2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse SportbackMitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Mitsubishi - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementFamiliar hardwareUseful hatchback packagingSupercharger network accessModest base performanceTight rear-seat spaceSlow fast-charging speedThe 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV is both a comeback and a remix: Mitsubishi is returning to the U.S. EV market and lending one of its sportiest names to a practical electric crossover. Underneath, it should share plenty with the Nissan Leaf, but the mission is pure Mitsubishi.Small EV competitors should include the Leaf as well as the Chevrolet Bolt and Kia EV3.What's NewThe Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV joins the lineup for 2027 as a new all-electric crossover. Although it shares underpinnings with the Nissan Leaf, the Mitsubishi will receive unique styling details to help set it apart. These include:AdvertisementAdvertisementModel-specific front and rear fascias that echo other vehicles in Mitsubishi's global lineupDistinct front and rear lights and lighting signaturesDifferent alloy wheelsTriple Diamond brandingThis page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.Top-Ranked Competitors:Nissan LeafChevrolet BoltKia EV3PerformanceLike the Leaf on which it's based, the 2027 Eclipse Sportback should use a single front-mounted electric motor and front-wheel drive. In base form, output is expected to land at 174 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque, which should be enough for a 0–60-mph time of about 8.0 seconds.Higher trims should get the stronger 214-hp, 261-lb-ft motor. In MotorTrend testing, a Leaf Platinum+ with that setup reached 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and the Eclipse Sportback should deliver similar performance.EV Range and ChargingIf the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV follows the Nissan Leaf's hardware, expect two battery options. Models with the smaller 52-kWh pack should deliver roughly 200 miles of range, while versions with the larger 75-kWh battery could land between about 252 and 303 miles, depending on trim and equipment.AdvertisementAdvertisementCharging should be more convenient than the old Leaf's setup thanks to a dual-port layout. A J1772 connector on the driver's side handles Level 2 home charging, while a passenger-side NACS port allows DC fast charging and access to Tesla's Supercharger network.The downside is charging speed. In MotorTrend testing, the Leaf needed 36 minutes to charge from 5 to 80 percent, so the Eclipse Sportback EV may be easier to plug in than it is quick to recharge.Safety FeaturesBased on the Leaf's equipment and the driver-assist tech Mitsubishi already offers across its lineup, expected safety features include:Front and rear automatic emergency brakingRear cross-traffic alertBlind-spot monitoringLane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlCargo Space and Interior RoomAssuming it follows the Leaf's packaging, the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV should offer useful cargo space for a small electric crossover. Rear-seat room may be less generous than in some rivals, but the hatchback layout should make the Mitsubishi practical enough for daily driving and weekend errands.TechnologyAlthough Mitsubishi will use its own trim structure and options list, the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV should share much of its technology story with the Leaf. Lower trims are expected to feature dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, while higher trims should upgrade to larger 14.3-inch displays.AdvertisementAdvertisementMitsubishi should also keep the small EV well stocked with driver-friendly tech. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should be standard across the lineup. A standard 360-degree camera is expected, and available upgrades should include a wireless charging pad, head-up display, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.Audio equipment will likely vary by trim. Expect a basic four-speaker setup on entry models, a six-speaker system on midrange versions, and a 10-speaker premium audio system on higher trims.Eclipse Sportback—What's in a Name?The Eclipse Sportback name pulls from several corners of Mitsubishi history. "Eclipse" once belonged to the brand's sport compact coupe, with a four-generation run remembered for turbocharged engines, available all-wheel drive, and status in the 1990s tuner-car culture."Sportback" has its own Mitsubishi precedent, too. The Lancer Sportback brought a more useful five-door hatchback shape to the U.S. Lancer lineup, and this new EV applies a similar idea to a small electric crossover.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe electric part isn't entirely new ground for Mitsubishi, either. The brand sold the i-MiEV in other markets and brought it to the U.S. as the Mitsubishi i for the 2012 model year, making the Eclipse Sportback less a first step into EVs than a long-delayed return.Today's Eclipse Cross already stretched the Eclipse name from coupe to crossover, and the Eclipse Sportback EV pulls Mitsubishi's sporty-name nostalgia even further, into its electrified future.
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