Mitsubishi's Clone Of The Nissan Leaf Isn't All That Cheap

• The Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is based on the Nissan Leaf.
• Despite Mitsubishi's reputation as a budget brand, though, the Eclipse is actually more expensive than the Leaf.

Mitsubishi is preparing to launch its "Momentum 2030" business plan, its strategy to improve sales, bolster its model portfolio, and launch new electrified models. The car it is using to spearhead that initiative is the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV, which is essentially just a rebadged Nissan Leaf. However, despite its Leaf underpinnings, the Mitsubishi starts at $39,740, just over $8,000 more expensive than the 2026 Nissan Leaf.

Ok, ok, so the 2026 Leaf is the older model, and an updated version with a tweaked interior is coming for the 2027 model year. That's the version that the Mitsubishi is built on, so it has basically the exact same interior as the newer Leaf, and all of its available cabin tech. So the Eclipse's pricing might be more in line with the 2027 Leaf's when it debuts. Still, I don't expect the 2027 Leaf to cost $8,000 more than the 2026 model, so the Eclipse will probably still be pricier to start.

However, Mitsubishi claims that the Eclipse Sportback EV will come "exceptionally well-equipped." That could mean it's more comparable with one of the new Leaf's higher trim levels. Without knowing standard features for either model, though, it's impossible to say right now. All we know is that there will only be one option available, a $2,600 Technology Package. That will put it well over $40,000, which is a lot for a rebadged Leaf.

Photo by: Mitsubishi

Specs are mostly the the same, too. So the Eclipse comes with the same 75 kWh battery pack and 214-horsepower, single-motor, front-wheel drive powertrain. It also has a NACS port with 150 kW charging, with an identical claimed 10-80% charge time of 35 minutes. However, while the Mitsubishi has a claimed range of 282 miles, the Nissan Leaf has maximum EPA range of 303 miles.

Why the difference? The answer might lie in those aforementioned trim levels. The entry-level Leaf S+ FWD is the model with 303 miles of range, while the better-equipped Leaf SV+ model has 288 miles. So it seems as though the Mitsubishi might be starting at that SV-level of equipment.

Even if that's the case, though, the Leaf SV+ starts at $35,805 with destination charges. So it certainly looks like the Nissan is the cheaper option.

It will be interesting to see how customers react to having two slightly different looking Nissan Leafs on sale. The Mitsubishi might come with more equipment as-standard, and it might look a little bit better to certain eyes. But Nissan has the more robust dealer network and will almost certainly be the easier car to get. In the end, the best option may come down to which dealer is offering a better deal at the time of purchase.

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