Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV Gallery

It shares some mechanical attributes with the Mitsubishi Outlander...

...but has a far more rakish exterior design

Though not intended as a serious off-roader, four-wheel drive is available...

...and includes a clever system to distribute power and braking forces between the front and rear wheels

The Eclipse Cross has enough grip to hang on gamely in sharp corners....

...the steering isn't the most responsive, though, and feels a little vague

The suspension's sporty feel comes at a slight cost to passenger comfort, too.

Sharply styled headlamps are an important part of the Eclipse Cross identity

All initial UK cars are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine – 161bhp is plenty of power. 

A 2.2-litre diesel engine will follow soon after the UK launch

A hybrid system is also expected to appear later, bringing reduced CO2 emissions ratings as well as lower fuel consumption

The Eclipse Cross has what is the best looking dashboard yet seen in a Mitsubishi sold in the UK

Instruments comprise an analogue speedometer and rev counter, with an LCD screen for other info.

Its design is attractive and the materials it's built from are tactile and seem robust.

Petrol models have a CVT automatic gearbox when four-wheel drive is fitted

Steering wheel control buttons activate features such as active cruise control...

...and allows easy access to infotainment and communications features

An additional touch-pad is positioned between the front seats that prevents you from leaning forward to use the touchscreen

A big central control button changes the settings of the four-wheel drive system

A seven-inch touchscreen is standard on the Eclipse Cross, though sat nav won't appear on all trim levels

The sunroof doesn't impede badly on headroom, front or rear...

...but passengers in the back seat may find that the the curving roofline does.

Bootspace can be expanded by sliding the rear bench seat forwards, but it never matches the Nissan Qashqai