Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2026 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.

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 Sportage Hybrid.

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, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Kia Sportage Hybrid:

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

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

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Eclipse Cross for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage Hybrid.

The Eclipse Cross 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 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 stops shorter than the Sportage Hybrid:

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).

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 Eclipse Cross is 5.4 inches shorter than the Sportage Hybrid, making the Eclipse Cross easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Sportage Hybrid EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Consumer Reports rated the Eclipse Cross’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Sportage Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Eclipse Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Sportage Hybrid S/EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige.