2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse help you decide if a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse is right for you.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Road noise

Handling/roadholding	Rear-seat room

	Rear visibility

	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

RS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
5	7	6	6	5.9

Eclipses have large, torquey engines for front-drive sporty coupes, a boon in stop-and-go driving. Takeoffs are sleepy in 4-cyl/automatic models, but test GS coupe with manual transmission did a decent 9.2 sec 0-60 mph. Test automatic GT coupe took 8.6 sec. Spyders weigh a bit more but are about as quick. Have not yet tested a GTS.

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 averaged 20.6, manual GS coupe 23.3. V6 requires premium fuel.

Ride Quality

RS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	3	3	3	3.5

More pliant and comfortable 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
6	8	8	7	7.7

Alert and responsive, with little cornering lean, and grippy front-drive predictability. Steering feel is more family sedan indifferent than sports-car precise, though, and Eclipse's large turning circle impedes low-speed maneuverability. Braking uniformly good, but ABS should be available on all models, not confined to the 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. V6 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	6

Mostly clear and handy, but clock and audio readouts in the central dashtop pod can be tough to see in daytime. Ditto 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	4.7

Low-slung and cozy but not cramped. Huggy seats are 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	1.1

Rear seat is a token gesture best left to children. As in most sporty 2-drs, entry/exit requires modern-dance moves.

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. Lofty liftover in both body styles, and the coupe hatch lid is heavy.

Value within Class

RS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	5	4	4	6.1

The available V6 engine and a relatively pliant suspension help Eclipse feel more conservative than the Acura RSX and Toyota Celica, but both those rivals are newer designs, are better-built, and are more fun to drive.

Total Score