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2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test
Date Published: 5/08/08
Also in the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review:
1.
2.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Our road test for the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse includes a full evaluation of the
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and
handling performance for the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse, but also interior cabin
and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse help you decide if a 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse is right for
you.
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (V6) | Road noise |
| Handling/roadholding | Rear-seat room |
| Rear entry/exit | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Manual-transmission GS models have adequate pep for most needs, but demand fairly frequent shifting to coax real life from the 4-cyl. With automatic transmission, 4-cyl acceptable around town, but lacks highway passing punch: Test hatchback did 9.2 sec 0-60. Torquey V6 shines in highway passing and helps GTs to robust acceleration: Test GT hatchback automatic did 6.5 sec 0-60. Convertibles slightly slower due to some 200-lb additional weight.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6.4 |
Manual-transmission GS models have adequate pep for most needs, but demand fairly frequent shifting to coax real life from the 4-cyl. With automatic transmission, 4-cyl acceptable around town, but lacks highway passing punch: Test hatchback did 9.2 sec 0-60. Torquey V6 shines in highway passing and helps GTs to robust acceleration: Test GT hatchback automatic did 6.5 sec 0-60. Convertibles slightly slower due to some 200-lb additional weight.
Fuel Economy
Test automatic-transmission GS hatchback averaged 19.6 mpg; test manual GT coupe averaged 17.2 mpg. Extended-use manual GT hatchback averaged 19.6 mpg over 9363 miles. Test manual-transmission GT convertible averaged 20.9 mpg. Mitsubishi recommends regular-grade fuel for GS and SE, premium for GT.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5.5 |
Test automatic-transmission GS hatchback averaged 19.6 mpg; test manual GT coupe averaged 17.2 mpg. Extended-use manual GT hatchback averaged 19.6 mpg over 9363 miles. Test manual-transmission GT convertible averaged 20.9 mpg. Mitsubishi recommends regular-grade fuel for GS and SE, premium for GT.
Ride Quality
Firm, with noticeable impact harshness over sharp bumps, especially with SE and GT optional 18-inch tires. Convertible GT slightly more compliant than coupe. Some convertible body quiver over larger bumps. All models exhibit abrupt, choppy vertical motions on all but smooth pavement.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Firm, with noticeable impact harshness over sharp bumps, especially with SE and GT optional 18-inch tires. Convertible GT slightly more compliant than coupe. Some convertible body quiver over larger bumps. All models exhibit abrupt, choppy vertical motions on all but smooth pavement.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Not quite as sporty as looks imply, but corners with ample grip, minimal body lean. Convertibles impressively solid, suffer no noticeable handling penalty. Lighter GS and SE models feel a bit better balanced than GTs, though SE and GT optional 18-inch tires offer more grip. GTs do suffer torque steer in brisk acceleration, though convertibles slightly less so. Large turning circle a real hassle in tight spots. Good stopping power, brake pedal feel.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Not quite as sporty as looks imply, but corners with ample grip, minimal body lean. Convertibles impressively solid, suffer no noticeable handling penalty. Lighter GS and SE models feel a bit better balanced than GTs, though SE and GT optional 18-inch tires offer more grip. GTs do suffer torque steer in brisk acceleration, though convertibles slightly less so. Large turning circle a real hassle in tight spots. Good stopping power, brake pedal feel.
Quietness
Both styles suffer marked coarse-surface tire drone, though it is more noticeable in convertible. Wing windows help prevent excess wind buffeting of front-seat occupants in convertible. 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 noted minor squeaks in extended-use-test GT coupe.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Both styles suffer marked coarse-surface tire drone, though it is more noticeable in convertible. Wing windows help prevent excess wind buffeting of front-seat occupants in convertible. 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 noted minor squeaks in extended-use-test GT coupe.
Controls
Switchgear logically placed, though a couple of controls might be a bit of stretch for some drivers. Audio-system display is atop dashboard, far removed from actual controls. Convertible top drops, raises in 19 sec via one-button control. Cabin has some padded panels, but suffers from too many hard plastic surfaces.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Switchgear logically placed, though a couple of controls might be a bit of stretch for some drivers. Audio-system display is atop dashboard, far removed from actual controls. Convertible top drops, raises in 19 sec via one-button control. Cabin has some padded panels, but suffers from too many hard plastic surfaces.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Good adult leg room, but head room in coupes can be a problem for anyone over 6-feet tall. Steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, so some shorter testers find pedals a long reach. Nicely bolstered seats are comfortable and provide support in fast turns. Low-slung styling and long doors make entry/exit a bit difficult. Visibility aft and over the shoulder in coupes seriously compromised by thick roof pillars, rake of rear glass. Rear visibility even worse in convertibles with top up.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.1 |
Good adult leg room, but head room in coupes can be a problem for anyone over 6-feet tall. Steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, so some shorter testers find pedals a long reach. Nicely bolstered seats are comfortable and provide support in fast turns. Low-slung styling and long doors make entry/exit a bit difficult. Visibility aft and over the shoulder in coupes seriously compromised by thick roof pillars, rake of rear glass. Rear visibility even worse in convertibles with top up.
Room/Comfort (rear)
The usual sporty-coupe token gesture: cramped, hard to access, and thus best left to toddlers or small cargo. Shoulder room further compromised in convertibles.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1.1 |
The usual sporty-coupe token gesture: cramped, hard to access, and thus best left to toddlers or small cargo. Shoulder room further compromised in convertibles.
Cargo Room
Hatchback has fairly shallow cargo bay with modest floor area and irregular shape. Bulky available subwoofer eats up space. Convertible has small trunk, tight opening, and, like hatchback, high liftover. In both, cabin small-item storage subpar.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2.5 |
Hatchback has fairly shallow cargo bay with modest floor area and irregular shape. Bulky available subwoofer eats up space. Convertible has small trunk, tight opening, and, like hatchback, high liftover. In both, cabin small-item storage subpar.
Value within Class
Cramped, noisy, and difficult to see out of, Eclipse sacrifices much for the sake of style. No version possesses the handling poise of rivals that benefit from lighter weight and/or rear- or all-wheel drive. Still, Eclipse's sporty character, powerful available V6, and new convertible model hold some appeal for buyers who favor youthful appearance over balanced performance.
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6.2 |
Cramped, noisy, and difficult to see out of, Eclipse sacrifices much for the sake of style. No version possesses the handling poise of rivals that benefit from lighter weight and/or rear- or all-wheel drive. Still, Eclipse's sporty character, powerful available V6, and new convertible model hold some appeal for buyers who favor youthful appearance over balanced performance.
Total Score
| GS hatch, man. | GS conv, auto. | GT hatch w/18-in. whls., man. | GT conv w/18-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
| 47 | 41 | 48 | 42 | 47.3 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 41 | |
| Average Score | 47 | |
| High Score | 57 |
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Also in the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review:
1.
2.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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