2012 marks the end of an era for the Eclipse and Mitsubishi sends the sporty little car off in style. As affordable sports cars go, the Eclipse has served its segment well with stylish looks, respectable performance, and a reasonably gentle hit to the wallet.
Key Features
Standards include A/C, keyless entry, power everything, a 6-speaker stereo system with auxiliary input jack, tilt steering and more. The GS Sport adds a sunroof, heated power mirrors, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, a six-way power driver’s seat, steering wheel controls and a 9-speaker stereo system.
Changes for 2012
Mitsubishi made the finale special for the little coupe with a special edition (SE) that incudes some cosmetic flourishes like smoked alloy wheels and black mirrors. The Eclipse is available in the base GS, GS Sport, GT, or SE.
What We Like
The Eclipse has boasted visually pleasing exterior style from the very beginning. This model’s swooping lines, flared fenders, and 18” standard wheels are bound to attract second looks. The optional Rockford Fosgate audio system offers an explosive 650 watts of sound and the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty is one of the most benevolent in the business.
What Concerns Us
While the front bucket seats cradle the occupants pleasantly, the rear is cramped to say the least. The engines, even in the available GT variant, don’t offer the kind of performance that true sports-car aficionados are after, with the most powerful option sitting at just 265 HP. For the price point there are competitors that offer more power under the hood, like the Chevy Camaro or Mazda Miata.
Available Models
The GS, GS Sport, and SE are available in a 2.4L 4-cylinder 4-speed automatic (with the GS also available in a 5-speed manual) with 162 lb.-ft. torque, 162 HP, 20/28 mpg in the coupe and 20/27 mpg in the Spyder.
The GT comes with a 3.8L V6 5-speed automatic offering 262 lb.-ft. of torque, 265 HP, 17/25 mpg in the coupe and 16/24 mpg for the Spyder.
Major Recalls
There is no recall information available for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Most Common Issues
While complaints on this model are rare, there is one report registered with the NHTSA regarding a collision with a deer in which the airbags did not deploy, despite the vehicle traveling at 55mph at the time of the crash.
