4WD/AWD manual SUVs choices are shrinking. Sadly, Subaru dropped that option in the newest Forester. Jeep is doing the same with the Renegade. In the U.S., the Subaru Crosstrek & Jeep Compass will stand alone with that option.
Personally, I don't think the Eclipse Cross is a terrible vehicle. It's also nothing special! Unless you are fan of Mitsubishi, what would draw you to that vehicle? Its horsepower (152 hp) is really no better than the non-turbo Outlander Sport (2.0L & 2.4L). It's mpg ratings aren't spectacular. The first time I saw one, I thought someone created a modern Aztek. Personally, I don't mind the old Aztek, but the general public thought they were ugly! Comparing the Eclipse Cross to the Aztek is not high praise. It surely doesn't draw people into the showroom.
In a drag race the Eclipse Cross will beat a Jeep Compass, but who really cares? Neither vehicle is bought for speed.
Mitsubishi offering vehicles that are different may be their best hope for success in the U.S. market. A merger with Nissan may hinder that? A vehicle that looks like a square box would have been more popular than the Eclipse Cross. I would drive a distance to check out the new Suzuki Jimny (if it was offered here). I would not drive a distance to check out something like the Eclipse Cross, because it's not all that different from everything else.
A quirky, small, 3-cylinder car that came across as cheap, reliable (good warranty), & economical got me into a Mitsubishi showroom. If the Mirage had been more like the Yaris or Fit, I would have bought a Yaris or a Fit! Toyota & Honda dealerships are well established. If the products are similar & cost about the same, why would I bother with Mitsubishi?
Mitsubishi best option is to shoot for the markets that are being overlooked by others rather than competing with the most popular ones. They should have kept their U.S. factory or build a new one. Affordable/reliable small pickup trucks would be a huge success! Someone please build them!!!!