Overview & Reviews

For nearly 20 years, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been one of America's more popular sport coupes. Reasons for its success include sleek styling, powerful engines, a decent amount of comfort and affordability. As these traits also describe traditional domestic rear-drive sport coupes, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been called the Japanese version of a pony car. And like those seeming influences, the Eclipse is known more for its straight-line performance than outright cornering prowess. The Eclipse has also always been designed solely for the U.S. market and is a rarity in other parts of the world.

The original Eclipse was the result of a joint venture started in the mid-'80s between Mitsubishi and Chrysler, known as Diamond Star Motors (DSM). For model-year 1990, at a plant in central Illinois, the Diamond Star triplets bowed -- similar versions of the same Mitsubishi-engineered car, including the Eclipse, the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser. With the subsequent demise of the Eagle and Plymouth brands, only the Eclipse remains in production.

In total, there have been four generations of the Eclipse. Measured in terms of all-around performance and design, the latest one is certainly no slouch. But an earlier Eclipse, assuming it has been cared for properly, would make an affordable and enjoyable purchase for the budding sport coupe enthusiast.

Current Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi's sport coupe is offered in base GS, GS Sport, the sporty-looking SE and more athletic GT trim levels. All are front-wheel drive and share their basic platform with the Galant sedan. The base level Mitsubishi Eclipse GS is reasonably well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning and full power features along with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 162 horsepower. The GS Sport uses the same drivetrain, but adds many of the GT's styling elements and extra features like heated leather front seats and a power driver seat. The SE essentially gets some special wheels and styling elements. In addition to its burly 265-hp, 3.8-liter V6, the GT has a sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes. Stability control is standard across the entire line.

The GS comes with a five-speed manual, while a four-speed automatic transmission with a sequential-shift Sportronic mode is available as an option. The GS Sport has the automatic as standard. The GT is only available with a five-speed Sportronic automatic.

In reviews, the Mitsubishi Eclipse earned favorable commentary for its powerful V6 engine, comfortable front seating and stylish interior. Noted downsides include a hefty curb weight that dulls handling, sluggish acceleration on four-cylinder models, subpar V6 fuel economy, a large turning radius and mediocre interior construction.

Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Models
The latest generation of the Mitsubishi Eclipse debuted for the 2006 model year. There were initially four trim levels: GS, SE, SE-V6 and GT. Not much changed until 2009, when the SE trims were dropped, stability control was added for the GT (and later became standard for all Eclipses for 2010), and the car received a mild face-lift that included a more aggressive, Lancer Evo-like front fascia. The SE returned for 2012.

A six-speed manual was standard on the GT until 2011, but otherwise, powertrains are the same as the current Eclipse line. The GS Sport arrived for 2010 and for '11, 18-inch alloy wheels became standard for the base GS, the GS Sport received heated leather front seats and a power driver seat. That year saw blacked-out roofs on all Eclipses.

Many consumers shopping for a used Mitsubishi Eclipse will likely encounter the previous, third-generation model, which was sold from 2000-'05. It has a hatchback body style, front-wheel drive and four-cylinder or V6 power. It's smaller and less refined than the generation that succeeded it. The RS and GS trims of this generation were powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 154 hp. The GT had a smooth-revving 205-hp 3.0-liter V6. All could be had with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Although this Eclipse was fairly popular with consumers, it attracted little critical acclaim. In Edmunds.com tests, editors noted that the Eclipse was not as sporting as previous versions and had a low-quality interior. Nor did the car change much during its run, though in 2003 Mitsubishi added a GTS trim that had a slightly more powerful V6 (210 hp) and more standard equipment.

When new, the first- and second-generation Eclipses were considered some of the best affordable sport coupes available. The original debuted in 1990. This Eclipse was also a hatchback, and these early models can be identified by their pop-up headlights. There were four different trim levels, each offering its own mix of powertrains. The top-of-the line model was the desirable Eclipse GSX, which boasted a 195-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. In 1992, minor updates were made, including the addition of fixed headlights.

Compared to the foreshortened, almost stubby first Mitsubishi Eclipse, the second generation (1995-'99) seemed long, sleek and gorgeous. It was a bit bigger than the earlier car but in many ways very similar mechanically. As before, normally aspirated or turbocharged engines were offered, and AWD was available on turbocharged models. The first- and second-generation turbocharged engines were already quite powerful in factory trim, but extensive aftermarket support enabled tuners to boost power output considerably.

With any of these early models, poor resale values translate into very attractive purchase prices. But reliability has never been a strong point for the Eclipse, and finding a well-maintained one (especially a turbocharged model) that hasn't been modified and/or abused is imperative for the smart shopper.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car, but weak - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ipeechmango - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive loved the car since ive had it, but a couple weeks ago I got into an accident going no more than 35 probably, and its totaled. Weakly built. And it was a hard impact, the airbags didnt go off.

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  Good car overall - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ashums - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my maroon Eclipse GS for almost a year. Ive had only minor problems with it. The check engine light came on which had to do with recalled spark plugs, etc. My door handle also broke off, which was kinda pricey, but oh well. Im 21 so this is the perfect college car for me. Its great for the city, and has some pep on the highway. I only wish it had a little more hp and a larger engine, preferably a V6.

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  The flaws are starting to show... - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By JBB - July 24 - 2:00 am

  For long-haul highway driving, it is surprisingly comfortable, handles well, and still looks pretty good. The Tampa Blue – coke bottle green, really – stands out. Interior is very comfortable...for a sporty coupe. Mileage is fine, nothing special. Trunk release latch has never worked well, and the aluminum wheels are made from inferior materials: BIG problem, at $350-400/per.

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  2006 Eclipse GT - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MK - May 19 - 8:43 am

  We have currently put 12,000 miles on our Eclipse GT. Its fun to drive, handles well (even on the icy roads), and accelerates nicely. The front seats in the GT are extremely comfortable for people of an average size, though can be restricting for larger people. The standard heated leather in the GT (front only) is wonderful for the cold weather. I wont even mention the rear seating - its a joke really, even with the front seats pushed far forward there is no leg room for anyone in the back. Dont consider this vehicle if you plan on having more than one passenger very often.

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  Impressive - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Kleo - April 4 - 10:00 am

  The elclipse looks great inside and out!! I find it to be loud and not enough space in the back seat. I fear the car will not hold up like a Honda or Toyota but Im hoping Im wrong. Over all I think it is a very nice sports car and I love the looks I receive when driving it. Its cool to see others driving one. I do feel the car should have more colors. I purchased the silver one and everyone seems to have the same color.

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  02 GS, automanual, sun and sound - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kdavis - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This car cant make up its mind if it wants to be sporty or comfortable.

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  06 Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By J - March 6 - 11:50 am

  The 2006 Eclipse is a beautiful car inside and out. For a 4-cyl. car it is suprisingly peppy and has quick acceleration. The sun and sound package is a necessity with the GS putting out an impressive 650 watts. I am very pleased with the car overall and feel that it will give the compitition a run for its money.

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  2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Reid - February 26 - 10:26 am

  I been driving my 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for nearly a year and a half. It has just resently been wrecked and it held up well though the accident, the air bags saved me a lot of pain. This model holds tight to the road and has great control.

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  Excellent Value, Very Reliable - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By EclipseOwnerJPB - February 11 - 11:26 am

  I bought a used, year-old Eclipse GS and have been extremely pleased with it. The interior is very comfortable and gives you that sports-car feel. It is great in the snow, handles very well and has been very reliable. For a sports car it gets good mileage.

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  Eclipse reborn - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Alejandro - January 26 - 6:46 pm

  The new Eclipse has been reborn and it brought the fun back. It has been improved for the better. It provides good control, good response, and has a nice design. The automatic transmision responds well as the does the manual. The 263 horsepower makes this almost as pleasant as the Mitsubishi Evolution. It has really comfortable seats and more interior space.