The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse ranks 7 out of 8 Affordable Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 56 published reviews and test drives of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is tamer than it looks — perfect for anyone who would rather look the part of a driving enthusiast than have to deal with the rough ride of a serious sports car.”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
The Eclipse is a lot of great things, but definitely not road burner — which doesn’t seem to faze a lot of critics. “Not everyone in this world wants a fire-breathing, rough-riding but fun-to-drive sports car,” writes MarketWatch. “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.”
Revised in 2009, the Eclipse carries into the 2010 model year unchanged. While strong points include an aggressive-looking exterior design and sporty interior cabin, critics complain of visibility issues, a cramped backseat and lacking cargo room in the convertible.* “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
If you’re in the market for a four-passenger affordable sports car that packs more punch, test-drive the Mazda RX-8. Its racy handling dynamics will leave you floored.The Eclipse is offered in two body styles, coupe and Spyder (convertible), as well as two trims, GS and GT.”[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
Auto writers agree that the Eclipse is a comfortable daily driver with a sporty edge. Still, for real sports performance, critics suggest you look elsewhere.The 2010 Eclipse is available with two engine options. The GS features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 162 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Test drivers, however, prefer the GT’s 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 265 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. While drivers can choose between five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions for the GS, the GT offers a choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.
According to the EPA, the Eclipse trim level with the highest city/highway fuel efficiency is the manual GS, with 20/28 mpg. The lowest is the automatic GT, with 16/24 mpg.Test drivers find that the Eclipse offers sporty — not sports car — handling and is comfortable enough to use as a daily driver. Its brakes, however, receive mixed reviews. Among other modern performance technology, the 2010 Eclipse features an Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control and Active Stability Control
