Compare the2026 Mazda CX-30VS 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium has standard Rear Smart Brake Support that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-30 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing on the Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Eclipse Cross’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The CX-30’s 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 CX-30 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, all wheel drive, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30	Eclipse Cross
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	148	248
Neck Injury Risk	26.7%	38.7%
Neck Stress	216 lbs.	424 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	33 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/172 lbs.	184/324 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	215
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33.5%	39.7%
Neck Stress	172 lbs.	182 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-30 is much safer than the Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30	Eclipse Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30	Eclipse Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	145
Hip Force	239 lbs.	292 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	121	162
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	161	358
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	44 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-30 is much safer than the Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30	Eclipse Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	89	155
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Torso Max Deflection	1.54 in	2.28 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	144	166
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.94 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.71 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	11 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	379 lbs.	602 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CX-30 is 3% to 3.8% less likely to roll over than the Eclipse Cross.

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Eclipse Cross is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The CX-30’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Eclipse Cross’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 71 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-30’s warranty.

Reliability

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 CX-30’s reliability 19 points higher than the Eclipse Cross.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 95 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 30th.

Engine

The CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (186 vs. 152) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 184) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 98 more horsepower (250 vs. 152) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 184) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 is faster than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30 4 cyl.	CX-30 turbo 4 cyl.	Eclipse Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	6.8 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	15.1 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.3 MPH	91.4 MPH	78.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-30 gets better mileage than the Eclipse Cross:

			MPG
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
Eclipse Cross
	AWD	ES 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/26 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Environmental Friendliness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Mazda CX-30 as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-30 stops much shorter than the Eclipse Cross:

	CX-30	Eclipse Cross
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The CX-30 2.5 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.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-30 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-30 2.5 S Premium handles at .84 G’s, while the Eclipse Cross SE pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-30 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Eclipse Cross SEL (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The CX-30 is 6 inches shorter than the Eclipse Cross, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The CX-30 has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Eclipse Cross.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CX-30’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 CX-30 and the Eclipse Cross have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CX-30 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 CX-30’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.

On a hot day the CX-30’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Eclipse Cross can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-30’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 power locks won’t lock. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t provide lockout prevention.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The CX-30’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. 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 CX-30 has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL offers FAST-Key.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-30 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 CX-30 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Eclipse Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/SEL.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Eclipse Cross’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CX-30’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Eclipse Cross offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the CX-30 and the Eclipse Cross offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium 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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Mazda CX-30’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-30 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Eclipse Cross doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Mazda CX-30 retains 60.49% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 49.95% resale value of the 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $3331.382104 in depreciation.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by almost 8 to one during 2024.

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