2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse help you decide if a 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse is right for you.

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Road noise

Handling/roadholding	Rear-seat room

	Rear entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	6	5	5	6.3

Large, torquey engines for class; a boon for stop/go driving. Takeoffs sleepy with 4-cyl/automatic, but test GS coupe with manual transmission did a decent 9.2 sec 0-60 mph. Test automatic GT coupe took 8.6. Spyders weigh a bit more, but are almost as quick. No opportunity yet to test a GTS.

Fuel Economy

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
6	6	5	5	5.8

Good, but nothing special. Extended-use automatic GT coupe averaged 20.7 mpg over 9848-mi. test. Automatic GT Spyder averaged 20.6 in our tests; a manual GS coupe returned 23.3. V6 engines require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	3	3	3	4

More pliant and comfortable than most rivals. Still, rough roads can induce irksome wheel patter in any model. Spyders show some body shake, though they're acceptably rigid.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
7	8	8	7	8.1

Alert, responsive, with little cornering lean and grippy front-drive predictability. But steering feel more family sedan than sports car, and large turning circle impedes close-quarters maneuvers. Braking uniformly good, but ABS should be available on all models, not just GTS versions.

Quietness

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	2	3.2

Prominent full-throttle engine noise. V6 hardly quieter than 4-cyl, with tiresome exhaust note. Tire thrum intrudes on coarse surfaces, but wind rush minimal.

Controls

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	6.1

Mostly clear, handy, but clock and audio readouts in central dashtop pod can be tough to see in daytime. Ditto indicator lights on climate-control panel. Budget-grade plastic dominates cabin.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.1

Low-slung and cozy, but not cramped. Seats comfortable. Visibility difficult aft--especially top-up in Spyders with their tiny back windows. Standard tilt steering wheel may not go high enough for some taller drivers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
1	1	1	1	1.4

Rear seat a token gesture best left to kids. As in most small sporty 2-drs, entry/exit requires break-dance moves.

Cargo Room

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	1	3.2

Generous in coupes with rear seat folded, limited in Spyders. Lofty liftover either way, and coupe's hatch lid is heavy.

Value within Class

GS, man.	GT, man.	GT, auto.	GT Spyder, auto.	Class Average
4	5	4	4	6.7

An available V6 and a relatively pliant suspension help Eclipse feel a bit more mature than the Acura RSX and Toyota Celica, but those rivals are better built, more fun to drive, and hold their value far better.

Total Score