2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

Though the Eclipse coupe has not yet been crash-tested by the federal government or insurance industry, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2009 Spyder the highest rating of "Good" in both frontal offset and side impact crash tests. What's more, all models feature a wide range of standard safety equipment -- including front airbags and front/rear crumple zones. Still, reviewers complain of hampered rearward visibility.

• "[W]e have to give Mitsubishi credit for loading up the Eclipse with an impressive amount of safety features for a car that starts around $20,000." -- Detroit News
• "The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse offers quite a bit of standard protection, at least for those riding in the front seat. Both trim levels come with antilock brakes, front seat-mounted airbags and side curtain airbags. Open head restraints protect front occupants, but are absent in the rear. Stability control comes standard on the GT but is not available on the GS." -- Edmunds
• "[B]e careful: The low, thick-pillared convertible top leaves substantial blind spots to the rear quarters." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Visibility aft and over the shoulder in coupes seriously compromised by thick roof pillars, rake of rear glass." -- Consumer Guide
• "A point that falls into the "ball-drop" column is the odd rearward placement of the side mirrors. From the driver's perch, sharp lateral glances are necessary to observe the usual riffraff scuttling along next to you." -- Motor Trend