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Mitsubishi Eclipse

EPA MPG: 23 mpg
Average Retail Price
$3,050

RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

The Eclipse is eclipsed where it counts the most – in the fun to drive department. And still, it suffers from the traditional tradeoffs many sporting-oriented coupes make: stiff ride, poor visibility, cramped rear seat and awkward access. The V6 powertrain is spirited and polished, but the clutch requires a long reach. Handling is more ordinary than sporty. The rear hatch adds versatility.

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2002 Sports cars & Convertibles Reliability

No Data Available

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

2002 Sports cars 4/5-seat Ratings

$3,050
economy-icon
EPA MPG 23 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$4,325 - $6,500
economy-icon
EPA MPG 23 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$3,475 - $4,650
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$3,625 - $8,050
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$3,475 - $5,225
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
Features & Specs
Body Style
    2-door hatchback
    convertible
Seating
2 front, 2 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Engines Available
  • 2.4-liter 4 (147 hp)
  • 3-liter V6 (200 hp)
  • 3-liter V6 (210 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed manual
  • 4-speed automatic
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Model History
2006-
Current Generation
While we found the first generation Eclipse to be less than fun to drive, the 2006 redesign eroded any sporting credentials to which the model may have clung. Although the V6 was stronger and quieter than the lackluster four-cylinder, handling lacked agility and the car wasn't fun to drive. A flawed driving position, poor outward visibility, and virtually unusable rear seats were other detriments. Super-long doors make access difficult and the convertible roof creates giant blind spots when it is raised. The Eclipse's last model year was 2012.
2000-2005
2000 Redesign Year
The handsome and sporty-looking Mitsubishi Eclipse was available in a range of performance levels, plus a front-wheel drive convertible. In our testing, we found the coupe was not really fun to drive, though it had all of the faults of a sporty car, including a stiff ride, poor visibility, a cramped rear seat and awkward access.