Compare the2023 Jeep CompassVS 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Compass’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Compass are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Compass has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Compass Trailhawk’s standard Hill-descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer Hill-descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Compass has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Compass’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Compass and the Eclipse Cross 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Compass is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Compass	Eclipse Cross
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	196	290
Neck Stress	445 lbs.	467 lbs.
Neck Compression	38 lbs.	65 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 Jeep Compass is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Compass	Eclipse Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	145
Abdominal Force	134 lbs.	154 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	162
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	355	358
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	44 G’s

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Compass the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 169 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Eclipse Cross has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Compass’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Eclipse Cross’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Compass for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Eclipse Cross.

There are over 7 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Compass’ warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Compass has a standard 850-amp battery. The Eclipse Cross’ 520-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Jeep higher than Mitsubishi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 1 place higher in reliability than Mitsubishi.

Engine

The Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (200 vs. 152) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 184) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

		MPG
Compass
	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
Eclipse Cross
	ES 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/26 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Compass’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Compass has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Compass higher (6 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (5). This means the Compass produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Eclipse Cross every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Compass’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Eclipse Cross:

	Compass	Eclipse Cross
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Compass 4x4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Eclipse Cross (235/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Compass Trailhawk’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Eclipse Cross ES’ standard 70 series tires. The Compass 4x4’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Compass has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Eclipse Cross ES. The Compass 4x4’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL.

The Compass Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Eclipse Cross; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Compass has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Compass’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Compass Limited handles at .75 G’s, while the Eclipse Cross SEL pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Compass Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Eclipse Cross SEL (28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The Compass is 5.6 inches shorter than the Eclipse Cross, making the Compass easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Compass has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Eclipse Cross (99.6 vs. 96.7).

The Compass has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the Eclipse Cross.

Cargo Capacity

The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 23.4 cubic feet). The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat folded (59.8 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is limited to 1500 pounds. The Compass offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Compass uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Compass Limited/Trailhawk, the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Compass’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Eclipse Cross does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Compass’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Eclipse Cross has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Compass and the Eclipse Cross have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Compass is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Eclipse Cross prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Compass’ front power windows 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 Eclipse Cross’ standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Compass’ power locks have a lockout prevention feature. When the key is in the ignition or smart key is in the passenger compartment and the driver’s door is open, the power locks won’t lock. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t provide lockout prevention.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Compass’ standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Compass has a standard rear variable intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Eclipse Cross only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Compass’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Eclipse Cross’ headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Compass has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Eclipse Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/SEL.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Compass Limited/Trailhawk keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Compass and the Eclipse Cross offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Compass has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Jeep Compass (except Sport) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Compass (except Sport) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Compass owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Compass will cost $755 to $2380 less than the Eclipse Cross over a five-year period.

The Compass will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Compass will retain 48.2% to 49.34% of its original price after five years, while the Eclipse Cross only retains 44.85% to 45.54%.

Recommendations

The Jeep Compass outsold the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by over 8 to one during the 2022 model year.

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