A bigger boot is among interesting changes.

THE updated Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross medium crossover becomes available at the end of the month, the local distributor has announced.

The vehicle achieves fresh looks, a revised chassis, new suspension – with a new rear shock to improve handling characteristics - and some specification alterations.

One intriguing alteration affects boot space; a redesign has added 140mm length to the rear, meaning it now has a 405-litre boot. While the body is longer than before, the wheelbase remains the same (at 2670mm) with the additional space eked out of a reconfigured cabin.

The model’s exterior lines and details have also altered, to attune to the brand’s latest design language.

A new alternating-pattern mesh grille design is featured up front, flanked by slender new LED daytime lamps that replace the larger headlights of the outgoing model – leaving the lower lighting assembly to act as driving lights.

The car also gets a redesigned hatch and rear window for improved visibility, integrating with updated tail-lights.

The interior revision includes a new touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and achieves additional driver assist technologies. Once again, there are two specification levels, XLS and VRX.

Forward Collision Mitigation remains standard across the range, however blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist – fundamental elements in most cars now – are introduced to the XLS.

A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine remains standard, with unchanged 110kW and 250Nm outputs, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

However, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has confirmed it will deliver a plug-in hybrid next year.

This comprises a 2.4-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder mated to electric motors mounted on each axle; so, a similar – if not the same – drivetrain as that featuring in the next size up Outlander PHEV, which is also about to undergo change.

With no major structural changes involved in the facelift, the new Eclipse Cross retains its five-star ANCAP rating, achieved before the test was toughened up at the start of this year.