Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2021 Hyundai Kona

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Eclipse Cross SEL has a standard Multi-View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Hyundai Kona:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Hyundai Kona:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (152 vs. 147) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 132) than the Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is faster than the Hyundai Kona 4 cyl.:

The Eclipse Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Eclipse Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Eclipse Cross has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Kona doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Eclipse Cross’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the Eclipse Cross has larger standard tires than the Kona (215/70R16 vs. 205/60R16).

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Eclipse Cross’ wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Kona (105.1 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona (8.5 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Eclipse Cross has 2.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona (96.7 vs. 94.1).

The Eclipse Cross has .7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Eclipse Cross’ rear seats recline. The Kona’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona with its rear seat up (23.4 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona with its rear seat folded (50.1 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The Eclipse Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Kona’s standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The Eclipse Cross SEL’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches. With the Kona SEL/Night/Limited/Ultimate’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

Consumer Reports rated the Eclipse Cross’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Kona’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Kona offer available heated front seats. The Eclipse Cross SEL also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona.

On extremely cold winter days, the Eclipse Cross SEL’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kona doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.