Mitsubishi's New Eclipse Sportback EV Undercuts Rivals Less Than Expected, Priced Nearly $8,000 Above Nissan LEAF

Mitsubishi is reentering the U.S. electric vehicle arena with the 2027 Eclipse Sportback, but the price tag may raise eyebrows. The compact EV will start at $37,745 before a$1,995 destination charge, bringing the effective entry point to $39,740. A single Technology Package option adds another$2,600 for buyers seeking extra equipment.

The Eclipse Sportback is not a clean-sheet design. It rides on the same platform as the Nissan LEAF and shares its 75 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, a result of the two Japanese automakers’ long-standing alliance. EPA-estimated range for the Mitsubishi variant tops out at 282 miles, while the base Nissan LEAF S+ reaches 303 miles on the same battery. The highest-trim LEAF Platinum+ drops to 259 miles. Both cars feature a native NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access, and both support DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, enabling a 10% to 80% top-up in roughly 35 minutes.

Mitsubishi is positioning the Eclipse Sportback as more than a rebadged LEAF, promising distinctive styling and its own interior execution. The cabin features all-black synthetic leather and dual 14.3-inch digital displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus built-in Google services with Intelligent Route Planning. The base LEAF S+ makes do with smaller 12.3-inch screens, though higher LEAF trims step up to the 14.3-inch setup.

The pricing equation gets uncomfortable when compared to the broader market. At nearly $40,000 out the door, the Eclipse Sportback sits above several established volume EVs, including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 at$35,250 and the Toyota bZ at $34,980. It also runs roughly$8,000 higher than the new 2027 Kia EV3, which starts at $29,890 with a 58.3 kWh battery and 221 miles of range. Upgrading to the EV3 Wind, with an 81.4 kWh pack and up to 321 miles, still comes in cheaper at$34,990.

The Eclipse Sportback is the first product under Mitsubishi’s new North American strategy, called Momentum 2030, which calls for at least one new or refreshed vehicle each year through fiscal 2030. A redesigned Outlander SUV is expected next, followed by several adventure-oriented and off-road-capable models. Whether buyers will pay a premium for the Triple Diamond badge over its platform twin remains the central question as the EV reaches dealers this month.