The Road To Wollongong

Cara wagstaff puts the all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS SUV through its paces to see just how family-friendly it is.

I’ve got Australia’s newest SUV at my fingertips and am heading to Wollongong to test her out. Positioned in between the ASX and Outlander size-wise, the Eclipse Cross is the first of Mitsubishi’s new-generation models, which means it’s all-new from the ground up. The Eclipse Cross focuses on both comfort and connectivity without compromising on safety for families.

We’ve made great use of the flexible boot space, with its eight-way adjustable back seat, to pack for our weekend. The sliding seat base proves to be perfect for families with little ones with even littler legs who, like us, need to squeeze extra gear into the boot.

I slip into the spacious, elevated front seat and take in the smorgasbord of technology in front of me. There’s an LCD screen with the outside temperature and ECO Drive Support System and a seven-inch touch screen with the ability to access Apple Car Play and Android Auto, all controlled by a scrolling touchpad. As soon as I connect my phone, I’m able to use my maps navigation app, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music and podcasts.

The vehicle is also equipped with a reversing camera, seven air bags, forward collision mitigation (FCM), lane departure warning (LDW) and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, so parents can feel confident knowing systems are in place to keep attention and focus on the road. I feel like we’re in safe hands as we cruise into holiday mode.

On the road