The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sporty, front-wheel-drive coupe or convertible that doesn't have a lot of frills or a very refined look and feel, yet it can be reasonably entertaining to drive—especially in the V-6 versions of the coupe or Spyder.
With styling that's a little less mature and refined than the balanced design of the Honda Accord Coupe or Nissan Altima Coupe, the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse just isn't as pretty with its mix of lines and molten-looking, curved sheetmetal. However, its aggressive, almost giddy styling might appeal to a particular type of buyer who wants attention. Last year the Eclipse got a modest restyle in the way of restyled front and rear fascias, plus an enhanced appearance and new exhaust for the GT. For 2010, the appearance of the base GS model gets dialed up with most of those changes, even in four-cylinder form.
The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is based on the Galant sedan, so it doesn't handle with much finesse or brake with the same verve as true sports car rivals; that's the only truly disappointing aspect of the Eclipse if you can get past the tight cabin and slightly overstyled exterior. On the upside, the Eclipse exhibits excellent ride quality.
Stability control is now standard on the Mitsubishi Eclipse for 2010; also included are anti-lock disc brakes, side impact airbags, and side-curtain bags (except on the Spyder). Although the federal government hasn't crash-tested the Eclipse, the model receives top "good" ratings for frontal and side impact protection.
For 2010, a Bluetooth hands-free calling interface and rearview camera system are offered on the GS Sport and GT models; the GS Sport is the pick for those who want the fuel efficiency of the four-cylinder engine but are pulled in by the features on the V-6. A Rockford-Fosgate 650-watt audio system is available as part of the optional Sun & Sound Package on the GS or GT models. Other top options include heated leather seats and automatic climate control.
If you want true sports car handling, you may want to check out other models, but if you want a car that looks and sounds sexy and powerful—with plenty of straight-line oomph in the V-6 models—then the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse might be right for you.
Overall, the performance of the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse doesn’t quite match its extroverted looks. Motor Trend argues that "as a modern sport coupe, it's not quite there yet."
The 3.8-liter V-6 engine produces 265 hp with a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic, and for those who want the Eclipse to feel even remotely sporty, it’s the only choice. According to Motor Trend, the V-6 clocks a "0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 5.8 seconds," and Car and Driver rates the Mitsubishi Eclipse the seventh quickest car in 2007. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder produces 162 hp when teamed with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Jalopnik remarks that the sexy styling and the throaty purr of the V-6 engine could "seduce you into serious speed."
Other reviewers aren’t quite as happy with the performance of the Mitsubishi Eclipse near the limit or when the roads turned twisty. Cars.com reports that "the Eclipse is front-heavy and understeer is prevalent, even when off the throttle.” One test driver for Jalopnik "squeezed the gas [entering a curve] and nearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked car."
Convertible versions aren’t always as solid-feeling as the coupes that they’re based upon, but the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder models were conceived from the beginning as part of the model line, with a reinforced structure. Popular Mechanics declares the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder "to be twist-free and solid, with no excessive cowl shake."
Road & Track likes the feel of the front seats but points out that "rear-seat head room suffers." The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse's front seats are built to feel more like a cockpit than a car. "The low-slung driving position makes you feel like you're inside the car, not riding on top,” says Road & Track, and Cars.com calls out the "deep cutouts in the doors that give front-seat riders extra elbowroom."
The tight front-seat quarters of the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse might make occupants feel as if they’re in a womb. It’s not for the claustrophobic; Motor Trend reports "the roof, dash, and door panels seem shrink-wrapped around you."
No reviewers have anything kind to say about the diminutive backseat, which is hard to access even if you want to place a child seat there. Cars.com points out that "the 50/50-split rear seatback folds down for more capacity."
The Eclipse Spyder convertible involves less compromise than some convertibles, with a level of comfort close to that of the coupe. Popular Mechanics says "its folding cloth top, which disappears beneath a hard tonneau cover at the touch of a button, helps distance it" from the competition.
Edmunds likes the “solid-quality materials, supportive seats and an especially nice optional stereo." Motor Trend criticizes the Mitsubishi Eclipse's greater "wind and road noise, and the body doesn't feel...solid."
Safety-The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse offers pretty good occupant protection, based on available crash-test information. Although federal crash-test results aren’t yet in, the Eclipse performs quite well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, where the Eclipse is rated "good" in frontal and side impact but "marginal" for rear impact.
Even though the Eclipse’s styling is now a bit dated, Mitsubishi keeps its safety feature list with the times; electronic stability is now a standard feature across the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse line.
The Eclipse coupe comes with front seat-mounted side airbags and head curtain airbags. Cars.com notes the "coupe's six standard airbags include the required frontal-impact airbags and seat-mounted side-impact devices to protect front occupants." Edmunds, however, warns that the "airbags protect front riders only, and the rear seat lacks head restraints."
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