2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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Rating7.3

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Hatchback
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$19,499 - $32,599
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Potent V6 motor

Limited outward visibility

No major changes except for a new package

Brisk acceleration from the V6 engine

Cramped rear row

Interior with comfy front seats

Dated design

Base models are too slow and are boring to drive

Specs & Features

$20,499

price

162 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

162 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

4-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.4L 4cyl FWD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Hatchback is a compact hatchback offered in 4 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $15,695. For that price, it indirectly competes with the more powerful rivals from the midsize coupe segment like Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Ford Mustang, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Between the 4 trims, the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Hatchback offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.4L Inline-4 engine making 162 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 265 horsepower-making 3.8L V6 engine. The inline 4 engine comes mated with a 5-speed manual transmission and gets a 4-speed automatic as optional. On the other hand, the 3.8L offers a 5-speed automatic transmission as standard. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Hatchback reaches 60 mph from zero in 9.3 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 6.9 seconds with the V6 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Hatchback can manage a combined fuel economy between 20 and 23 mpg. While we’re on the topic of choices, the 6 striking colors the Mitsubishi Eclipse Hatchback comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The base trim levels with the 4-cylinder engine are too boring for daily commutes. Therefore, we highly recommend the GT trim. It comes with a V6 engine and all the features you could need. It additionally comes with essential stuff like a sport tuned suspension, automatic climate control, etc.

Trims

    GS
    $19,499 onwards
    • 18-way power front seats with four-way lumbar
    • Ten-inch Touch Pro infotainment display
    GS-Sport
    $24,699 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    SE
    $24,699 onwards
    • 18-inch painted aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM/Satellite
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Parking assist
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    GT
    $29,089 onwards
    • Front automatic air conditioning

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,499- $32,599

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.27

Horsepower

265 hp @ 5750 rpm

Torque

262 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$18,575- $21,905

Gasoline

7.79

180 hp @ 6000 rpm

173 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,995- $31,695

Gasoline

7.81

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,995- $29,545

Gasoline

8.57

170 hp @ 5700 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    SourceCompare
    8.7 sec16.6 sec
    7.4 sec14.7 sec
    7.7 sec15.8 sec
    2012 Scion TC

    Ranked #3

    7.9 sec16.0 sec

    2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg17.7 gal.354/495.6 mi.
      2012 Scion TC

      Ranked #1

      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/449.5 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/478.5 mi.
      21 mpg31 mpg25 mpg14.5 gal.304.5/449.5 mi.

      2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        180.4 in.72.2 in.53.2 in.5.7 in.101.4 in.
        2012 Scion TC

        Ranked #2

        174 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6.3 in.106.3 in.
        165.8 in.70 in.57.8 in.5 in.101.5 in.

        2012 Volkswagen Golf R

        Ranked #3

        165.8 in.70 in.57.5 in.5 in.101.5 in.
        165.4 in.70.3 in.58.3 in.5.4 in.101.5 in.

        2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.7 cu.ft.81.6 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.
          15 cu.ft.93 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.93.5 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.
          2012 Scion TC

          Ranked #2

          14.7 cu.ft.88.4 cu.ft.34.5 cu.ft.

          2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            29.6 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.50 ft.
            2012 Scion TC

            Ranked #2

            34.5 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.34.5 cu.ft.-
            46 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.-
            46 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -3272 lbs.
              1076 lbs.3034 lbs.
              2012 Scion TC

              Ranked #1

              -3060 lbs.
              1078 lbs.2968 lbs.

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              Horsepower : 66 hp

              MPG Combined : 113 mpg

              0-60 : 14 sec

              #1

              2012 Mitsubishi Outlander

              Horsepower : 168 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 9.1 sec

              #2

              2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse

              Horsepower : 162 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 8.7 sec

              #3

              2012 Mitsubishi Galant

              Horsepower : 160 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 9.8 sec

              #4

              2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

              Horsepower : 152 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

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