Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV vs Subaru Outback
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.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
From $47,790
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
94kW
1.9 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
359L
Subaru Outback
From $48,990
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
137kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
530L
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV starts from $47,790 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Outback opens at $48,990. That makes the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV the more affordable entry point by $1,200.
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 $53,889 respectively.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Subaru Outback, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV by roughly $9,795 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.
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 Outback gets a 12.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Outback. The Subaru Outback counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV gets cloth upholstery while the Subaru Outback offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV uses a Petrol 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 Outback responds with a Petrol making 137kW and 254Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Outback has the clear power advantage at 137kW 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, 335mm shorter than the Subaru Outback at 4,880mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Outback generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 359L in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and 530L in the Subaru Outback, giving the Subaru Outback a 171L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Outback leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg 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 11.1m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m 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 $350/year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and $2,309/year for the Subaru Outback. That is a $1,959 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV.
Estimated annual total: $350 (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV) vs $2,309 (Subaru Outback). The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV saves you roughly $1,959 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Outback). The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Outback if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and Subaru Outback trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV will save you roughly $1,959 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Outback 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 Outback?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV is the cheapest at $47,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Outback by $1,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV uses the least fuel at 1.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Subaru Outback all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Outback has the largest boot at 530L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Outback has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
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 Outback makes the most power at 137kW.
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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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