For all those Android users out there, you’ll be glad to hear that the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has smartphone technology that claims it will have you connected to Android Auto seamlessly for a plug and play experience that used to be reserved only for iPhone users. Google Maps is integrated, and Google Assistant is said to answer your every beck and call. But does it deliver?

According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is “lackluster and underwhelming.” That’s kind compared to U.S. News and World Reports that stepped up to state unapologetically that the Eclipse Cross “is not a good compact SUV.”

The Good

While the reviews of the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross are, at best, somewhat “meh,” it is nice to know that Mitsubishi is stepping up in recognition that its customers have been hit hard by COVID-19.

We previously reported that the automaker is granting three months of payment relief to assist during the pandemic. Every little bit helps when times are tough, so it is nice to see some grace given.

In the Consumer Reports review, access and the rear seat took the highest scores. Car and Driver found the interior a pleasant surprise free from cheap materials.

Edmunds was much more complimentary than most with an overall 7.1 rating out of a possible 10, giving kudos to the peppy performance from the turbocharged engine, the standard features, and an easy-to-use infotainment system standard in all Eclipse Cross models.

If you want to excel in only one area as an automaker, safety would be at the top of the list. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Eclipse Cross with a five-star safety rating.

The warranties are generous, with a limited warranty covering five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty covering 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Some of the high-tech features that support the excellent safety rating are the available options of automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The Bad

Despite the claims of “the most advanced tech on the market” from some Mitsubishi dealerships, for the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Android Auto is not standard. Why would something as ubiquitous as using your phone for hands-free navigation or touch-free calling be an optional feature? You’ll have to ask Mitsubishi about that. 

Although Car and Driver liked the stylish and comfortable interior, they also noted that the lack of a lumbar adjustment made the test driver uncomfortable after a few hours. Interestingly, Motor1 ripped the interior, saying that it was “perfectly plain, with a healthy heaping of black plastic and faux chrome trim pieces.” 

In the Consumer Reports test drive, they found the engine performance lacking, stating that the 152-horsepower, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine seemed to struggle when climbing hills or merging onto highways. Car and Driver found the fuel economy “totally unremarkable.” While the warranties are nice, the fact that complimentary scheduled maintenance is not included is anything but nice. 

The Ugly

The Consumer Reports test drive found the handling clumsy. Despite the all-wheel drive mode, the 2020 Eclipse Cross is not designed for off-road driving, unless you count the occasional dirt road or unpaved parking lot.

Motor1 noted that, although the 2020 Eclipse Cross did have some technological advances, the touchpad is slow to respond, as is the 7.0-inch touchscreen with dated graphics.

While there are some decent qualities of the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, like the relatively low average starting price, the reviews aren’t that good. With 13 other compact SUVs that score higher in this class of 15, you may be better off passing on the Eclipse Cross.