2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Road Test
Archived Review
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse ▼
Select a Trim ▼
- MSRP: $17,987 -$26,407
- Invoice: $16,775 -$24,618
Features & Specifications
Compare Vehicle
Related to Mitsubishi Eclipse
Previous Year's Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Our road test for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse includes a full evaluation of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse help you decide if a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse is right for you.
Advertisement
ACCELERATION
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
Eclipses have larger, torquier engines than any rival, a boon for stop-and-go driving. Takeoffs are sleepy in 4-cyl automatic models, but test GS coupe with manual transmission did 0-60 mph in decent 9.2 sec. Automatic GT coupe took 8.6 sec. Spyders weigh a bit more than coupes but are about as quick.
FUEL ECONOMY
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.1 |
Good, but nothing special. Extended-use test automatic GT coupe averaged 20.7 mpg over 9848 mi. Automatic GT Spyder returned 20.6, manual GS coupe 23.3. V6s require premium fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
Pliant and comfortable for sporty compacts, and better than most rivals. Still, rough roads can induce wheel patter in any Eclipse, and Spyders show some body shaking, though they're acceptably rigid.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.8 |
Alert and responsive, with little cornering lean, and grippy front-drive predictability. Large turning circle impedes maneuverability, though. Braking is uniformly good, but ABS should be available on all models, not just GTs.
QUIETNESS
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3.2 |
Full-throttle engine noise prominent, and V6 is hardly quieter than the 4 cyl. Plus, GT exhaust note artificial and tiresome. Tire noise intrudes on coarse surfaces, but wind rush is minimal.
CONTROLS
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Mostly clear and handy, but the clock and audio readouts in the central dashtop pod can be tough to see in daytime. Ditto the air conditioning and recirculation indicator lights. Budget-grade plastic dominates cabin.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.3 |
Low-slung and cozy but not cramped. Huggy seats are long-haul comfortable. Visibility difficult aft--especially top-up in Spyders with their teensy back windows. Standard tilt steering wheel doesn't go high enough for tall drivers.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
Rear seat is a token gesture best left to children. Entry/exit requires limbo-dancer moves, as do most Eclipse rivals.
CARGO ROOM
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Generous in coupes with the rear seat folded, limited in Spyders (though not by the folded top). Liftover is lofty in both body styles, and the coupe hatch lid is rather heavy.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.6 |
Relaxed V6 makes Eclipse the baby boomer's sport coupe, but time is passing by cars of this ilk. Faced with a decision, we'd opt for the GT, though we wouldn't feel penalized in a 4-cyl model.
Total Score
| RS, man. | GT, man. | GT, auto. | GT Spyder, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 47 | 45 | 40 | 44.3 |
Total Score: 44
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
