For years, the Mitsubishi Eclipse name meant something very specific: a sleek, affordable coupe that could be modified, boosted and raced far beyond its price tag. It was a eye-catcher of ’90s tuner culture, a Fast & Furious-era poster car, and for many enthusiasts, Mitsubishi’s most emotional badge.
The original ran from 1990 to 2012. Its turbocharged variants became touchstones of '90s tuner culture - affordable, tuneable, and fast enough to embarrass far more expensive cars.
Now, the Eclipse is back — but not as a turbocharged coupe. The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback returns as a fully electric subcompact SUV based on the new-generation Nissan LEAF.
The Details of Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV
On June 9, 2026, Mitsubishi North America revealed the first images of the 2027 Eclipse Sportback - a brand-new, fully electric vehicle coming to U. S. and Canadian dealerships in late summer or early fall this year.
It is a subcompact electric SUV with a low, fastback-style roofline - sporty in shape, practical in purpose. Think daily commuter that doesn't look like one.
The car is built on the platform of the new-generation Nissan LEAF, through the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Mitsubishi has been upfront about this from day one their own press release says so plainly. And borrowing from the LEAF turns out to be a smart move, because the 2026 Nissan LEAF recently won KBB's Best New Model Award and Best Buy Award for EVs under $35,000.
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Exterior - What Mitsubishi Changed
Mitsubishi's designers reworked the front and rear bumpers, grille, headlights, rear lamps, rear gate, D-pillars, and wheels to give the car its own face.
- Front: Triple Diamond badge on the nose, a restyled bumper, and Mitsubishi's own lighting signature
- Rear: Opposing L-shaped taillights (borrowed from the front motif), bold Mitsubishi lettering across the trunk, and a redesigned bumper
- Sides: Subtly different C-pillar trim, unique alloy wheels, and faint striations on the side skirts
- Charging: A Level 1/2 charging port on the left fender, and an NACS fast-charge port on the right
What hasn't changed?
- Overall silhouette
- Roofline, doors, and greenhouse are shared directly with the LEAF.
Interior - What to Expect
Mitsubishi hasn't released any cabin photos yet. Full interior details are expected closer to launch. But since the platform is the LEAF's, here's what buyers can reasonably expect:
- Dual 12.3-inch screens on base trims, upgrading to a 14.3-inch panoramic display on higher trims with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Play Store built in J.D. Power
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- ProPilot Assist (adaptive cruise + lane centering) standard across the range, along with blind-spot warning, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera GreenCars
- A 10-speaker Bose audio system with headrest speakers on top trims - the driver's seat gets navigation and call audio directed to their ears only J.D. Power
- Panoramic roof that dims from clear to opaque at the press of a button
- 55.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with an optional underfloor organiser J.D. Power
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Range and Power
Mitsubishi hasn't officially confirmed these figures for the Eclipse Sportback yet - but all signs point to the LEAF powertrain carrying over unchanged. Full specs arrive closer to the on-sale date.
What Mitsubishi Said
No named executive quote accompanied the reveal - unusual for a launch this significant. The company let the images speak first, and stated in its press release:
"Based on the highly touted new-generation Nissan LEAF, the Eclipse Sportback EV will offer cosmetic changes that differentiate the two vehicles and make this model uniquely Mitsubishi."
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Who Is This Car For?
- First-time EV buyers who want real range without a scary price tag
- Urban commuters who need two charging ports, a smart cabin, and no range anxiety
- Families who want something smaller and sportier than the Outlander
- Value seekers who'd have bought a LEAF anyway, but want a badge with more personality
Expected pricing is somewhere around $31,000–$33,000.
The Bigger Picture
The Eclipse Sportback gives Mitsubishi dealers their first all-electric vehicle to sell since the i-MiEV was discontinued after 2017. That's a nine-year gap, ending this autumn.
It's a cornerstone of the brand's Momentum 2030 plan, a commitment to launch at least one new or significantly updated model every year through 2030. An all-new off-road Outlander derivative follows in early 2027.
Full pricing and specs drop in the coming weeks.