Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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.

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 CX-3.

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, 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross weighs 434 to 654 pounds more than the Mazda CX-3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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:

	Eclipse Cross	CX-3
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30.3%	39%
Neck Stress	162 lbs.	198 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	314/170 lbs.	252/310 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 Mazda CX-3:

	Eclipse Cross	CX-3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	145	183
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	154 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	292 lbs.	334 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	241
Spine Acceleration	55 G’s	85 G’s
Hip Force	464 lbs.	487 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	622 lbs.	629 lbs.

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

Warranty

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 or 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).

Engine

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Eclipse Cross 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 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Transmission and Drivetrain

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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Eclipse Cross	CX-3
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.1 inches

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the CX-3:

	Eclipse Cross	CX-3
70 to 0 MPH	178 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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.

Passenger Space

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, 2.1 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.

Cargo Capacity

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).

Towing

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

Ergonomics

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’ standard 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.

Recommendations

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross outsold the Mazda CX-3 by 32% during the 2021 model year.