2009 MITSUBISHI Eclipse 2.4L 5MT (162 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mitsubishi introduced the last update for the fourth-generation Eclipse in 2009, but it clearly didn’t have the money to make it the way it could do.

The Eclipse lineup used to have some serious sports versions, such as the turbocharged all-wheel drive version of the first two generations. Meanwhile, the fourth generation that appeared on the market in 2005 was made to look like a sports car, but it was mostly a relaxed-driving vehicle.

With the 2009 update, the Eclipse received some features that made it appealing to those who just wanted to show up in a sporty-looking car than in a true sports coupe. At the front, the bumper looked more aggressive, with a blacked-out center section that resembled the front side of a Mitsubishi Evolution. In addition, the round foglamps filled the side scoops of the front apron. At the back, depending on the version, the carmaker tried its luck with a chromed rear spoiler.

Inside, Mitsubishi kept the same hard plastic elements that made it look good just in pictures but not in real life. The standard seats were comfortable that did little to prevent their occupants from sliding. As an option, a set of bucket seats with high-bolstered areas offered the desired side support during high-speed cornering. Depending on the trim level, the Eclipse featured a Rockford-Fosgate sound system fitted with a bulky subwoofer in the trunk and an in-dash six-CD player.

Under the hood, the 2.4-liter powerplant did little to impress its driver or anyone else, especially if it was paired with the four-speed automatic. The 3.8-liter V6, on the other hand, gained two more horsepower but still was no true sports car. On the safety side, the automaker added the Active Stability Control (ASC) fitted as standard on the GT trim level.