2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs 2025 Subaru Forester

$27,345 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 showdown between the spirited Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and the rugged Subaru Forester pits practicality against flair. The Eclipse Cross bursts onto the scene with an accessible starting MSRP of $27,345, tempting budget-conscious buyers, despite offering only 152 hp and achieving 26 combined MPG. Conversely, the Forester enters with a more robust 180 hp, immediately signaling stronger cruising power, while boasting superior efficiency at 29 combined MPG. The Forester's generous 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity vastly outweighs the Eclipse Cross’s 23.4 cu ft, making it the more accommodating choice for hauling gear. While both utilize standard All-Wheel Drive, the Forester's slightly larger footprint (183.3 inches long) suggests more stability, contrasting with the Eclipse Cross's relatively tight 179.0-inch length. This battle boils down to whether drivers prioritize Subaru's established capability or Mitsubishi's lower entry price.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, netting 29 combined MPG versus the Eclipse Cross's 26 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Forester is the clear family choice, offering significantly more usable space with 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Eclipse Cross's 23.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Forester

Enthusiasts will prefer the Forester, as its 180 hp output provides a noticeable performance edge over the Eclipse Cross's 152 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross wins on initial outlay, starting at an MSRP of $27,345, which undercuts the Forester by $2,650.

Choose the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross if...

You prioritize the lowest possible initial cost, with an MSRP starting at $27,345.
You frequently use regular unleaded fuel and appreciate the standard All-Wheel Drive setup.
You prefer a slightly shorter overall length (179.0 inches) for easier city parking maneuvers.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You need substantial storage space, leveraging the Forester's massive 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You desire more accessible power for highway merging, thanks to its 180 hp engine.
Fuel efficiency is paramount, as the Forester delivers a better highway rating of 33 MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross	Subaru Forester
Length	179.0"	183.3"
Width	71.1"	72.0"
Height	66.5"	68.1"
Wheelbase	105.1"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	152 hp @ 5500 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/28 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	395.0/442.4 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.8 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.2 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	53.0 in.	54.7 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	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.1 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.1 in.	56.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.0 in.	53.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/70R16	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mitsubishi	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and 2025 Subaru Forester.

Which crossover offers better long-distance fuel efficiency?

The 2025 Subaru Forester pulls ahead significantly for road trips, achieving 33 MPG on the highway compared to the Eclipse Cross's 28 MPG highway rating. While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Forester's superior 29 combined MPG overall will reduce fuel stops.

Is the power difference between the two noticeable in daily driving?

Yes, the 28 hp difference between the vehicles is substantial; the Forester produces 180 hp versus the Eclipse Cross's 152 hp. This means the Forester will feel livelier during acceleration and merging onto fast-moving traffic.

How much more cargo space does the Forester actually provide?

The Subaru Forester offers an impressive 29.6 cubic feet of cargo room, which is over 6 cubic feet more than the Eclipse Cross's 23.4 cubic feet. This capacity difference is ideal for hauling bulkier items or significant amounts of luggage.

Which vehicle is cheaper to purchase outright?

The 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross presents a lower barrier to entry with an MSRP of $27,345. This is notably lower than the 2025 Subaru Forester's starting price of $29,995.

Do both vehicles offer the same driving dynamics regarding the drivetrain?

Both models come standard with All-Wheel Drive capability and utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. However, the Forester's marginally higher weight distribution might offer a more planted feel at speed, despite the similar AWD hardware.

Are there significant differences in size that impact maneuverability?

The Eclipse Cross is slightly smaller in all dimensions, measuring 179.0 inches long versus the Forester's 183.3 inches. While both are relatively compact crossovers, the Eclipse Cross is marginally easier to tuck into tight urban parking spots.