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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Subaru Forester

2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs 2026 Subaru Forester — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 2Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross wins 3 of 5 categories
Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Subaru Forester is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 26 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $700 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Forester (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Forester is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has had fewer recall campaigns (2 vs 39).

The two cars

The 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 179 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,472 lb.

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.

Buying used? The 2023 Eclipse Cross and the 2024 Forester have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Eclipse Cross and the 2019 Forester.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

26 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
25 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
$2,600
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
180 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
179.1 in
Length
183.5 in
71.3 in
Width
72 in
66.1 in
Height
68.1 in
3,472 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,580 lb

Safety & reliability

–
Driver-assist features standard
14
0
Recalls (2026)
4
2
Recalls, all years since 2005
39
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
32

Interest

4,604
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,870

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2024
2018
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (2 vs 39 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Subaru Forester if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (35 vs 26 MPG)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

    2026 Subaru Forester

    • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
    • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
    • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
    • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

    Full 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross specs →Full 2026 Subaru Forester specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →