Will the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross rival the Jeep Compass?

- The Eclipse Cross at 4.4m length is of the same size as the Jeep Compass

- Might be offered only with a petrol engine

With the new Outlander in, Mitsubishi India is mulling about expanding its portfolio in the country which now has the Pajero Sport and the erstwhile Montero. One of the cars being considered is the Eclipse Cross and we think it might fit in like a glove if Mitsubishi prices it as a rival to Jeep Compass or Hyundai Tucson.

Because, at 4.4m in length, the Eclipse Cross gets the dimensions befitting a premium five-seater crossover SUV, just like the Compass and the Tucson. Since it will begin with low volumes, Mitsubishi will not be able to afford a price war which is why we think it might end up rivalling the Tucson rather than the Compass.

It gets a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 152bhp of power similar to the 1.4-litre Multi-Air mill of the Jeep Compass. It gets an eight-speed CVT with Sport Mode standard and gets all-wheel drive as an option. 

In terms of design, while the fascia is rather sleek when compared to the busy tail-end. It gets the typical Mitsubishi styling with the twin-slat grille in the front, the angular headlamps and the chunky bumper design gilded with chrome. The drama begins from the profile with the shoulder line aiming for the sky and the roofline swopping down like a coupe. The unique design of the tail has the tail-lamp unit splitting the rear windscreen into two parts and it looks like a double-spoiler setup from a distance. 

The cabin is all-black, wrapped in leather and looks pricey. The tablet touchscreen display pops out from the sleek dashboard design which houses the climate control and all the other buttons. It also gets a sunroof amongst other bells and whistles befitting a premium crossover SUV. The Eclipse Cross is expected to arrive in India around 2020 and by that time, both the Compass and the Tucson will be due for an update making things even more interesting for the Eclipse Cross.