Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

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 Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Sportage Hybrid 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 Eclipse Cross’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sportage Hybrid’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 6th.

The Eclipse Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage Hybrid (15.8 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Eclipse Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage Hybrid (16.6 vs. 13.7 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 Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

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 Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige’s 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Sportage Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.6 feet). The Eclipse Cross’ turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Sportage Hybrid’s (35 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sportage Hybrid (8.5 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Kia Sportage Hybrid.

The Eclipse Cross is 4.5 inches shorter than the Sportage Hybrid, making the Eclipse Cross easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Eclipse Cross SEL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Sportage Hybrid’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 Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sportage Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Sportage Hybrid 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 Sportage Hybrid.