Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in South Africa

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

1.5L GLS Exceed CVT 4x2 Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 620,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 13 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Exceed 1.5L CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 141 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: the short answer

Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Outlander Sport starts ZAR 85,000 cheaper Eclipse Cross from ZAR 534,990 · Outlander Sport from ZAR 449,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Eclipse Cross Outlander Sport
Maximum Power Eclipse Cross110 kW @ 5500 rpm Outlander Sport77 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Eclipse Cross250 Nm @ 3500 rpm Outlander Sport141 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size Eclipse Cross1499 cc Outlander Sport1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Eclipse Cross13 km/l Outlander Sport16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance Eclipse Cross180 mm Outlander Sport193 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Eclipse Cross

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Outlander Sport

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Eclipse Cross

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Outlander Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Eclipse Cross Outlander Sport
Model Introduced Year 2021 2025
Generation First-generation Eclipse Cross facelift First South African Outlander Sport generation, Mitsubishi Xforce architecture
Facelift History Current South African facelift specification. Introduced locally in January 2025 and replaced ASX.
Facelift Launched Since Current specification Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Compact crossover SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Passenger vehicle
Spec Eclipse Cross Outlander Sport
Length 4545 mm 4390 mm
Width 1805 mm 1810 mm
Height 1685 mm 1660 mm
Wheelbase 2670 mm 2650 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 180 mm 193 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 155 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 63 l 42 l
Boot/Cargo Space 437 l 480 l
Kerb Weight 1490 kg 1250 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2100 kg 1730 kg
Payload Capacity 610 kg 480 kg
Towing Capacity 1600 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.3 m 5.2 m
Front Headroom 1003 mm 950 mm
Rear Headroom 932 mm 880 mm
Front Legroom 1039 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 943 mm 370 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Eclipse Cross 52 vs Outlander Sport 30.

Efficiency index: Eclipse Cross 51 vs Outlander Sport 62.

Safety-equipment index: Eclipse Cross 76 vs Outlander Sport 73.

Practicality index: Eclipse Cross 64 vs Outlander Sport 67.

Ownership-cover index: Eclipse Cross not separately scored vs Outlander Sport not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Eclipse Cross leads by 4 points

Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 83% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

Eclipse Cross

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 76 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 52
Efficiency 51
Safety 76
Practicality 64
Leads by 4 points
57
#2

Outlander Sport

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 73 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 62
Safety 73
Practicality 67
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Eclipse Cross +22 Efficiency Outlander Sport +11 Safety Eclipse Cross +3 Practicality Outlander Sport +3

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Eclipse Cross

Performance 52/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 76/100
Practicality 64/100

Outlander Sport

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 73/100
Practicality 67/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 57 pts for Outlander Sport

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Eclipse Cross leads. However, Outlander Sport may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Eclipse Cross vs Outlander Sport questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.