Kia Sportage vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

We hold no ANCAP data for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia Sportage stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV responds with a 2.4L D4 MPI VVT (IN) making 94kW and 199Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.

The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 94kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia Sportage measures 4,685mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 140mm longer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV at 4,545mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 359L in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, giving the Kia Sportage a 184L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 150kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Kia Sportage costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV about $1,710 a year (6 L/100km as a hybrid), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $599 a year less for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 10 years / 200k km (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia Sportage), 10 years (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $47,790), more power (115kW against 94kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 359L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 1,500kg).

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV: the longer warranty (10 years against 7) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,710 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 71

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Kia Sportage ahead by 25 points), fuel economy (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ahead by 19 points), practicality (Kia Sportage ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV costs about $599 less (6 L/100km as a hybrid against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 359L in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 10 on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV.

Common questions