Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2025 Subaru Forester

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Forester have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, 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 Subaru Forester:

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

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 Forester’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 Subaru covers the Forester. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Forester ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Eclipse Cross’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Forester’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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). Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Forester.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 178) than the Forester’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 176) than the Forester Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Forester:

For better maneuverability, the Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.1 feet). The Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Forester’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Eclipse Cross is 3.7 inches shorter than the Forester, making the Eclipse Cross easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Forester doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Forester’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring.

Both the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Subaru Forester offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Eclipse Cross offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Forester’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.