Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Santa Fe 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, around view monitors 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 Santa Fe:

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 Santa Fe:

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 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 178) than the Santa Fe’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Eclipse Cross gets better fuel mileage than the Santa Fe:

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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Santa Fe:

For better maneuverability, the Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Santa Fe’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.5 feet). The Eclipse Cross’ turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Santa Fe’s (35 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 550 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Eclipse Cross is 8.8 inches shorter than the Santa Fe, making the Eclipse Cross easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Santa Fe SEL/Limited’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Santa Fe SE doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.