Starting at
Starting at
175 | Horsepower (hp) | 152 |
63.9 | Max. Cargo Volume (cu.ft.) | 50.1 |
26/31 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 25/28 |
Compact SUVs are excellent vehicles if you're looking for balance in your model. Slotted just above subcompact SUVs, the smallest options with car-like handling, and just beneath midsize SUVs, compact SUVs offer a little more rear passenger and cargo room than the smallest crossovers while boasting easy-to-handle dimensions. Since they are verging on midsize SUV territory, compact SUVs offer improved ride quality, often providing passengers with a smoother experience. When it comes time to choose a compact SUV, drivers frequently compare the 2024 Chevy Equinox vs 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. With nearly identical starting MSRPs, it's no mystery why so many shoppers narrow their search down to these final two.
We know that buying a car is a commitment. You don't want to find yourself 100 miles down the road, all documents signed and sealed, only to realize that you drove off in a vehicle that doesn't quite fit your needs. So, if you're in the process of selecting your compact SUV and are deciding between the 2024 Chevy Equinox and the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, we want to help you finalize that decision. We've done the research, taken the test drives, and here's what we can tell you about the 2024 Chevy Equinox vs the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Not everyone thinks of performance when they're looking at small SUVs. This topic comes up more frequently for large SUV drivers and truck drivers. However, don't overlook the performance of your compact SUV. One of the main reasons people switch to a compact SUV is specifically because they want more rugged abilities but don't want to kiss fuel economy goodbye. A good compact SUV balances both.
So, where do these two stand as far as fuel efficiency goes? They're close, but the Equinox does give slightly better figures across the board. The EPA gives the 2024 Equinox a rating of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The Eclipse Cross sees 25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The biggest difference is certainly that highway figure for the Equinox. So, if you tackle long stretches of highway on your daily commute, you'll spend a bit less on gas in the Equinox.
If you're like many compact SUV shoppers, you moved to this vehicle category because a sedan literally let you down in a slippery situation. When the roads were wet, you hydroplaned or slid into an intersection. It was a scary moment, and you said, "Never again." You want a vehicle with all-wheel drive. However, you still want good fuel economy, so you don't need a full-time AWD vehicle. Luckily, both the Equinox and the Eclipse Cross boast part-time AWD that you can turn on when you need it and off when you don't.
The two are also twins in the towing department. Each one of these models can tow 1,500 lbs. It's not a substantial amount, but it's just right for a couple dragging a mini camping pod out to a lakeside destination. We will say that the Equinox gets a hefty 175 hp compared to the 152 hp of the Eclipse Cross. Translation: you could pay for it in terms of acceleration when you tow with the Eclipse Cross.
So we know that both of these vehicles drive nicely; now the question is: how's the ride quality? It's important that you and your passengers are comfortable, especially if you have lengthy trips ahead.
The Equinox beats the Eclipse Cross hands-down in the comfort and convenience departments. In fact, spend a few minutes in either one, and you'll notice something immediately: the Equinox is much quieter inside. That's because it has Active Noise Cancellation, a sophisticated system of microphones and signals that detect and cancel out unwanted external noise. The result is a serene cabin that's great for road trip napping. The Eclipse Cross does not offer such a system for now.
The Equinox also boasts a total of nearly seven more cubic feet of passenger volume area. That's substantial. When you plan on using all five seats of your compact SUV and you're on a long road trip, your passengers will just feel less cramped up in the Equinox. The Equinox specifically has a couple more inches of rear passenger leg and headroom, which really makes a difference when you have tall passengers. We will say the driver will be sitting pretty in either model, as both offer an available eight-way power-adjustable driver seat.
You'll also find a bit more room for everyone's belongings in the Equinox. The Chevy gets 63.9 cu.ft. of cargo volume with the rear seats down; the Mitsubishi gets just over 50 cu.ft. Those are numbers you cannot ignore. If your compact SUV is going to be your travel vehicle, you need room for suitcases, coolers, and all your creature comforts. As for getting to that stuff, both models offer an available hands-free power liftgate. This will come in handy when your arms are too full to manually open your trunk. They both also offer 60/40 split-folding rear seats, letting you configure your cargo space (but no matter how you slice it, it's larger in the Equinox).
If you're buying a new vehicle today, you don't expect to monitor your surroundings all on your own. There are just too many great driver-assist features out there for that. Do the Equinox and Eclipse Cross meet today's drivers' standards? Let's take a look.
As far as monitoring your surroundings goes, each of these models offers a good array of camera angles that let you check out what's going on at pretty much every angle. The Eclipse Cross has its available Multi-View Camera System, offering a bird's eye view and a wide-angle view, along with a rear one. The Equinox has its HD Surround Vision Camera available, giving you a 360-degree look around your compact SUV. We'd feel confident in congested areas with either of these camera systems.
Speaking of congested areas, you'll appreciate the rear cross-traffic alert on both vehicles when you're backing out of driveways. It will notify you of vehicles approaching you when you're in reverse to prevent accidents. Each model also has forward collision mitigation systems that alert you of potential crashes and activate emergency braking if necessary. You will also get lane departure warnings in either model.
That covers the overlap between these two models. Equinox, however, has more to offer than the Eclipse Cross. It has OnStar Connected Services, putting you in touch with critical emergency service teams after a crash. It also has a Rear seat reminder, reminding you to check the back seat for valuables before getting out of the vehicle. Plus, it has Chevy's renowned Teen Driver system, with features that encourage your teen to be a safer driver, like speed limit restrictions and driving report cards.
Only the Equinox gets Rear Park Assist. This uses a series of sensors that activate when you're going in reverse less than five mph and can notify you of objects in your way that are up to eight feet away. In the Eclipse Cross, you're on your own when it comes to navigating tricky parking spots. The Equinox offers a substantial number of safety features that the Eclipse Cross does not. These features range from ones that provide peace of mind to those that can even save your life in an emergency.