Safety test ratings are one of the top things people consider when buying a car, whether new or used. People want to be sure that the vehicle they are purchasing will be safe if the unexpected happens. Automakers are continually innovating, trying to find ways to ensure that their products do well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests. The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross received five stars overall in its testing. 

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been totally redesigned

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a newly redesigned vehicle and is part of Mitsubishi’s initiative to have a sporty, fresh look across its entire line-up. As part of its redesign, Mitsubishi made the 2022 Eclipse Cross one of the safest vehicles on the road.

In addition to its improved structure, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross adds several new safety and driver assistance features, including Pedestrian Detection and Forward Collision Mitigation. These features are standard on all trim levels. Most trim levels also feature rain detection wipers and automatic high beams. Other features include blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2022 Eclipse Cross compact SUV is a step up from its predecessor. Mitsubishi skipped the 2021 model year and focused instead on redesigning the model. One notable change is the model’s rearview visibility, which was improved by removing a light bar and a split tailgate and replacing it with a more traditional liftgate. According to Motortrend, this change improved visibility and gave the new Eclipse Cross more room in the back. 

The redesign achieved a five-star safety rating

According to Mitsubishi, the 2022 Eclipse Cross performed “exceptionally,” and the NCAP ratings back up that assertion.

The new Eclipse Cross rated an overall five stars in the NHTSA testing, which is the highest rating possible. The NHTSA has a New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, which has set the standard for safety for the last 30 years. The new compact SUV performed well enough in the NCAP to get the coveted overall five-star rating. Meanwhile, in additional testing, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross rated five stars in side-crash testing and four stars in driver and passenger side crash testing.

Legislation passed in 1972 precipitated the creation of the New Car Assessment Program. The first tests were run in 1979, which included a 35 mph front crash test. For over 30 years now, every new vehicle released goes through NCAP testing. The NCAP testing makes sure that safety features are working properly and assigns stars according to performance in multiple tests. 

The power and price of the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross keeps the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s nothing special but adequate for everyday highway driving. It features a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that shifts seamlessly between gear ratios to add as much performance as possible to the smaller engine. This makes the small engine more responsive and more fun to drive. To round out its performance chops, the Eclipse Cross also features one of the best warranties available with a 10 year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year roadside assistance with unlimited miles. 

However, perhaps one of the most appealing features of the model is its base price. Starting at just $23,395, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a budget-friendly option, and with outstanding safety features, it could be an excellent buy.