Acura RSX EV Vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: A Recipe For Disappointment Or Simply Misunderstood?

Japanese carmakers are hard at work resurrecting iconic nameplates from the past. While some comebacks are well-received by enthusiasts, others are met with much less enthusiasm, and for good reason. The Acura RSX name returns, but similarly to what we saw with the Integra, it is not what people expected, and certainly not what enthusiasts wanted. 

The 2026 Acura RSX is no longer the lightweight, front-wheel-drive coupe we’ve come to know from the past, but instead, a fully-electric coupe SUV. This makes me draw parallels between the new RSX EV and another Japanese name that has “devolved” from its past greatness - the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. While somewhat different, I think what Mitsubishi did with its sports car nameplate can be viewed as a cautionary tale.

The Acura RSX wants to be enthusiast-centric, but enthusiasts already have a different opinion

Just yesterday, I did a quick overview of the 2026 Acura RSX electric SUV coupe. And while I think Acura has done a great job of coming up with an athletic competitor to the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, its main target is not the enthusiast. The same people who praised the old RSX for its handling and high-revving engine are not interested in a “driver-centric EV” (if such a thing exists… maybe the Taycan?).

Reddit discussions are livid as people have a lot to say about the new Acura RSX. A few among the contributors there like it, but for the most part, people don’t see this as an enthusiast car. Others “can’t wait to see the clear coat to start peeling off after five years”. Acura pointed out that the front suspension is double wishbone, which should hint at the 2026 RSX being a performance-oriented EV, but prospective buyers for this type of vehicle will not care much about that.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an unremarkable crossover in a competitive industry flooded by compact SUVs

Another great example of what not to do with iconic nameplates is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. As a sports car, the third and fourth generation Eclipse wasn’t particularly popular. It was early model years of the Eclipse that solidified it as a JDM icon, mostly thanks to the 4G63T turbo engine shared with the Lancer Evolution. 

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross came out  in 2017 and took everyone by surprise (not in a good way). The sports car name was slapped on a bland compact crossover that didn’t even get a potent engine option. The 1.5-liter turbo-four unit produced 152 horsepower (163 for some markets) and 183 pound-feet. The 0 to 60 mph sprint took 8.6 seconds. 

Some markets got a Plug-in hybrid with a 2.4-liter engine, but it was even slower and barely did 28 miles on a single charge. To top it all off, the Eclipse Cross is only available with a CVT. It isn’t competitively priced either, starting at $29,200. In the low-$30,000 range, you can do much better, with models like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V being available.

Acura RSX could just become another EV SUV for the sake of having a presence in the niche

Like the Eclipse Cross, the 2026 Acura RSX aims to cater to a completely different market compared to its forbearer. The Integra disappointed fans similarly when it came out, but this did not negatively impact the success of the model. 

Even with EV demand gradually decreasing in the US, there is still a niche for something like the all-electric Acura RSX and with an expected starting price of around $40,000, the Japanese model will no doubt snatch a few of the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s buyers. Do you think the Acura RSX EV will meet a similar fate to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, becoming just another offering in a sea of SUVs? Share your opinion in the comment section below.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image sources: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross press, 2026 Acura RSX press