Compare the2026 Kia SportageVS 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sportage’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Sportage and Eclipse Cross offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Eclipse Cross’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Sportage’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sportage and the Eclipse Cross have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Sportage is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.5%	38.7%
Neck Stress	263 lbs.	424 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	33 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	48/154 lbs.	184/324 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30.9%	39.7%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	182 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	292/203 lbs.	331/198 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sportage is much safer than the Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Sportage is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	145
Hip Force	247 lbs.	292 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	162
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	270	358
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	480 lbs.	622 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage is much safer than the Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	155
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	2.28 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	116	166
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Sportage is 1.6% less likely to roll over than the Eclipse Cross.

The Kia Sportage has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Eclipse Cross is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 22 points higher than the Eclipse Cross.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (187 vs. 152) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Sportage is faster than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	9.3 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.9 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.1 MPH	78.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage gets better mileage than the Eclipse Cross:

			MPG
Sportage
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Eclipse Cross
	AWD	ES 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/26 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage higher (6 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (4). This means the Sportage produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Eclipse Cross every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Sportage’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.6 inches

The Sportage stops shorter than the Eclipse Cross:

	Sportage	Eclipse Cross
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage has larger tires than the Eclipse Cross (235/65R17 vs. 215/70R16). The Sportage LX/X-Pro Prestige’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Eclipse Cross (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

The Sportage LX/X-Pro Prestige’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Eclipse Cross ES’ standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage LX/X-Pro Prestige has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Eclipse Cross ES. The Sportage SX Prestige/X-Line’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL.

Suspension and Handling

The Sportage has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Eclipse Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the Eclipse Cross (108.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Eclipse Cross.

The Sportage X-Pro Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Eclipse Cross SE pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sportage AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Eclipse Cross SEL (27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Sportage uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Sportage has 5.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Eclipse Cross (102 vs. 96.7).

The Sportage has .1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.4 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Eclipse Cross.

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 23.4 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

Towing

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Eclipse Cross’ (2500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Sportage (except LX/EX), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage (except LX/EX)’s standard Easy Access Function glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Eclipse Cross has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Sportage and the Eclipse Cross have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Eclipse Cross prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Sportage’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Eclipse Cross can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sportage’s power locks have a lockout prevention feature. When the key is in the passenger compartment and the driver’s door is open, the locks unlock every time you lock them. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t provide lockout prevention.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Sportage’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

The Sportage has a standard Smart Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL offers FAST-Key.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sportage has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Eclipse Cross only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Sportage has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Eclipse Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/SEL.

When the Sportage with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Eclipse Cross’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Sportage and the Eclipse Cross offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia Sportage’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Sportage is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Kia Sportage retains 52.85% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 49.95% resale value of the 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross isn't recommended.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by almost 13 to one during 2024.

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