Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

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 Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Eclipse Cross. But it costs extra on the Tucson.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available 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 Tucson:

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 Tucson:

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

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is faster than the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Eclipse Cross gets better mileage than the Tucson:

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 Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Tucson:

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (8.5 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 Tucson 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 Tucson’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 Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate’s power windows, only the driver’s window opens or closes automatically.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.