2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$19,499 to $29,089

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.3

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(3 reviews)
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Preview summaryImage

The issues with the Eclipse have always been power and price. The 4-cylinder options have always been underpowered – except when fitted with a turbo – and the V6 options have always bumped the price into Mustang territory. For that money you’d get more power and rear-wheel drive (RWD) with the Mustang, two options that actual sports-car enthusiasts seem to prefer for some reason. It's a shame Mitsubishi never figured that out. Citing poor sales and shifted focus, Mitsubishi has decided to cancel its hefty little front-wheel-drive (FWD) sports coupe, and for its last year of production, things are little different.

To inaugurate the Eclipse’s demise, Mitsubishi planned… not much, actually. It planned to offer a Special Edition that wasn't all that special, but Mitsubishi decided not to produce it at the last second without telling anyone. So the Eclipse coasts into the classifieds with little pomp or circumstance. With GS, GS Sport and GT trims, the Eclipse even tries to sound sporty and fast, but mostly fails to deliver. The GS trims get a 162-hp 4-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual or an archaic 4-speed automatic that kills the little engine’s already lacking acceleration. Around town, things are fine, but at speed you’ll be left wanting with anything but liberal input via the accelerator, which will make it hard to achieve the 20 mpg city/27 highway rating the 4-speed claims. The manual offers better control of the engine’s meager power as well as an additional mpg on the highway, but will require frequent gear changes to keep up. No shocker there, as the 162 lb-ft of torque offered don’t arrive until 4,000 rpm.

However the GT gets a 5-speed automatic and a V6 engine with 100 extra lb-ft and 103 extra hp, and it suffers from no such power or operational penalties, short of the drop in mileage to 16/24. It’s eager and capable off the line and at speed, but doesn’t offer a manual transmission as an option. More significantly, the price for the GT starts at just shy of $30,000. For that money, you could have a V8 Mustang with RWD and your choice of 6-speed transmissions. That’ll get you 412 hp, 390 lb-ft of torque and still deliver 17/26 mpg. For an apples to apples comparison, the V6 Mustang will give you 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, plus it’ll top 30 mpg on the highway and costs only $23,000. No wonder the Eclipse is bowing out.

A special edition SE trim was supposed to mark the end of the Eclipse line with SE stripes along the rocker panels, as well as black mirrors and 18-inch wheels in dark gray. There were tech options inside, like a 650-Watt Rockford Fosgate stereo and heated leather seats, but it was only to be made available with the 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic for some reason. Perhaps Mitsubishi realized just how far from special this all seemed. At any rate, even this paltry offering failed to manifest.

Some fizzle, some fade, and some just end. The Mitsubishi Eclipse has tried to win our hearts over the last 20+ years whether as a coupe, convertible or movie star, but it never really landed on solid ground. Its cancellation in 2012 comes with little fanfare and less protest, doomed to nestle into the corners of the classifieds reserved for those rare beasts that leave the majority of the car culture crowd asking, “Why?”

Michael Perkins
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

User reviews for 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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User rating:
by Laura G
Jun 30, 2022
The car was exactly as advertised. It was clean inside and out. We checked the Kelly Blue Book value and it was higher than we paid which was good to see that we didnt over pay. Drives like a dream so all in all a great car so far.Jun 30, 2022
by Maria S
Jan 23, 2014
This is an awesome car that is very fun to drive. I feel very safe while driving it, but I have a hard time backing up. This little car can definitely hold it's own when it goes against stronger cars. Highly recommended.Jan 23, 2014
by Esteban L
Apr 16, 2012
mejor auto del mundo ... velosidad impecable con espacio interior muy grande !!! motor con mucho potencial , pinzas de frenos impecables .. autonomia muy buena, algo gastador pero eficiente en carreras !! luces blancas con motor cromado con llantas bajo perfil y neones clasicos!Apr 16, 2012

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Pricing

Original MSRP
$19,499 to $29,089
Price range
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Average price on CG
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YoY price change
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Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 140 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 4

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.31

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 50-50 split bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 140 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 4

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.21

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 50-50 split bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.21

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

Lights

Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 50-50 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt/slide · Sunroof: wind deflector

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.21

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 50-50 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: power glass · Sunroof: wind deflector

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.33

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

Lights

Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 50-50 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt/slide · Sunroof: wind deflector

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

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