Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

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 CX-3 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 CX-3 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 CX-3 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 Mazda CX-3:

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 Mazda CX-3:

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

The Eclipse Cross comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Eclipse Cross 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Eclipse Cross’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-3’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (152 vs. 148) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Eclipse Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Eclipse Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 12.7 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Eclipse Cross has S-AWC, a true all-wheel-drive system, which uses a four wheel traction control system to redirect engine power to the axle and wheel that still has traction to keep the Eclipse Cross moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a true all-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

For better stopping power the Eclipse Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the CX-3:

For better traction, the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL has standard 18-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

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 Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Eclipse Cross has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Eclipse Cross flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Eclipse Cross’ wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the CX-3 (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.5 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Eclipse Cross has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (96.7 vs. 87.6).

The Eclipse Cross has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Eclipse Cross’ rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (23.4 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Eclipse Cross has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (50.1 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

The Eclipse Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Eclipse Cross SEL’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

FAST-Key standard on the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Eclipse Cross’ available outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL has standard heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats optional on SEL) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

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 CX-3 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.