That it survived when the others went the way of the DeSoto is a testament to Mitsubishi s commitment to the genre and the intelligence to hang onto a car that might not generate a ton of sales but always brings in showroom traffic. I used two Eclipses for this test, a Spyder GS, which uses a 2.4 liter 4-ctlinder, and a GT coupe, which features a 3.0 liter V6. Both were equipped fully and with 5-speed transmissions, ideal for this type of car. The snug confines of he Eclipse are surprising more spacious than its predecessor, and are deceiving as well. The cabin looks smaller than it is, especially when colored in sports black.
Lighter colors reduce the claustrophobia considerably.
This is largely visual and features no ergonomic advantages, but also no obvious disadvantages, either, unless you consider the odd radio display arrangement. While the radio is in the familiar location and is in easy and logical reach of front seat passengers, the channel readout is located in a central binnacle atop the dashboard, much in the way SUVs used to prop compasses in this location as if to save your life in Antarctica. Compounding the quirkiness is the size of the LCD window, which is 60 percent larger than it has to be, wasting the rest of a perfectly good calculator. Perhaps Mitsubishi will see fit to include computer functions in this space. Seats are snug buckets that offer good lateral support and adequate thigh support.