Test drive Toyota C-HR vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Following the premium Germans, mass-market SUVs began to try on the coupe-crossover format. Finding out who does it best so far
When the first generation BMW X6 first appeared, few expected it to be a real breakthrough in the market. However, after a few years, almost all premium manufacturers have acquired such crossovers. And now this trend has entered the mass segment.
While the market froze in anticipation of the elegant Renault Arkana and the fast Skoda Kodiaq GT, Toyota and Mitsubishi are already selling the C-HR and Eclipse Cross with might and main.
Against the background of boring classmates with traditional bodies, both of these cars look at least extraordinary. Although it was not without sharp comments, and for the most part went to Mitsubishi. The form factor has nothing to do with it: it's all about the name. When marketers decided to revive the Eclipse name for a non-trivial crossover, not a sports coupe, they could expect a similar reaction. However, the name Toyota also has a hint of compartment: the abbreviation C-HR stands for "Сoup High Rider".
Eclipse Cross, it seems, should please with a vigorous engine. At least its characteristics promise a good pickup. Under the hood of Mitsubishi is a new 1,5-liter turbocharged unit that develops 150 hp. and 250 Nm, but in fact the car drives fresh. It seems that all "horses" get stuck in a not very well tuned variator. In addition, the weight of the Eclipse is rather big - 1600 kg. The declared 11,4 s to "hundreds" is not very fun, not only on paper, but also on the road.
The interior decoration of the Eclipse pleases a little more, but still does not cause such delight as its exterior in this bright red color. There are a minimum of ergonomic miscalculations: only the not very efficient touchscreen of the multimedia system frustrates.
Otherwise, Mitsubishi is a solid middle peasant. It has energy-intensive suspensions, understandable and predictable handling, average sound insulation by the standards of the class, and all-wheel drive based on a quick-action clutch.
Toyota, on the other hand, is a surprise. Her funny and even a little cartoonish appearance is discordant with the driver's character instilled by the engineers. I drove this car at the start of the summer when sales started, and even then noted the polished handling of the C-HR.
But now, against the background of the Eclipse Cross, its chassis seems not just refined in a European way, but even gambling. It is a pity that the all-wheel drive is relied on only top-end modification with a 1,2-liter "turbo four". An intermediate version of the C-HR with a two-liter aspirated for $ 21. even faster and sharper. But her drive is only front.
Both Toyota engines are assisted by a variator with completely different settings. The C-HR feels like a more dynamic car than the Eclipse Cross, although according to the passport it takes the same 11,4 seconds to accelerate to XNUMX km / h.
On the other hand, Toyota's interior is tighter than in the Eclipse Cross, and the trunk is noticeably smaller. But for the ability to obey the steering wheel and dashingly screw into replays, I am ready to forgive this car for all the flaws. It looks like the C-HR is the funniest Toyota ever sold in Russia. If we forget about the GT86.
The new Mitsubishi crossover with its visual dynamics, upturned stern and sonorous name immediately seemed, if not a breakthrough, then certainly a powerful step forward. There was a feeling that the brand was suddenly afraid of losing itself, stalled in the segment of archaic SUVs, and produced a modern, beautiful and well-equipped car in the most correct segment.
We first tested a pre-production Eclipse Cross at Mitsubishi Motors' factory proving grounds in Japan. And then we got acquainted with the serial version of the car at an international presentation in Spain.
After two tests, he seemed defiantly normal to us. A modern, albeit without super-fashionable solutions, a salon, a civilized, almost light fit and a strong set of up-to-date electronics, which was somehow inconvenient to ask engineers, because in 2018 it should have been the default. Finally, a turbo engine is still a very rare thing for Japanese mass-market models.
In Russia, Eclipse Cross surprised me with something else - the number of interested views from all sides. Here they know the brand well, love crossovers and appreciate a bright appearance, but every time the conversation about the car ended in disappointment. It's all about the price, because psychologically people are not ready to pay $ 25 for a compact Mitsubishi crossover, although, for example, the popular Kia Sportage with comparable dimensions costs about the same. Is it because there is a larger Outlander in the dealership next to the Eclipse, which is even cheaper?
In fact, the difference between the two Mitsubishi crossovers is not only in size, but also in generations. In direct comparison, the Outlander seems already outdated, even though it, like the Eclipse Cross, in the top version has all-round cameras, parking assistance systems and lane control. It's about the fit, the layout and, finally, the ride characteristics, which also make the junior crossover more modern.
It does not roll in corners, steers well and is perceived as very vigorous on the road, although in no version does it leave even from 10 seconds in acceleration to “hundreds”. Emotions are given by the character of a turbo engine, which, even when paired with a variator, spins briskly and drives the car very fervently and predictably. And the Eclipse Cross also has a completely light chassis in terms of elasticity and stability on the road, albeit at the expense of smoothness on bad roads.
Finally, all-wheel drive here really allows you to drive sideways beautifully, although it's still not worth building with respect to the rally roots of the brand of illusions. Anyone who knows how to drive four-wheel drive will notice almost standard for any crossover manners with a barely noticeable delay in the rear axle connection and the transition of handling to almost rear-wheel drive. The highlight is that Mitsubishi really knows how to give pleasure in such modes.
All this seems very attractive until you finally get used to the car. At some point, the dynamic lines and upturned stern begin to annoy, becoming unnecessarily pretentious, there is more and more cheap plastic and plain leather in the cabin, and some on-board electronics do not work as expected. And if at such a moment something even newer and no less bright appears, you instantly forget the old toy.
The Toyota C-HR crossover is also defiantly unusual in appearance: tricky, squat and at the same time very pretentious. It is good both in details and in the overall picture, so somehow the conversation about money does not even come up - it seems like it is clear in advance that a car of this format cannot be cheap, even taking into account a slightly more modest size.
An even more inspiring experience is provided by the interior, which is assembled from very simple but highly textured materials, to a feeling on your fingertips that resembles a real premium finish. Sitting in the driver's cocoon with an unfolded console and a tight seat, you completely stop paying attention to driving characteristics, but you still understand that the C-HR completely disappoints with the capabilities of the power unit and is very pleased with the clarity and almost karting accuracy of the steering response.
It really wants to go, and faster, and that's why it sorely lacks a more responsive engine. And the C-HR is clearly perceived as more youthful than the Eclipse Cross, although in practical terms it is Mitsubishi, of course, not a competitor.
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Toyota CHR | |
| A type | Crossover | Crossover |
| Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4405/1805/1685 | 4360/1795/1565 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2670 | 2640 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 183 | 160 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1600 | 1460 |
| engine's type | Gasoline, R4 | Gasoline, R4 |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1499 | 1197 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 150/5500 | 115/5200-5600 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 250/2000-3500 | 185/1500-4000 |
| Transmission, drive | CVT full | CVT full |
| Maksim. speed, km / h | 195 | 180 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 11,4 | 11,4 |
| Fuel consumption (mixture), l | 7,7 | 6,3 |
| Cargo space, l | 341 | 298 |
| Price, from $. | 25 703 | 27 717 |
