The new Mitsubishi Eclipse is essentially a Nissan Leaf at its core.
Mitsubishi
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A few months back, a Mitsubishi prototype based on the Nissan Leaf was spotted undergoing testing on public roads. Today, the three-diamond brand has unveiled the vehicle's appearance and name: Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV. I don't dislike it.
As you may remember, there was some discontent from enthusiasts when Mitsubishi revived the Eclipse name nearly a decade ago for its Eclipse Cross compact SUV. I’ve noticed that many headlines regarding this new model echo similar sentiments. Naturally, the first and second-generation Eclipse were regarded as impressive sport compact cars featuring available all-wheel drive and Mitsubishi's famous 4G63 turbo-four engine— a platform that became highly sought after in motorsport and modification circles.
Later versions of the Eclipse were considerably heavier and less thrilling. Therefore, even as a dedicated fan of Mitsubishi’s 1999 lineup, I can’t say I’m particularly bothered by the Eclipse name being reused for a second time in 2026.
Here, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the exterior styling differences:
Eclipse Sportback EV in dark blue, Leaf in light blue. Mitsubishi, Nissan
In any case, the Eclipse Sportback EV is precisely what it appears to be: a Nissan Leaf with distinctive styling. There are some appealing details—the lower facias are quite nice, and I appreciate the three-spoke wheels. Given that the Leaf has received widespread acclaim as a good car, this model may actually draw some customers into Mitsubishi dealerships as the brand aims to revitalize its dealership network.
Mitsubishi has promised to share more details as the release date approaches, but it’s reasonable to assume that the specifications will align with the Leaf’s impressive features, offering around a 259-mile range with a starting price near $30,000.
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The new Mitsubishi Eclipse is essentially a Nissan Leaf at its core.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV is an affordable commuter vehicle built on the Nissan Leaf platform that surprisingly has a decent appearance.