Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Volkswagen Atlas: Specs Compared
Also searched as Volkswagen Atlas vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 27 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2018–2026
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 28 configurations
2018–2027
Volkswagen Atlas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 25 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 26 mpg ✓ | 22 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,300 ✓ | $2,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 327 g/mi ✓ | 364 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AV-S8) | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2018–2026 | 2018–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 28 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Volkswagen Atlas dimensions and size
The Volkswagen Atlas is 21.7 inches longer than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross on a wheelbase 12.2 inches longer, and 970 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2026) | Volkswagen Atlas (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 in | 200.8 in | 21.7 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 71.3 in | 78 in | 6.7 in |
| Height | 66.1 in | 68.9 in | 2.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 117.3 in | 12.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3,472 lbs | 4,442 lbs | 970 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Volkswagen Atlas: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross burns about $2,300 of fuel annually against $2,450 for the Volkswagen Atlas. That $150 yearly gap compounds to roughly $750 over five years and $1,200 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the stronger commuter at 26 mpg city, while the Volkswagen Atlas pulls ahead on the interstate at 29 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is recorded with 1 distinct engine configuration (SIDI), the Volkswagen Atlas with 1 (SIDI). Across 28 recorded Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross configurations and 57 for the Volkswagen Atlas, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Volkswagen Atlas with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross emits 327 g/mile of CO2 versus 364 g/mile for the Volkswagen Atlas. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Eclipse Cross vs Atlas: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross or the Volkswagen Atlas?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 27 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross runs about $2,300 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,450 for the Volkswagen Atlas — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the Eclipse Cross and Atlas offer?
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: SIDI. Volkswagen Atlas: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and the Volkswagen Atlas as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More Eclipse Cross comparisons
More Atlas comparisons
Comparison id: mitsubishi-eclipse-cross-vs-volkswagen-atlas