2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Comparison Overview
Choosing between a small truck like the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and a compact crossover like the 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross often boils down to balancing utility against efficiency and maneuverability. If you need a bit more punch for merging onto the highway, the Santa Cruz boasts a respectable 191 horsepower, significantly outpacing the Eclipse Cross's 152 horsepower. However, the Eclipse Cross nudges ahead in efficiency, achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 25 combined MPG, partly due to its lighter 279.0-inch length compared to the Santa Cruz's 195.7 inches. While the Santa Cruz starts higher at $28,750 versus the Eclipse Cross's $27,695, both offer accessible pricing. The biggest functional difference is the Santa Cruz's open bed versus the Eclipse Cross's enclosed space, making payload and weather protection key deciding factors for buyers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Eclipse Cross offers slightly better fuel economy at 26 combined MPG and is smaller overall, making daily driving and parking easier.
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Eclipse Cross provides secure, enclosed cargo space of 23.4 cu ft, which is generally safer for family belongings than an open truck bed.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz offers significantly more power with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, providing a more engaging drive.
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Eclipse Cross is $1,055 cheaper, achieves better fuel economy, and includes All-Wheel Drive standard.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You frequently need an open bed for hauling items that won't fit in a traditional SUV cargo area.
- You desire more outright power, as its 191 horsepower is substantially higher than Car 2's 152 hp.
- You prefer a traditional geared transmission (8-speed automatic) over a CVT found in Car 2.
Choose the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross if...
- Maneuverability in tight city spots is important due to its shorter 179.0-inch length.
- All-Wheel Drive capability is a necessity for adverse weather conditions.
- You prioritize maximizing enclosed, protected storage, featuring 23.4 cu ft of capacity.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7" | 179.0" |
| Width | 75.0" | 71.1" |
| Height | 66.7" | 66.5" |
| Wheelbase | 118.3" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 152 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/30 MPG | 25/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 389.4/531.0 mi. | 395.0/442.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 40.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 53.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 37.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 37.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.1 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 52.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 245/60R18 | 215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
How does the 2025 Santa Cruz handle fuel costs compared to the 2026 Eclipse Cross?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is slightly more economical, achieving 26 combined MPG, whereas the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers 25 combined MPG. Both vehicles utilize regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs relatively similar for standard driving.
Which vehicle is better suited for light truck duties?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the clear choice here since it is technically a Sport Adventure Vehicle with an open bed, allowing for hauling items like mulch or bikes that are cumbersome for an SUV. The Eclipse Cross only offers 23.4 cu ft of enclosed crossover storage.
Is the power difference between these two vehicles noticeable during highway driving?
Yes, the 39 horsepower difference should be noticeable; the Santa Cruz delivers 191 hp versus the Eclipse Cross’s 152 hp. This translates to easier merging and passing power for the Santa Cruz.
Why does the less expensive Eclipse Cross come standard with AWD while the Santa Cruz starts with FWD?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross includes All-Wheel Drive standard, appealing to buyers prioritizing traction in various conditions. The base 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz uses a front-wheel-drive setup, though AWD is likely available on higher trims.
How much longer is the Hyundai Santa Cruz than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz measures 195.7 inches long, making it 6.7 inches longer than the 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which has a length of 179.0 inches. This extra length contributes to its different body style and utility focus.
Are the engine torque figures similar since their MSRPs are close?
The torque figures are close, but the Santa Cruz leads slightly with 181 lb-ft compared to the Eclipse Cross’s 184 lb-ft. Despite having less horsepower, the Eclipse Cross manages to achieve slightly higher torque figures.
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