​
Deciding on a small SUV is more than a matter of taste. You want style, smart features, solid performance, and value. Read as we put two strong contenders head–to–head: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs. the Honda HR-V.
Introduction to the Stylish Showdown
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Honda HR-V offer appealing looks, decent technology, and practical features that attract many. Both compact SUVs have loyal fans, but let's compare specs, features, driving feel, safety, and ownership perks to see what separates them. We'll highlight why the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross pulls ahead of the Honda HR-V in several vital areas, making it the ideal vehicle for driving in Boardman, Ohio.
Key Features and Specifications
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a sporty-looking small SUV with sleek, modern styling. It features a peppy 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that provides 152 horsepower, delivering strong acceleration for daily city driving or highway trips. One standard feature of the Eclipse Cross is Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). This standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) feature provides excellent handling, making drives safer and more stable even on rainy or snow-covered roads.
Inside, the Eclipse Cross makes good use of space. You get an impressive 50.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, providing plenty of room for weekend trips and bulky shopping items.
The Honda HR-V offers a slightly larger 2.0-liter engine with 158 horsepower, which looks good on paper, but without turbocharging, it has less meaningful real-world impact. The HR-V doesn't include standard AWD, offering it exclusively as an upgrade that costs extra. It has a decent cargo capacity of 24.4 cubic feet behind the back seat.
Regarding technology, the Eclipse Cross and the HR-V offer features such as smartphone connectivity through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, Mitsubishi provides the optional My Mitsubishi Connect app, giving you seamless control over functions such as remote start, vehicle location tracking, and smart home integration with Amazon Alexa. That's a convenient edge the Honda HR-V doesn't quite match.
Safety and Reliability
Safety always counts in small SUV comparisons. The Eclipse Cross offers impressive standard safety features, including forward collision mitigation that automatically brakes when necessary, lane departure warning that alerts you if you drift out of your lane, and seven airbags. You can also choose advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and a helpful multiview camera system.
The HR-V's Honda Sensing has similar standard features, including collision mitigation and lane departure systems. While both crossovers perform well in a basic car comparison tool, Mitsubishi edges ahead with richer active-safety technology options available at lower price points.
World Safety Performance
When comparing car brands worldwide, Mitsubishi has earned widespread admiration for reliable engineering and carefully designed vehicle structures. This reputation continues with the Eclipse Cross' Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution structure, which absorbs energy and provides excellent protection in crash scenarios, resulting in consistently solid safety scores.
Honda employs the highly respected Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. However, Mitsubishi's reputation for deeper attention to active safety control systems helps it stand slightly taller worldwide in this car specs comparison tool evaluation.
Driving Experience and Handling
How does the Eclipse Cross feel behind the wheel compared to the HR-V? Mitsubishi confidently leads here due to standard S-AWC. Driving enthusiasts and cautious drivers alike will appreciate how it sends torque to the wheels individually for controlled handling. Three driving modes — Auto, Snow, and Gravel — help tackle varied conditions confidently without sacrificing comfort.
Honda's HR-V delivers easygoing everyday driving with a smooth ride that's more like a sedan. But without standard AWD or varied terrain modes, you're missing out on the extra handling security the Eclipse Cross offers in Ohio's unpredictable weather or slippery roads.
Pricing, Value, and Ownership Costs
Both compact SUVs are competitively affordable. With a starting MSRP of $26,545, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offers appealing features right from the base trim. The Honda HR-V starts slightly lower at about $25,400 but misses important standard features, particularly regarding AWD capability and high-level convenience technology.
At Boardman Mitsubishi, we simplify financing to keep the buying process hassle-free. Our finance department offers approachable options for loans or leases based on your budget. We also streamline trade-in evaluations. Use our straightforward value your trade tool to see how much your current car reduces your initial costs.
Specific Features
Certain features stand out when you use a car price comparison tool. Mitsubishi loads the Eclipse Cross with highly valuable equipment, such as standard S-AWC, generous cargo room, and exceptional driver-assist safety technology. Warranty coverage also sets it ahead, with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a generous five-year unlimited-mile roadside assistance program.
Honda doesn't match these long warranties or roadside assistance coverage. Choosing the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gives you greater confidence against future unexpected expenses.
Long-Term Ownership Considerations
You'll appreciate Mitsubishi's commitment to keeping the cost of ownership lower. Mitsubishi Motors Confidence includes two years or 30,000 miles of maintenance, which covers three oil changes, three tire rotations, and one cabin air filter replacement. Honda can't compete directly here, adding costs for routine maintenance early in your ownership.
While Honda enjoys strong name recognition and admirable fuel economy, Mitsubishi outpaces easily in crucial areas such as free initial-service coverage, longer warranties, and better standard features, such as cutting-edge AWD capabilities and technological options. Overall, Mitsubishi helps relieve the stress of owning a vehicle by providing more predictable maintenance and reduced incidental costs, which Honda falls short of delivering for HR-V owners.
Which Compact SUV Should You Choose?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the stronger overall choice. Its competitive base price, significantly better standard equipment, advanced active safety features, spacious cargo room, and generous maintenance plans place it ahead of the Honda HR-V in all-around value.
We confidently recommend the Eclipse Cross as the winner in reliable performance, practical features, affordability, and overall stylish appeal. Visit Boardman Mitsubishi today to see our available Eclipse Cross inventory firsthand and discover why Mitsubishi is the right choice for your family and lifestyle.