The Eclipse Cross has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
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 Niro 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.
The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL has standard Mitsubishi Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Niro doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.
Both the Eclipse Cross and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available 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 Kia Niro:
|
Eclipse Cross |
Niro |
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
4 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
3 Stars |
Chest Compression |
.5 inches |
.5 inches |
Neck Injury Risk |
30.3% |
80% |
Neck Stress |
162 lbs. |
207 lbs. |
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 Kia Niro:
|
Eclipse Cross |
Niro |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Chest Movement |
.5 inches |
.9 inches |
Abdominal Force |
154 lbs. |
196 lbs. |
Hip Force |
292 lbs. |
342 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
162 |
170 |
Spine Acceleration |
55 G’s |
77 G’s |
Hip Force |
464 lbs. |
993 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Hip Force |
622 lbs. |
712 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.