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The Eclipse Cross is one of Mitsubishiā€˜s compact crossover SUVs. The automaker has been offering this vehicle since the 2018 model year as either a FWD or a more expensive AWD. But for the 2023 model year, every Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will feature Mitsubishiā€™s ā€œSuper All-Wheel-Controlā€ AWD standard.

The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gets an upgrade

Promo photo of the new 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross compact SUV parked on concrete in front of a setting sun.
2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Mitsubishi Motors

The Eclipse Cross SUV shares its ā€œGS Platformā€ chassis with the Delica D:5, Outlander Sport, and Lancer. It doesnā€™t share much more than a badge with the original Mitsubishi Eclipse. In Mitsubishiā€™s lineup, it lands between the Outlander Sport and regular Outlanderā€“size-wise.

You can order a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with either a 2.0-liter I4 (148 horsepower) or a 1.5-liter turbocharged I4 (148-161 horsepower). Mitsubishi also offers a plug-in hybrid with a 2.4-l I4 petroleum engine.

Back in 2019, you could only order a FWD Eclipse Cross if it was the base trim ES. But Mitsubishi only offered the turbocharged 1.5-liter and six-speed manual transmission powertrain in FWD. So from 2020 onward, Mitsubishi began to offer every trim Eclipse Cross with FWD.

For the 2023 model year, every Eclipse Cross will be AWDā€“according to a recent press release. Does this mean Mitsubishi will engineer a manual transmission for the AWD layout or phase out the option entirely? Weā€™ll just have to wait and find out.

What is standard Super All-Wheel Control?

This Mitsubishi feature is much more than just AWD. It integrates the anti-lock braking system (ABS), adaptive stability control (ASC), and active yaw control (AYC), and an electronically controlled center differential to keep the vehicle stable.

Dealership sign with the Mitsubishi logo against a blue sky.
Mitsubishi Motors logo | Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images

Mitsubishi engineered Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) to keep its taller vehicles stable in all weather conditions. The engineers also created a system for cornering and straight-line acceleration.

Mitsubishi Motors wants to remind car buyers that the company has an off-road racing history. The S-AWC system draws on this heritage to improve the crossoverā€™s performance both on-road and off:

ā€œS-AWC traces its roots back to the companyā€™s legendary motorsport victories on the special stages of the World Rally Championship and in the desert dunes ofĀ Dakar.ā€

Mitsubishi Motors

How much will a 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross cost?

Mitsubishi has announced that the 2023 Eclipse Cross, with standard Super All-Wheel Control will start at $25,795. The Eclipse Cross SEL, loaded with the Touring Package, will start at $31,395.

The Mitsubishi company is offering six trim levels of its Eclipse Cross. The basic Eclipse Cross ES starts at $25,795. The Eclipse Cross LE ($27,045) adds an 8-inch smartphone-link Display with Apple Carplay/Android Auto.

The Eclipse Cross SE ($28,045) benefits from 18-inch rims, auto light control, synthetic suede, dual-zone climate control, and driver aids such as blindspot warning and lane change assist. If you opt for the Panorama package your Eclipse Cross SE will begin at $29,045 but youā€™ll get a sunroof.

The Eclipse Cross SEL ($29,295) gets paddle-shifters, leather seats, a multi-view camera system, and even a heated steering wheel. If you opt for the Touring Package ($31,395) your fully-loaded Eclipse Cross SEL gets heated rear seats, a stereo upgrade, a heads-up display, collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, and a powered panoramic sunroof.

See Mitsubishiā€™s latest ad for its Eclipse Cross below:

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