Acceleration

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
5	4	7	7	6.4

Manual-transmission GS has adequate pep for most needs, but demands fairly frequent shifting to coax real life from the 4-cyl. GS with automatic acceptable around town, but lacks highway passing punch: Test example did 9.2 sec 0-60. Torquey V6 helps GTs to robust acceleration: Test GT automatic did 6.5 sec 0-60.

Fuel Economy

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
6	6	4	4	5.5

Test automatic-transmission GS averaged 19.6 mpg; test manual GT averaged 17.2 mpg. Extended-use manual GT averaging 19.1 mpg over its first 7560 miles. Mitsubishi recommends regular-grade fuel for GS, premium for GT.

Ride Quality

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	3	3.9

Little impact harshness, even GT with optional 18-inch tires. But firm nonetheless, with annoying abrupt, choppy vertical motions on all but smooth pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	8

Not quite as sporty as looks imply, but corners with ample grip, minimal body lean. Still, can't match nimble feel of Acura RSX. Oddly, GT handling differs little from GS's, even with optional 18-inch tires. GTs do suffer torque steer-- unwanted pulling to the side--in brisk acceleration. Large turning circle a real hassle in tight spots. Good stopping power, brake-pedal feel.

Quietness

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	3	3.2

Both models suffer marked coarse-surface tire drone, plus audible wind noise in gusty weather. GS 4-cyl engine raucous at high rpm, but quiet enough in highway cruising. Same goes for GT's V6, but it sounds nicer. Some testers detect minor squeaks developing in extended-use-test GT.

Controls

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.5

Gauges have small markings, are set in dark coves; not easy to read without headlights on. Blue backlighting looks hip, but some testers say it compromises instrument legibility. Driver must reach out of position to adjust dashboard-mounted power mirror control. Most other switchgear logically placed. Climate-system dials have tiny hashmarks hardly visible in daytime, and audio-system display is atop dashboard, far removed from actual controls. Cabin mixes hard plastic surfaces, some padded panels, but nothing inspires for look or feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.2

Good adult leg room, decent 6-footer head room. Steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, so some shorter testers find pedals a long reach. Nicely bolstered seats are comfortable enough, but are low to floor, which conspires with low-slung styling to create tublike feel and with long doors, for difficult entry/exit. Visibility aft and over the shoulder seriously compromised by thick roof pillars, rake of rear glass.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
2	2	2	2	1.4

The usual sporty-coupe token gesture: cramped, hard to access, and thus best left to toddlers or small cargo.

Cargo Room

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	3.2

High liftover to a fairly shallow cargo bay with modest floor area and irregular shape. Bulky available subwoofer eats up space. Cabin small-item storage subpar.

Value within Class

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	6.6

Cramped, noisy, difficult to see out of, hard to get into, Eclipse sacrifices livability for the sake of style. That wouldn't be so bad if it were outstanding in other ways. It isn't, though the GT model does have a powerful V6 engine. On the upside, expect Eclipse to be deeply discounted, mainly because of Mitsubishi's tarnished brand image, which brings with it steeper depreciation and lower trade-in value.

Total Score

GS, man.	GS, auto.	GT w/ 17-in. wheels, man.	GT w/18-in. wheels, man.	Class Average
45	44	45	43	48.9

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		40
Average Score		48
High Score		58