Mitsubishi's hopes that this redesigned-for-2006 Eclipse will jump-start lagging sales of its entire lineup didn't quite pan out. But that's not the fault of this shapely four-seater, which is wider, heavier, and more powerful than the 2000-2005 models it replaced.

The heart of our extended-use '06 GT is its 263-hp 3.8-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Our editors agree this is Eclipse's strongest feature. It provides something lacking in most class competitors: torquey, linear acceleration. The downside is torque steer, or pulling to the side, in rapid acceleration.

There's debate about the handling. Some editors praise it, others say it's not nearly as sporting as this car's looks promise. No tester is impressed with the quality of the GT's interior materials. Like most in its class, it requires premium-grade fuel. And this is not a quiet car.

But most criticism centers around the compromises inherent in any coupe body style. A low seating position, thick roof pillars, and narrow rear window make for poor outward visibility. Long doors complicate entry/exit. Rear-seat room is limited, and our test car's optional sub woofer eats up lots of cargo space. On the positive side, our test GT has been mechanically trouble-free, its styling turns some heads, and its ride quality isn't punishing.

Editors' Comments

Tom Appel: What is this car? It doesn't play with the Toyota Solara or Honda Accord coupe, because the rear seat is too small. It's too wide and hefty to play with the Scion tC or Acura RSX. Still, Eclipse is a potent commuter with a sporty, enjoyable nature.

Kirk Bell: The Eclipse isn't as fun as I'd hoped. Yes, the V6 is powerful, and especially delightful at highway speeds, but I just don't buy that it's a true sports car. Even though I like the Galant platform, it just doesn't cut it as a sports car. The Eclipse has front-drive and all the torque steer and handling compromises that come with it.

Ed Piotrowski: The V6 loves to rev, and the manual transmission is a delight. But the poor rear visibility, subpar audio system, and copious road noise are unbecoming of a car that's supposed to fetch nearly $28,000.

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse