds:

• Leather seat trim
• Low-speed forward and reverse auto-braking for accidental accelerator inputs
• LED headlights
• Power-operated front passenger seat
• Tom Tom navigation
• Double-pane sunroof
• Head-up display
• Heated front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Black interior headlining.

Eclipse Cross retail pricing

• Eclipse Cross ES 2WD - $30,290
• Eclipse Cross LS 2WD - $32,590
• Eclipse Cross LS AWD - $35,090
• Eclipse Cross Aspire 2WD - $34,990
• Eclipse Cross Exceed 2WD - $38,290
• Eclipse Cross Exceed AWD - $40,790