Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is a rebadged Nissan Leaf
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- Mitsubishi announced the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV as the "global debut of an all-new fully electric vehicle," with a US and Canada launch set for late summer or early fall 2026 through roughly 300 US dealer partners.
- The vehicle is sourced from Nissan's Alliance partnership and is a rebadged next-generation Leaf; Mitsubishi changed only the front and rear fascias, lighting signature, alloy wheels, and Triple Diamond badging.
- Mechanical specs are identical to the 2026 Nissan Leaf: a 75 kWh liquid-cooled battery, a native NACS port for Tesla Superchargers, and 150 kW DC fast charging taking the pack from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes.
- Mitsubishi hasn't sold a standalone EV in the US since the i-MiEV was discontinued, with its current green offering limited to the Outlander PHEV; range and pricing for the Eclipse Sportback remain unannounced, though the comparable Leaf posts 259–303 miles of EPA range and starts at $29,990.
- Electrek's analysis frames the rebadge as a stopgap rather than a strategy: Nissan controls the platform, battery, software, and roadmap while Mitsubishi controls the grille, leaving Mitsubishi exposed if the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance ever reshuffles.
Why it matters: Mitsubishi gets a competitive electric crossover on sale by late 2026 without spending its own R&D, but Nissan owns the platform, battery, and software behind it — so any Alliance reshuffle leaves Mitsubishi with a nameplate and no real EV program. Buyers get another affordable EV in showrooms; Mitsubishi's long-term EV strategy remains undefined.
