Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV vs Subaru Forester
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 17 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$47,790RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV & Subaru Forester
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Price Breakdown
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV starts from $47,790 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $45,990. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $1,800.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $52,569 and $50,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV by roughly $9,820 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
None open on our record
Subaru Forester
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-001604 · published 2 Jun 2021The rear stabiliser bracket bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2020
- REC-001224 · published 3 Dec 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 8 more on the model page.
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
13.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 22kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 22kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV uses a 2.4L D4 MPI VVT (IN) producing 94kW and 199Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.7 seconds.
The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 94kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV measures 4,545mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 110mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 359L in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 137L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $288/year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $1,964 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV.
Warranty: 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru Forester).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 76, but the Subaru Forester is $1,800 cheaper
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 76), taking 1 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ahead by 35), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 29), value (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ahead by 14). The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV will save you roughly $1,964 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV by $1,800.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV uses the least fuel at 1.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Forester holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Forester has the largest boot at 496L with the seats up (1,174L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Forester has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Forester makes the most power at 136kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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