2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross v Peugeot 2008

By Alex Forrest

With 26 different models to choose from, the market for small, affordable SUVs is broad. It’s a category that’s highly competitive for manufacturers and often bewildering for buyers.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a solid seller, sitting at ninth out of 26 different models in the small SUV class in the first 11 months of 2021, while the lesser-known Peugeot 2008 was at 19th.

While they have their differences, these two seemingly disparate small SUVs do have some commonalities. Both the Eclipse Cross and the 2008 are powered by small, turbocharged petrol engines, they both stand out in the crowd, and both are often overlooked by buyers.

In a very price-sensitive segment such as this, many buyers are conservative with their choices and cars like these often don’t even make the initial shopping list.

So, should these slightly less common baby SUVs be getting on more shopping lists? Let’s find out.

Value for money

For variants that are roughly comparable on equipment levels, you’ll be looking at $43,710 for the Peugeot 2008 GT and $37,490 for the Eclipse Cross Aspire.

Both get cruise control, but only the Mitsubishi gets it with stop-and-go functionality (meaning if traffic ahead slows to a stop, the adaptive cruise will automatically bring the car to a stop, and then go again when safe).

There are similar finishing materials inside, with both the Eclipse Cross Alure and the 2008 GT getting seats with some leather-like “I can’t believe it’s not leather” coverings. Elsewhere in the cabin, such as the quality of the centre console and door coverings, the Peugeot has the edge.

But the Mitsubishi’s sound system gets more speakers – eight compared to the Peugeot’s six. On equipment alone, it’s a win to the Mitsubishi here.

On the road

If you thought the four-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbo in the Eclipse Cross was small for an SUV, then the Peugeot’s three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbo takes it a step further.

However, the Peugeot is also a significantly lighter vehicle, with a kerb weight of 1247kg against the Mitsubishi’s 1499kg. Both these vehicles are sprightly in traffic and on dry roads, grip wasn’t an issue.

What does take some getting used to is the small and very low-set steering wheel of the Peugeot. This has been a design feature on Peugeots for the last 10 years and while it’s always odd when we get back in one, it doesn’t take long to adjust.

Both are pretty nimble, but the lighter Peugeot is a little more agile, despite its slightly less sporty tyre sizes.

Safety and Practicality

Both the Peugeot and the Mitsubishi have 5-star ANCAP Safety ratings, however there are some differences between the two.

The Peugeot has a rather advanced AEB system which can detect pedestrians and cyclists in low light situations. It can also detect when a driver is about to make a dangerous lane change and steer away from the approaching car, even if the indicator is on.

Rear cross traffic alert, the excellent safety tech which detects cross traffic in the path of a reversing vehicle, is available in the Mitsubishi, but not in the Peugeot.

Mitsubishi gives Eclipse Cross Aspire owners an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, but that’s optional in the Peugeot.

Verdict

There’s no doubt that the Peugeot 2008 is the more premium of these two. It has higher quality finishes inside and a more striking and sophisticated exterior design.

However, with the Eclipse Cross’s more affordable price and better overall equipment levels, we’d recommend this as the better value vehicle, even though it doesn’t have the same levels of stylistic flair of the Peugeot.

But if you really want an unusual small SUV with some cool European design and are prepared to pay for it, the Peugeot is the one.