MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS PHEV REVIEW AND BUYER'S GUIDE

EV Channels Review

John Cadogan reviews the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid EV, positioning it as a more substantial alternative to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. He highlights the Eclipse Cross's significantly larger battery (13.8 kWh vs. 1.6 kWh) and more powerful dual electric motors (130 kW total vs. 30 kW), making it a "part-time EV" capable of substantial electric-only driving for daily commutes (estimated 30-40 km range). Cadogan criticizes the "disgracefully disingenuous" marketing by Toyota Australia, which discourages plugging in, while praising the Eclipse Cross's ability to be recharged overnight for minimal cost. He notes the vehicle's unremarkable driving dynamics, attributing the "modal separation" (stiff in roll, floppy over bumps) to its combustion-derived platform. Criticisms extend to the dated infotainment graphics and the impracticality of the piano black interior trim. Ultimately, Cadogan concludes that while the $15,000 premium over the combustion model is hard to justify purely on fuel savings, the Eclipse Cross PHEV offers a compelling proposition for those seeking EV-like daily driving with the convenience of a combustion engine for longer trips, without the range anxiety of a full EV.