Mitsubishi returns to the US EV market with a rebadged Nissan Leaf: the Eclipse Sportback costs $37,745, almost $8,000 more

Mitsubishi has announced pricing for the new 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV, its first electric car in the US since the i-MiEV was dropped in 2017. It starts at $37,745, plus a $1,995 destination fee, for a total of almost $39,740. Sales begin in October.

A Leaf with a different badge

The Eclipse Sportback EV is essentially a rebadged Nissan Leaf, a product of the alliance between the two Japanese automakers. It uses the same platform and the same 75 kWh liquid-cooled battery. The differences are about design: Mitsubishi's three-diamond logo and styling, plus an all-black synthetic leather interior.

The problem is the price. The 2026 Nissan Leaf starts at $29,990, so the Mitsubishi version costs almost $8,000 more. It also has less range: 282 miles EPA, compared with 303 miles for the base Leaf S+. The most expensive Leaf, the Platinum+, costs $38,990 but only manages 259 miles.

What you get

• a single option, the Technology Package, for $2,600;
• dual 14.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Google and route planning with Google Maps;
• a NACS port for fast charging, so access to Tesla Superchargers without an adapter, plus a J1772 port for AC;
• DC charging at up to 150 kW, with 10–80% in about 35 minutes, the same as the Leaf;
• a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery and powertrain.

Electrek notes that at this price the Eclipse Sportback costs more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($35,250), the Toyota bZ ($34,980) or the Kia EV3 Wind ($34,990), which has 321 miles of range.

The Eclipse Sportback EV is the first new model under Mitsubishi's Momentum 2030 plan for North America. A rugged, off-road version of the Outlander follows in early 2027, and Mitsubishi also wants to return to pickups, again together with Nissan.

The difference between US EPA range and European WLTP is explained in our guide to EV range.