Jeep Cherokee vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The KL-generation Cherokee launched as a 2014 model and almost immediately began swirling in controversy. Jeep hadn’t offered a Cherokee in the United States since the 2001 model year, when the XJ Cherokee disappeared, replaced by two generations of the Jeep Liberty.

There was great excitement for this all-new Jeep. Lots of fans were hoping for a redo of the 1984 to 2001 Jeep Cherokee that really helped to define the midsize SUV class with a unibody and legendary toughness. “The 2014 Cherokee feels planted on the road, more carlike than trucklike…” read an early review in Car and Driver. A separate review from the same publication read: “If you have eyes, you’ve noticed that this Cherokee, code-named KL, makes no design references, other than with the grille, to the iconic, rectilinear XJ Cherokee.”

But the automotive industry isn’t necessarily in the business of fueling nostalgia. It’s interested in what it can sell in great numbers in the future, not what people liked 30 years ago. And what we’ve realized over the years is that the Cherokee is really good at what it does, and it’s capable of doing a lot more than you’d expect.

Jeep sells these at a rate of 240,000 annually, in a good year. The best the Jeep Liberty it replaced ever managed was 166,883 units before dropping off the face of the Earth entirely. Clearly, Jeep knew something we didn’t when it released the Cherokee.

Most entrants in the compact SUV segment seem to have their own personalities. The Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V are upscale. The Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester are designed for active lifestyles. The Hyundai Tucson is all about value (but it's trending upscale). The Kia Sportage offers value and is sporty, too. But what of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross? The bold styling indicates some level of performance. But as we will come to learn, it can barely back that up. Modern styling would indicate perhaps some of the latest technology. You won’t find that in here either. The Eclipse Cross has a low starting price, but for what you get, other more expensive rivals are actually a better value.

There are no cliffhangers or teasers here. The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross just can't keep up with the competition. But it does a few things right. Read on to learn what they are (ok maybe one cliffhanger).