Mitsubishi Eclipse Is Back, But It's Basically A Nissan Leaf
The Mitsubishi Eclipse was once a popular sports car known for its good looks, engaging driving dynamics, and cult following, helped in no small part by the Fast & Furious franchise. Now, the Eclipse name is returning once again, but not in the way many fans would have hoped.
Mitsubishi first upset enthusiasts in 2017 when it revived the Eclipse as a compact crossover called the Eclipse Cross. Now, it has gone a step further by removing the combustion engine altogether. The new Eclipse Sportback EV is an all-electric crossover based heavily on the latest Nissan Leaf.
More Leaf Than Eclipse
Under the skin, the Eclipse Sportback EV rides on the same CMF-EV architecture used by the Nissan Leaf, Ariya, and Juke. And on the outside, the similarities are hard to miss. The new Eclipse and Leaf share similar proportions, a fastback-style roofline, and much of their overall design. Mitsubishi has made a few styling tweaks to help set its version apart. Revised bumpers, unique trim pieces, and a body-colored rear panel in place of Nissan's black plastic treatment give it a slightly different look. Even so, there's little hiding the vehicle's origins. Mitsubishi has yet to reveal the interior, though it is expected to share much of its cabin design and technology with its Nissan counterpart.
How The Mighty Have Fallen
For many enthusiasts, the Eclipse name carries a lot of weight. Models like the Eclipse, Lancer Evolution, and 3000GT VR-4 helped establish Mitsubishi as a brand capable of building genuinely exciting cars, even if it never enjoyed the same level of popularity as some of its JDM rivals. Today, that performance-focused image has largely disappeared. In the United States, Mitsubishi's lineup consists entirely of crossovers and SUVs, including the Outlander, Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, Outlander Sport, and Eclipse Cross. The Eclipse Sportback EV will expand that range while giving the brand a foothold in the electric vehicle market.
Mitsubishi's Revival Plan
While the Eclipse Sportback EV is unlikely to satisfy buyers hoping for a modern sports coupe, it forms part of Mitsubishi's broader product strategy. The automaker plans to launch 13 new models over the next five years, including a pickup truck. The company also intends to revive the Pajero and Montero nameplates as it works to reclaim a place in the flagship SUV segment. Whether the new Eclipse wins over buyers remains to be seen, but its arrival makes one thing clear: Mitsubishi is looking to its past as it plans for the future.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 5:01 AM.