Fans of the original Eclipse weren't too thrilled when the name was repurposed on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV back in 2018. Now, several model years later, the Eclipse Cross just received its first major update that will soon arrive at US showrooms. The 2022 Eclipse Cross receives major styling updates, especially in the rear where it no longer resembles a Pontiac Aztec. At the front, a new Dynamic Shield grille design lines up better with recently updated Mitsubishi products like the 2021 Mirage and 2021 Outlander Sport.

Under the hood still sits a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 152 horsepower. Power goes out to front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive through a continuously variable transmission. Mitsubishi priced the base 2022 Eclipse Cross at $23,395 plus $1,600 for Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) on all trim levels.

For reference, the 2020 Eclipse Cross carried a $22,995 starting price, meaning the new 2022 model (the 2021 model was skipped over) is only $400 more expensive. There are five trim levels available, including the LE for $24,745; the SE for $26,145; SE with Panorama Package for $27,145; SEL for $27,395; and SEL with Touring Package for $29,495. The small price increases are more than justified by the improvements to this 2022 model.

For instance, the 2022 Eclipse Cross now offers an eight-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) system on LE trims and above. Mitsubishi has done away with the complicated touchpad controller, opting instead for a touchscreen that sits two inches closer to the driver and finally features volume and tuning knobs. TomTom is available optionally on this system, as is a clever myQ Connected garage door opener.

Mitsubishi made a ton of other improvements on the exterior and, most notably, eliminated the two-piece rear window design in favor of a one-piece assembly. This change makes the car more attractive and increases storage space to 50.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, or 23.1 cubic feet with the seats up. These measurements were only 22.6 and 48.9 cubic feet in the previous model. Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Cross is now five inches in overall length to provide more cargo space and a sportier appearance.

The updated 2022 Eclipse Cross will arrive at US showrooms later this year.