The Mitsubishi Eclipse Is Back . . . as a Leaf-Based Electric SUV
Key takeaways
- Mitsubishi already brought back the sports car's name on the Eclipse Cross SUV, and now it's doing it again with a new Nissan Leaf–based subcompact EV.
- Don't get too excited, though, because this isn't the return of the brand's low-slung sports car.
- If the shape looks familiar, that's because the Eclipse Sportback is a rebadged Nissan Leaf.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
Mitsubishi already brought back the sports car's name on the Eclipse Cross SUV, and now it's doing it again with a new Nissan Leaf–based subcompact EV.
Mitsubishi The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is a new small EV that is based on the Nissan Leaf.The front end features unique trim and a chunkier bumper, and the Eclipse Sportback also rides on neat wheels with a triangular design.Sales will start in late summer or early fall, with technical details and pricing to be released later.There's a new Mitsubishi Eclipse! Don't get too excited, though, because this isn't the return of the brand's low-slung sports car. No, just as Mitsubishi already recycled the Eclipse name for the underwhelming Eclipse Cross SUV, the automaker is doing the same for the 2027 Eclipse Sportback, a new subcompact electric SUV.
If the shape looks familiar, that's because the Eclipse Sportback is a rebadged Nissan Leaf. Mitsubishi and Nissan have grown increasingly intertwined, with Nissan holding a roughly 24 percent stake in its fellow Japanese automaker. We first heard about plans for a Leaf-based Mitsubishi EV last May, and now we finally have a sense of what to expect.