MSRP: $20,249 - $30,149
Invoice: $19,149 - $28,535
MPG: 20 City / 28 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:7.3
Performance:7.6
Exterior:8.7
Interior:7.1
Safety:8.7
Reliability:4.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Comfortable handling dynamics
  • Freshened exterior design looks aggressive
  • Rockford Fosgate stereo system is a reviewer favorite
  • Lengthy warranty coverage
  • Doesn't offer true sports performance
  • Braking system receives mixed reviews
  • Back seat is unsuitable for passengers
  • Rearward visibility issues

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Mitsubishi Eclipse - What the Auto Press Says

Refreshed for 2009, the Eclipse offers aggressive sports car styling, but much tamer performance. It's perfect for anyone who only wants to look the part of a road ripper.

Test drivers say prospective buyers of the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse will get the look and feel of a sports car but will have to forgo power and spryness. In fact, Kelley Blue Book asserts: "If you want the lithe agility of a Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky, the aggressive dynamics of a Nissan 350Z or the raw performance of a Chevy Corvette (all two-seaters), this is not your ride. It is fun to drive, but it's no true sports car." Still, most agree that it offers a lot of sporty qualities for an affordable price.

New for 2009 are revised front and rear ends, as well as a new dual-exhaust system for the GT, which slightly increases horsepower. The GT also receives stability control and HID headlights.

The Eclipse is offered in two body styles, coupe and Spyder (convertible), as well as two trims, GS and GT.

  • "For almost two decades, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been a mainstay of the affordable sport coupe market. Originally known for its turbocharged and all-wheel-drive performance, the Eclipse has become more comfort-oriented in recent years. But thanks to available V6 power and a sporty design inside and out, the Eclipse continues to be a solid choice." -- Edmunds
  • "Not everyone in this world wants a fire-breathing, rough-riding but fun-to-drive sports car. An older crowd may seek a coupe that features a bit of a softer ride and a few more luxuries while still offering that sporty look. For those of you who fit the latter category, let us now offer up the new Eclipse." -- MarketWatch
  • "You'll like the Eclipse Coupe if you are looking for an affordable, sporty-styled, modern-looking two-door that offers a substantial level of fun-to-drive performance in a moderately-priced front-wheel-drive vehicle." -- Kelley Blue Book
  • "[I]f you don't want your car to feel old in a couple of years, Mitsubishi's futuristically retro, sporty-sounding Eclipse will keep both of you feeling young." -- Road and Track
  • "The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sporty two door, four-seat coupe with good looks and a roomy interior. It appeals to a large audience with its youthful looks and affordable price." -- AOL Autos

Eclipse Performance - 7.6 (Good)

Reviewers prefer the Eclipse GT's more powerful engine over the GS, but concede that neither offers true sports performance. "[W]hile the front-drive Eclipse will never be able to keep up with an Evo, it does boast decent handling and an optional 265-horsepower V6," writes Edmunds. "In short, the Eclipse is considerably more entertaining than the typical rental-fleet fare." Read More

Eclipse Exterior - 8.7 (Very Good)

Auto writers love the 2009 Eclipse's revised exterior design, which gives the illusion that it's more expensive and powerful than it really is. "The 2009 Eclipse gets a new nose reminiscent of the new Lancer Evolution," writes About.com. "It may not be enough to restore the Eclipse to its former glory, but it sure does look good." Read More

Eclipse Interior - 7.1 (Good)

Critics like the Eclipse's comfortable front seats and sporty interior design, but find its back seat too cramped for use. "Front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the backseat seems more for decoration than function," writes Edmunds. Also, in terms of cargo room, the coupe and Spyder differ greatly. Read More

Eclipse Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)

Though the federal government has yet to crash-test the Eclipse coupe, the Spyder receives good scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. What's more, the Eclipse features a wide array of standard safety equipment for its price. Still, auto writers complain of visibility issues from the driver's seat. Read More

Eclipse Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The '09 Mitsubishi Eclipse features a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty -- which the Sacramento Bee calls "superb." Read More

Review Last Updated: 6/4/09