2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+67
Used Eclipse for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful V6 engine, comfortable front seating, relatively roomy cargo area.
Cons
- Hefty curb weight, sluggish acceleration on four-cylinder models, large turning circle, small backseat.
What’s new
A face-lift and other exterior styling changes make their debut for the 2009 model year, including a blacked-out front bumper and a tweaked rear end with a redesigned wing. The V6 GT model gets standard stability control and a new dual exhaust system that yields an itty-bitty horsepower boost. The SE and SE-V6 models have been dropped.
Edmunds says
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse is stylish and a decent performer when equipped with the V6 engine. But newer competitors offer better overall packages for the money.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$185/mo for Eclipse GS
Eclipse GS
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
For almost two decades, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been a mainstay of the affordable sport coupe market. Originally known for its turbocharged and all-wheel-drive performance, the Eclipse has become more comfort-oriented in recent years. But thanks to available V6 power and a sporty design inside and out, the Eclipse continues to be a solid choice.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse represents the car's fourth generation, on sale since 2006. This year, Mitsubishi has given the car a freshened look that takes styling cues from more expensive sports cars. The most noticeable aesthetic change is the large trapezoidal front grille, which is reminiscent of the latest Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Nissan's GT-R supercar. The 2009 Eclipse also gives up its "light focusing" headlamps in favor of projector beams, with high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps standard on the GT version. The powertrain and interior stay the same, although the GT trim level sees an extra 2 horsepower thanks to a new dual exhaust system.
These changes are minimal, however, and the 2009 Eclipse faces increasingly stiff competition from other sporty models in the $20,000-$30,000 range. The rear-wheel-drive Ford Mustang coupe gives V6-powered Eclipses a run for their money, although the Eclipse is more refined. Other moderately priced models with comparable or superior all-around performance include the Honda Civic Si and the supercharged Scion tC as well as "hot hatches" such as the Mazdaspeed3, Subaru WRX and Volkswagen GTI.
Don't get us wrong -- we still think the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a good choice for buyers prioritizing good looks and decent performance at an attainable price. But we do recommend that you shop around a bit before making a final decision.
Performance & mpg
The Eclipse GS comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 162 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic with manual shift control. The GT's 3.8-liter V6 produces 265 hp -- a smidge more than last year thanks to the new exhaust system -- and 262 lb-ft of torque. It's teamed with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic.
Fuel economy ratings for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse remain respectable, albeit not phenomenal. The GS gets 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission (23 combined), and 20 city/26 highway with the automatic. Naturally, the V6 doesn't fare as well, with a rating of 16/25 mpg (20 combined) for the manual and 17/25 for the automatic.
Safety
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse offers quite a bit of standard protection, at least for those riding in the front seat. Both trim levels come with antilock brakes, front seat-mounted airbags and side curtain airbags. Open head restraints protect front occupants, but are absent in the rear. Stability control comes standard on the GT but is not available on the GS.
Driving
The Eclipse's front-wheel-drive platform and considerable curb weight mean that the car does its best work in a straight line. The GT's V6 offers plenty of power, although spirited drivers will encounter wheelspin off the line and torque steer during hard acceleration. On four-cylinder models, acceleration tends to be sluggish. Handling is sporty enough, although the large turning circle can prove frustrating. All in all, the car is like an average student who goes far in life thanks to an inherent cool factor and impressive good looks.
Interior
The interior remains unchanged on the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Stylish touches, such as the flowing shape of the dash, pale blue instrument backlighting and unique door releases, still look modern but aren't made of the highest-quality materials. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the backseat seems more for decoration than function. Still, the hatchback body style and 50/50-split-folding rear seat make the Eclipse better than expected at carrying cargo.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse models
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse hatchback sport coupe comes in two trim levels: GS and GT. The GS comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, 50/50-split-folding rear seats and full power accessories. The standard six-speaker audio system includes a CD player and MP3 playback capability. An auxiliary audio jack isn't available. The V6-powered GT model bumps the wheel size up to 18 inches and adds xenon HID headlamps, foglamps, larger rear brakes, a rear spoiler, a compass and outside temperature display.
There are two major options packages for the Eclipse coupe. The Sun and Sound package, available on both the GS and GT, adds a sunroof, a rear window wiper, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, aluminum pedals, a rear cargo shelf and the compass and temperature display (GS). An especially notable addition with this package is the rockin' 650-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with satellite radio, a six-CD/MP3 changer and a 10-inch subwoofer. Steering wheel audio controls are also added.
The optional Premium Sport Package is available on the GT only and includes most of the options from the Sun and Sound package, with the addition of heated side mirrors, heated leather front seats, automatic climate control and a power driver seat.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#17 out of 46 among Compact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse from 2008-2022.$325/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.14x/yr
vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).11.3%
vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
5 star(62%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
48 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Eclipse Design Saved My Teen Driver
Eppie, 02/01/2009
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
My daughter was in a horrible accident yesterday in her 2008 Eclipse. I bought the car for the safety rating and airbags. She and her passenger flipped end over end 3 times before coming to a rest 50 ft from the highway on the roof of the vehicle. They were going 75 (the speed limit on this hwy). They both walked away with minor scratches. THANK YOU Mitsubishi for your excellent car … - it saved my kid's life.
5 out of 5 stars
I love my car
ken, 09/20/2008
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Great car. Handles like a much more expensive sports car with sporty styling. Great acceleration for a 4 cylinder and truly a fun drive. It is a 2 door hatchback that makes you excited to go anywhere. I couldn't be happier with it.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Love this car
Chas, 01/30/2010
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 2dr Hatchback (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
This car is the best performance and style value on the market. I looked at many others before deciding on the Eclipse GT Spyder. This car is hands down the most fun to drive for the money you can buy. Why this car doesn't get more respect from the "Professional Reviewers" is beyond me. Buy one, you will love it!
4.75 out of 5 stars
Love at first sight!
Rob, 03/26/2010
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
This car is awesome. The price was great! Especially for a car of this year and miles it came with. Before deciding to go for the Eclipse I looked at the Mustang and the Honda Accord Coupe but both these car lose in looks and Warranty. I'm thankful I bought this car even though its the GS model it comes with many standard features. It drives like a dream very fast and peppy for a 4cyl … engine. Miles per gallon are okay considering the weight of this vehicle and the safety features. Great car for the money!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eclipse since its last redesign.
2009 Eclipse Highlights
GS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,249 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $185/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Eclipse include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
Related Used 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Honda Passport 2020
- Used Audi A7 2019
- Used Lexus NX 300H 2017
- Used Ford Five Hundred 2012 For Sale
- Used Chevrolet Camaro 2021
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2010
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2020 For Sale
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse 2011
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse 2010
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2012
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2018
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2019
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2022
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse 2012
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 INFINITI Q50
- Aston Martin DBX 707 Price
- 2025 BMW X1 News
- 2023 Santa Fe Sport
- Lincoln Corsair
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT News
- Lexus Es300
- 2023 HR-V
- 2023 BMW X1
- Ford F 150 Lightning
Research other models of Mitsubishi
- 2023 Mirage G4
- Mitsubishibishi Mirage
- Mitzi Outlander
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
- Outlander Phev Hybrid
- Mirage G4 Car
- 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage
- Mitsubishi Sports Car
- 2023 Outlander
- 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Research similar vehicles
- Mini Cooper 4 Door Car
- Honda Civic 2024
- Mach E Mustang
- Acura RSX 2023
- 2023Prius
- Mazda Speed 3
- Toyota Corolla Im Hatchback
- GR Corolla For Sale
- Toyota Prius 2023
- Nissan Kicks2023
Other models
- New Lexus Is for Sale in Decatur, AL
- Used Lexus GS-460 in High Point, NC
- Used Volkswagen Gli in Cumberland, MD
- Used Cadillac XT6 in New City, NY
- New Lexus GX-460 for Sale in Twinsburg, OH
- Used Lexus RX-450HL in Costa Mesa, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Glc-Class-Coupe for Sale in Middleboro, MA
- Used Kia Ev6 in North Liberty, IA
- New Honda Prologue for Sale in Stanford, CA
- Used BMW M5 in Magnolia, TX