Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4 VS 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Rav4 SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Rav4 AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Rav4 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Eclipse Cross’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Rav4’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Rav4 and the Eclipse Cross have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Rav4 is much safer than the Eclipse Cross:

	Rav4	Eclipse Cross
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	120	155
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.71 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	2.28 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1093 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.94 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	290 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD

The Rav4’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Eclipse Cross’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4’s reliability 18 points higher than the Eclipse Cross.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 22 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mitsubishi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 94 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 30th.

The Rav4’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (226 vs. 152) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 84 more horsepower (236 vs. 152) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 172 more horsepower (324 vs. 152) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	Rav4	Rav4	Eclipse Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	5 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	13.7 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	100.7 MPH	78.9 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Eclipse Cross:

			MPG
Rav4
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	47 city/40 hwy
	AWD	LE/SE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/39 hwy
		XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	45 city/38 hwy
		XSE/Limited 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/37 hwy
		SE/XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/36 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/35 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/34 hwy
		GR Sport 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/33 hwy
Eclipse Cross
	AWD	ES 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/26 hwy

The Rav4 can travel with zero emissions for 49 to 54 miles (dependent on model). The Eclipse Cross can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Rav4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Rav4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Rav4 higher (6 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2). This means the Rav4 produces up to 27.7 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Eclipse Cross every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Rav4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Eclipse Cross:

	Rav4	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid	Eclipse Cross
Front Rotors	12 inches	12.9 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	12.4 inches	11.9 inches

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Eclipse Cross are solid, not vented.

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Eclipse Cross:

	Rav4	Eclipse Cross
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the Eclipse Cross (235/65R17 vs. 215/70R16). The Rav4 LE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Eclipse Cross (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

The Rav4 LE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Eclipse Cross ES’ standard 70 series tires. The Rav4 XSE’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Eclipse Cross ES. The Rav4 XSE’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Eclipse Cross.

The Rav4 GR Sport handles at .83 G’s, while the Eclipse Cross SE pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Rav4 GR Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Eclipse Cross SEL (26.2 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Rav4 has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Eclipse Cross (101.3 vs. 96.7).

The Rav4 has .1 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Eclipse Cross.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 23.4 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Eclipse Cross with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Eclipse Cross’ (1750 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is only 1500 pounds. The Rav4 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

When two different drivers share the Rav4 XSE/Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4 XSE/Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Rav4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Eclipse Cross has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Eclipse Cross have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Eclipse Cross prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Eclipse Cross’ standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Eclipse Cross can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4’s power locks have a lockout prevention feature. When the key is in the ignition or smart key is in the passenger compartment and the driver’s door is open, the locks unlock every time you lock them. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t provide lockout prevention.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Rav4’s standard doors lock when the transmission is engaged. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

The Rav4 has a standard Smart Key System that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Only the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition offers FAST-Key.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Eclipse Cross only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Rav4 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Eclipse Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/SEL.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 XSE/Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Rav4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL/Black Edition.

Both the Rav4 and the Eclipse Cross offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Rav4 Woodland/XLE/XSE/GR Sport/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console for up to two separate devices. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Rav4 Woodland/XSE Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Rav4 (except LE/SE/XLE)’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Rav4 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Rav4 retains 69.74% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 49.95% resale value of the 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $4433 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Rav4 first among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Eclipse Cross isn’t in the top three.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by over 27 to one during 2025.