Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5T GLS CVT (2021) Review

Introduction

Right, so you want a mid-size crossover that still feels distinctly Japanese, stands out in a Rondebosch school queue, and won’t leave you weeping at trade-in time. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5T GLS CVT belongs on your shortlist - if you’re willing to accept that it isn’t the fastest in the segment, or the flashiest inside. That’s the truth of the matter with this Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross review South Africa. In 2024, Mitsubishi’s unassuming SUV holds its ground against heavyweight Koreans like the Sportage and Tucson, plus the relentless new Chinese options. “Overlooked” fits. More buyers should have it on their radar.

Key takeaway: The Eclipse Cross 1.5T GLS is a polished, well-screwed-together crossover with just enough style to avoid anonymity, aimed at suburbia rather than cross-country marathons - and its low-key image in SA showrooms might actually play to the buyer’s advantage.

Design & Exterior

A shape that polarises in the parking lot

The updated Eclipse Cross - facelifted globally in 2021, still first-gen (facelift) in SA - finally ditched that oddball split rear window. One big pane now, with rear lights stretching wider and Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” face up front: slimmer DRLs, full black grille. Parked next to a Tucson, the Mitsubishi looked - no contest - more interesting.

Details that earn their keep

• Standard 18-inch two-tone alloys on GLS, injecting a bit of attitude into the design.
• Front skid-plate accent and roof rails - they shout “SUV” without pretending you’ll take it up Sani Pass.
• That coupé-like roofline chops a little rear headroom, but the profile looks sharper for it.
• Five doors, elongated rear glass, and a tailgate that won’t attack you if you’re tall.

This is a car that does actually get noticed, mostly because the rest of the segment has blurred into one generic shape. Whether you fancy it is personal. Whether it’s forgettable - it isn’t.

Cabin & Practicality

Materials and ergonomics

Step inside, and the GLS Exceed-spec feels more upmarket than you expect at this price point. Soft-touch trim, padded door toppers, stitched leather steering wheel, and - thank you, Mitsubishi - good old-fashioned climate control dials. After a week of prodding at haptic sliders in newer rivals, I nearly hugged these tactile knobs. Infotainment? It’s the weak spot. The screen looks and feels a generation behind the Sportage or Tucson, which gets annoying after your third attempt at Apple CarPlay.

Space, boot and family duty

Here’s a win: the back seat both slides and reclines - a rare trick at this price. Boot space sits at 437 litres with the rear bench all the way back, and the 63-litre tank means a Johannesburg–Durban stint along the N3 won’t have you searching for a filling station every 300 km. There’s ISOFIX on the outer rear seats, but the sloping roof means tall teenagers may find their hair brushing the headliner.

On the Road

Around town and on the open road

This is where the Eclipse Cross does its best work. The 1.5L turbo-petrol (110 kW) drives a CVT with 8 simulated steps, and in everyday traffic, it’s smooth and hushed. On the N1, wind noise at 120 km/h is barely there. Those 18-inch wheels do make the ride tauter than a Tucson’s, but it never gets jarring. Over Joburg potholes, the suspension soaks up more than you’d expect - I braced for a thump, felt only a muted bump.

Where the CVT runs out of patience

Stack the cabin with four adults and luggage, then ask it to climb a long hill out of the Wilge River on the N3, and the CVT–1.5T pairing starts to groan. Engine revs hang, the note turns droney, and overtaking takes a bit of planning. This isn’t a drivetrain that encourages hard charging. But driven as most owners do - gently, predictably - it’s refined and untroubled. That matters for a suburban family car.

Steering and chassis

There’s no all-wheel drive on this local spec (no S-AWC for the 1.5T GLS in SA), so it’s front-drive only. The chassis is honest, not sporty - steering is light, direct enough for the school run, and never vague. Body control over fast, rolling bumps is a quiet highlight. Mitsubishi engineers deserve more credit here.

Data & Comparison

Specs at a glance

• Engine: 1.5L turbo-petrol, 110 kW
• Drive: FWD
• Gearbox: CVT (8-step)
• Doors: 5
• Generation: 1st gen (facelift), from 2021
• Boot: 437 litres
• Fuel tank: 63 litres

Real-world numbers worth knowing

As for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross fuel consumption, independent tests landed on 7.9 L/100km - not far off the 7.6 L/100km claim, and that’s rare honesty. My own mixed-use drive (two adults, boot full of camera gear) saw 8.3 L/100km. With the 63-litre tank, you’re looking at about 750 km between Engen stops. Factor in servicing, tyres and wear-and-tear, and the 5-year ownership cost sits at around R230,000 - competitive in this crowd.

Rivals on paper

Put Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs the T-Roc: VW nails infotainment and badge pride, Mitsubishi counters with space and value-for-money spec. The Seltos? Newer screen, yes, but the Eclipse Cross rides with more maturity over rough tarmac.

Ownership numbers

1. Warranty: 3-year/100,000 km (manufacturer standard at last check).
2. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross service plan South Africa: 5-year/90,000 km service plan included - strong by segment standards.
3. Estimated 5-year TCO: ~R230,000.
4. Towing: 1,600 kg braked (global figure; always confirm with your local dealer).

For Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross finance in South Africa, the sticker sits well below an equivalent Tucson or Sportage, so your monthly repayments sting less. Always check the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross price in South Africa with a franchised dealer - Mitsubishi’s been trimming the range and deals shift fast.

Segment trend signal

Our 2025 internal data shows SUV demand holding above 74 points, with Crossover interest bouncing between 34 and 41. The Eclipse Cross competes in a crowded, growing field - more buyers, but stiffer competition.

Editorial Focus

The Overlooked SUV?

The argument stands up: the Eclipse Cross is overlooked, and that’s more about perception than the car itself.

First, Mitsubishi SA’s marketing spend is a fraction of Toyota’s or Haval’s. You’ll see two Sportage billboards on the M1 for every Mitsubishi. Second, the dealer network has shrunk since the Lancer’s heyday - buyers in places like Polokwane or Mthatha have valid concerns about after-sales access. Third, the brand’s image lags: most remember the Colt, not the new SUVs.

But here’s the spec sheet’s counter-punch. The Eclipse Cross 1.5T GLS gives you a turbo engine, generous service plan, 437 litres of usable boot space, a quiet and refined highway drive, and styling that won’t blend in. UK retention data hovers at 47–48% after three years - not bad for a brand many consider “forgotten.” Early 2018 models did have CVT shudder and infotainment glitches, but the 2021 facelift fixed both with revised hardware and software. Complaints about Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross problems have dropped since.

Overlooked? Absolutely. Unworthy? Not a chance. It’s what the Eclipse Cross should have been from the start - finally, it delivers.

Verdict

Who should not

Buyers out in smaller towns with no nearby Mitsubishi service, regular Van Reenen’s Pass hauliers with a full load, and anyone obsessed with cutting-edge infotainment should look elsewhere.