Mitsubishi Eclipse Returns as an Electric Sportback SUV

Mitsubishi is reviving the Eclipse name in North America, but not as a coupe. The new 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback will be a fully electric subcompact SUV, developed with Alliance partner Nissan and based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf.

The model will arrive in the North American market in the second half of 2026, with sales expected to begin in late summer or early fall. Mitsubishi has not yet released technical specifications, pricing or final equipment details.

Although the Eclipse Sportback will share its basic hardware with the new Leaf, Mitsubishi says it will receive unique styling. The company has confirmed different front and rear fascias, model-specific lighting signatures, sporty alloy wheels and the brand’s Triple Diamond badging.

The first images show a compact crossover-like body with a sloping roofline, short overhangs and a more aggressive front end than the Nissan donor. The rear also gets its own lighting design and a wider, sportier stance.

For Mitsubishi, the name is important. The original Eclipse debuted in North America in 1990 as a sporty coupe and became one of the brand’s most recognizable models. The new Eclipse Sportback uses that heritage differently, turning the name into an electric crossover for today’s market.

The EV also fits into Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan, which calls for a broader lineup and more electrified models in the U.S. The company says it will launch at least one new or significantly revised vehicle every year through fiscal 2030.

Mitsubishi is also using the launch to remind buyers of its earlier EV experience. The brand began developing electric vehicles in Japan in the 1970s, later introduced the i-MiEV, and followed with the Outlander PHEV, one of the first plug-in hybrid SUVs sold globally.

The Eclipse Sportback will not be Mitsubishi’s only upcoming model. In early 2027, the company also plans to introduce a new rugged off-road derivative of the Outlander SUV.

More details on the Eclipse Sportback’s range, powertrain, charging speed and pricing will be announced closer to launch.